The
Soyuz-TMA is a recent revision of the
Soyuz spacecraft, superseded in 2010 by the
Soyuz TMA-M. (T – транспортный –
Transportnyi – meaning transport, M – модифицированный –
Modifitsirovannyi – meaning modified, A – антропометрический, –
Antropometricheskii meaning
anthropometric). It is used by the
Russian Federal Space Agency for
human spaceflight. The spacecraft features several changes to accommodate requirements requested by
NASA in order to service the
International Space Station, including more latitude in the height and weight of the crew and improved parachute systems. It is also the first expendable vehicle to feature a "
glass cockpit". Soyuz-TMA looks identical to the earlier
Soyuz-TM spacecraft on the outside, but interior differences allow it to accommodate taller occupants with new adjustable crew couches.