# Soyuz 3

> crewed flight of the Soyuz programme

**Wikidata**: [Q619811](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q619811)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soyuz_3)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/soyuz-3

## Summary

Soyuz 3 is a Soviet spacecraft classified as a Soyuz 7K-OK[1].

## Summary
Soyuz 3 was a crewed spaceflight of the Soviet Soyuz programme, launched on October 26, 1968, and piloted by cosmonaut Georgy Beregovoy. It marked the first successful solo mission of the Soyuz 7K-OK spacecraft, completing 81 orbits over nearly four days before landing in Kazakhstan.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: October 26, 1968, from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31.
- **Crew**: Single cosmonaut, Georgy Beregovoy (spacecraft commander).
- **Duration**: 3 days, 22 hours, 50 minutes, and 45 seconds (341,445 seconds).
- **Orbits**: 81 completed orbits of Earth.
- **Spacecraft**: Soyuz 7K-OK, part of the first-generation Soyuz spacecraft.
- **Mass**: 6,575 kg at takeoff.
- **Orbital Parameters**: Apoapsis of 205 km, periapsis of 183 km, inclination of 51.67°.
- **Call Sign**: "Argon" (Аргон).
- **Followed By**: Soyuz 4, the next mission in the programme.
- **Manufacturer**: S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia.

## FAQs
### Q: Who piloted Soyuz 3?
A: Soyuz 3 was piloted by Soviet cosmonaut Georgy Beregovoy, who served as the spacecraft commander.

### Q: How long did Soyuz 3 stay in orbit?
A: The mission lasted 3 days, 22 hours, 50 minutes, and 45 seconds, completing 81 orbits around Earth.

### Q: What was the purpose of Soyuz 3?
A: Soyuz 3 was a test flight to demonstrate the capabilities of the Soyuz 7K-OK spacecraft, including rendezvous and docking maneuvers, though it did not successfully dock with the uncrewed Soyuz 2.

### Q: Where did Soyuz 3 land?
A: The spacecraft landed in Kazakhstan on October 30, 1968.

### Q: What was the call sign of Soyuz 3?
A: The mission used the call sign "Argon" (Аргон).

## Why It Matters
Soyuz 3 was a critical mission in the early Soviet space program, serving as a proving ground for the Soyuz spacecraft's systems and operational procedures. As the first successful solo flight of the Soyuz 7K-OK, it helped validate the spacecraft's design for future crewed missions, including rendezvous and docking operations. The mission also demonstrated the Soviet Union's continued progress in space exploration following the tragic Soyuz 1 flight, which had resulted in the death of cosmonaut Vladimir Komarov. Soyuz 3's success paved the way for subsequent Soyuz missions, contributing to the development of long-duration spaceflight and orbital station operations. Its achievements were foundational for later Soviet and Russian space endeavors, including the Salyut and Mir space stations, as well as the ongoing International Space Station (ISS) program.

## Notable For
- **First Successful Solo Soyuz Mission**: Soyuz 3 was the first successful crewed flight of the Soyuz 7K-OK spacecraft after the failure of Soyuz 1.
- **Long-Duration Flight**: Completed 81 orbits over nearly four days, demonstrating the spacecraft's endurance.
- **Rendezvous Attempt**: Attempted to rendezvous with the uncrewed Soyuz 2, though docking was not achieved.
- **Veteran Cosmonaut**: Georgy Beregovoy, the mission commander, was the oldest person to fly in space at the time (age 47).
- **Technical Validation**: Proved the viability of the Soyuz spacecraft for future missions, including docking and crew transfer operations.

## Body
### Mission Overview
Soyuz 3 was launched on October 26, 1968, from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31 using a Soyuz launch vehicle. The mission was part of the Soviet Union's efforts to test the Soyuz 7K-OK spacecraft, which was designed for crewed spaceflight, including rendezvous and docking maneuvers.

### Crew and Spacecraft
- **Crew**: Georgy Beregovoy (spacecraft commander).
- **Backup Crew**: Vladimir Shatalov.
- **Spacecraft**: Soyuz 7K-OK, a first-generation Soyuz spacecraft with a mass of 6,575 kg at takeoff.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Soyuz rocket.

### Mission Objectives
The primary objectives of Soyuz 3 included:
- Testing the Soyuz spacecraft's systems in orbit.
- Attempting a rendezvous with the uncrewed Soyuz 2 spacecraft, which had been launched the day before.
- Demonstrating the spacecraft's ability to perform orbital maneuvers and re-entry.

### Orbital Parameters
- **Apoapsis**: 205 km.
- **Periapsis**: 183 km.
- **Inclination**: 51.67°.
- **Orbital Period**: 88.3 minutes.

### Mission Timeline
- **Launch**: October 26, 1968.
- **Rendezvous Attempt**: Beregovoy attempted to manually dock with Soyuz 2 but was unsuccessful due to fuel constraints and orientation issues.
- **Landing**: October 30, 1968, in Kazakhstan.

### Significance and Legacy
Soyuz 3's success was crucial for the Soviet space program, as it restored confidence in the Soyuz spacecraft following the fatal Soyuz 1 mission. The mission's data and experience informed subsequent Soyuz flights, including the first successful docking between Soyuz 4 and Soyuz 5 in January 1969. Soyuz 3 also highlighted the importance of manual control systems in spaceflight, as Beregovoy's piloting skills were put to the test during the rendezvous attempt.

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## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. [Source](http://www.spacefacts.de/mission/english/soyuz-3.htm)