[FPSPACE] How tightly are the Soyuz modules bolted together?

[Jim Oberg]

If the Soyuz modules (DM and PO) did not separate cleanly when commanded to 
last Saturday, how much force was required to complete the separation, and 
where did that force come from?

Since the 1969 very-near-disaster (and I talked with Volynov for an hour 
about that in 2005, getting some corrections to my own 2002 narrative of the 
incident, mainly how he survived post-landing), apparently the force 
required to pull away has been designed to be much gentler. No unyielding 
cables or bolts, just nested slip-joints and plugs held in place during 
launch (and orbital maneuvers) by thrust vectors and minimal tightness, but 
ready to slip free with far less force than required in the 1960s.

Still, doesn't the SAS (escape tower) firing sequence still show the entire 
spacecraft, PO (equipment section) included, pulling free at tower firing, 
and then the PO being separated and falling out of the aero shroud before 
the DM (descent module) does? That implies VERY strong bolt connectors. Or 
is the fully fuelled PO left atop the third stage from the moment of 
initiation of the escape system? This requires only strong BO/DM bolts.