Special “landing sites” have been prepared all over the world to provide support in case of Soyuz TMA-16 contingency landing, Interfax quotes Andrey Prianishnikov, Deputy DG, Air Traffic State Corp.
Soyuz TMA-16 crew vehicle is due to return on March 18, with the ISS-22 crew on-board. The Soyuz reentry capsule is estimated to land about 55 km to North-East from the city of Arkalyk, Kazakhstan. However, 12 other landing sites have been prepared outside Russia and Kazakhstan. In line with the international agreement, if the Soyuz lands at one of these sites, search and rescue teams of the country which receives the vehicle will provide their initial care services. Once all necessary procedures are completed, the crew and the vehicle will be returned to Russia.
Soyuz TMA-16 will return Russian Maxim Suraev and US Jeffrey Williams to the Earth after their 6-month mission onboard the International Space Station.
Next ISS three crew members are scheduled to fly from Baikonur aboard Soyuz TMA-18 on April 2, Lenta.ru informs.
