Credit: © Mark Wade. 2,448 bytes. 286 x 165 pixels.
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| Soyuz 7K-T - Credit: © Mark Wade. 2,448 bytes. 286 x 165 pixels. |
Version of 7K-T for flights to Almaz; unknown but probably minor differences with the Soyuz 7K-T model for Salyut. May have incorporated equpment designed for the Soyuz 7K-TK, which had been intended for docking with Almaz in 1966-1970.
Craft.Crew Size: 2. Design Life: 3 days. Orbital Storage: 110.00 days. Total Length: 7.5 m. Maximum Diameter: 2.7 m. Total Habitable Volume: 11.00 m3. Total Mass: 6,800 kg. Total Propellants: 500 kg. Primary Engine Thrust: 417 kgf. Main Engine Propellants: Nitric Acid/Hydrazine. Main Engine Isp: 282 sec. Total spacecraft delta v: 210 m/s. Electric system: 0.84 total average kW. Electrical System: Batteries.
Unmanned test flight of the Soyuz 7K-T(A9) Soyuz variant designed for docking with the military Almaz space station. Recovered May 29, 1974 7:50 GMT.
On 4 July Soyuz 14 docked with the Salyut 3 space station after 15 revolutions of the earth. The planned experimental program included manned military reconnaissance of the earth's surface, assessing the fundamental value of such observations, and some supplemental medico-biological research. All objectives were successfully completed and the spacecraft was recovered on July 19, 1974 at 12:21 GMT, landing within 2 km of the aim point 140 km SE Dzkezkazgan. After the crew's return research continued in the development of the on-board systems and the principles of remote control of such a station.
Soyuz 15 was to conduct the second phase of manned operations aboard the Salyut 3 military space station, but the Igla rendezvous system failed and no docking was made. The two day flight could only be characterised as '... research in manoeuvring and docking with the OPS in various modes, and development of methods for evacuation and landing from space complex in new conditions....' The crew was recovered on August 28, 1974 20:10 GMT. Officially: Conduct of joint experiments with the Salyut-3 orbital scientific station.
Unmanned long duration test of the Soyuz transport vehicle; docked with Salyut 4. Recovered February 16, 1976 2:24 GMT. Comprehensive checking of improved on-board systems of the space craft under various flight conditions. Carried a biological payload. Living organisms were exposed to three months in space.
Manned two crew. Docked with Salyut 5. Conduct of joint experiments with the Salyut-5 orbital research station. Mission was to last for two months; cut short by a gradually worstening illness of Zholobov. Landed 200 km SW Kokchetav. Recovered August 25, 1976 18:33 GMT.
Soyuz 23 was to have docked with the Salyut 5 space station but its long-distance rendezvous system failed. It landed at night (October 16, 1976 17:46 GMT), in a snowstorm, in -20 deg C weather, on the surface of Lake Tengiz. The recovery crews did not find the capsule until the next morning, and were surprised to find the crew alive.
Docked with Salyut 5. A busy, successful mission, accomplishing nearly as much as the earlier Soyuz 21's 50 day mission. Recovered February 25, 1977 9:38 GMT. Landed 37 km NE Arkalyk.
Manned two crew. Docked with Salyut 6. Placed on board the Salyut-6 station, under the Intercosmos programme, a second, international, crew consisting of P.I. Klimuk (USSR) and M. Hermaszewski (Poland) to conduct scientific investigations and experiments. Recovered July 4, 1978 13:30 GMT