russian union known mission 39th final human space station crew mission sent privately funded company repair station crew station boosted station orbit low point high point kilometers miles respectively boost station orbit utilizing engines progress spacecraft transit impossible desired nasa mission privately funded mission space station mission effort aging space station nearing end operational life commercially funded missions originally planned continue restoration efforts year old space station insufficient funding investment ultimately led orbit station early crew flight commander completed general training years later visit space flight engineer completed general training served flight engineer aboard missions respectively backup crew orbit second privately funded mission planned continue restoration efforts aboard crew assigned mission flown reported backup crew background intended series missions year old space station commercial use mission scheduled approximately months commander said flight additional funds available mission extended august crew replace possible scenario occurred reality leave station months mission end plans formed send privately funded mission continue maintenance efforts tentatively assigned crew mission highlights launched april docking occurred april docking system automated normal conditions final meters approach station executed manual mode decision switch manual mode came noticed small spacecraft approach targeted docking port day docking crew prepared open spacecraft station entering station crew stabilized atmosphere inside undertook routine maintenance work april progress resupply mission progress launched station deliver supplies crew progress docked april april progress spacecraft docked february boost station higher orbit pacific_ocean east new_zealand mission took place utc primary objectives repair damage exterior components record station hull order experts earth analyze effects space station inspected solar array module station discovered burnt wire connecting array steering system preventing proper rotation array subsequently deemed loss june spacecraft station orbit burn occurred landing followed june kilometers southeast privately funded manned space expedition achieved including privately funded extra activity privately funded resupply mission space station utilizing progress spacecraft managed delay orbit originally scheduled occur time ultimately occurred march
Soyuz TM-30