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Soyuz 13

Person · Russia

Original archive entry. The text, images and links below are kept as they were written.

Soyuz 13
Soyuz 13
Soyuz 13 drawing exhibited at Armenian Pavilion, Hannover Expo 2000.
Credit: © Mark Wade

First Byelorussian astronaut. First space mission devoted to a single scientific instrument. A unique flight of the 7K-T/AF modification of the Soyuz spacecraft. The orbital module was dominated by the large Orion 2 astrophysical camera.

A unique flight of the 7K-T/AF modification of the Soyuz spacecraft. The orbital module was dominated by the large Orion 2 astrophysical camera. The crew conducted astrophysical observations of stars in the ultraviolet range. Additional experiments included spectrozonal photography of specific areas of the earth's surface, and continued testing of space craft's on-board systems. Recovered December 26, 1973 8:50 GMT. Landed in snowstorm 200 km SW Karaganda.

After the Soyuz 11 disaster, the Soyuz underwent redesign for increased reliability. Two solo test flights of the new design were planned. The second mission would include installation of a large astrophysical camera. Crews for the second mission, Soyuz-13, were first named in July 1973: Vorobyev/Yazdovskiy (Prime); Klimuk/Sevastyanov (Backup); Kovalenok/Ponomarev (Support). These assignments were changed a month later to: Vorobyev/Yazdovskiy(Prime); Klimuk/Ponomarev (Backup); Kovalenok/Sevastyanov (Support). They were again revised in September 1973 to Vorobyev/Yazdovskiy (Prime); Klimuk/Lebedev (Backup); Kovalenok/Ponomarev (Support). But just before launch Klimuk/Lebedev were named as the prime crew. Maneuver Summary:
189km X 247km orbit to 186km X 255km orbit. Delta V: 2 m/s
186km X 255km orbit to 223km X 256km orbit. Delta V: 10 m/s
Total Delta V: 12 m/s.

More at: Soyuz 13.

Country
Russia
Spacecraft
Soyuz 7K-T
Projects
Salyut
Launch Sites
Baikonur
Agency
MOM

Chronology

2 events

1973 December 18

11:55 GMT - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC1. LV Family: R-7. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511.
  • Soyuz 13 - . Call Sign: Kavkas (Caucasus ). Crew: Klimuk, Lebedev. Backup Crew: Vorobyov, Yazdovsky. Payload: Soyuz 7K-T s/n 33A. Mass: 6,560 kg (14,460 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: MOM. Program: Salyut. Class: Manned. Type: Manned spacecraft. Flight: Soyuz 13. Spacecraft Bus: Soyuz. Spacecraft: Soyuz 7K-T. Duration: 7.87 days. Decay Date: 1973-12-26 . USAF Sat Cat: 6982 . COSPAR: 1973-103A. Apogee: 247 km (153 mi). Perigee: 188 km (116 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. Period: 88.80 min.

    A unique flight of the 7K-T/AF modification of the Soyuz spacecraft. The orbital module was dominated by the large Orion 2 astrophysical camera. The crew conducted astrophysical observations of stars in the ultraviolet range. Additional experiments included spectrozonal photography of specific areas of the earth's surface, and continued testing of space craft's on-board systems.

1973 December 26