# Soyuz TM-1

> uncrewed test spaceflight

**Wikidata**: [Q1632451](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1632451)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soyuz_TM-1)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/soyuz-tm-1

## Summary
Soyuz TM-1 was an uncrewed test spaceflight operated by the Soviet space program, serving as the inaugural flight of the new fourth-generation Soyuz-TM spacecraft. Launched on May 21, 1986, it successfully docked with the Mir space station before landing on May 30, 1986, in Kazakhstan. This mission was a critical step in validating the design and capabilities of the Soyuz-TM series.

## Key Facts
- **Instance of:** Uncrewed spaceflight, Soyuz-TM
- **Operator:** Soviet space program
- **Country:** Soviet Union
- **Launch Date:** May 21, 1986
- **Landing Date:** May 30, 1986
- **Launch Vehicle:** Soyuz-U2
- **Vessel:** Soyuz-TM (fourth generation Soyuz spacecraft)
- **Takeoff Mass:** 6450 kilograms
- **Duration:** 12960 minutes
- **Docking:** Docked with Mir space station on May 23, 1986, and undocked on May 29, 1986.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the primary purpose of Soyuz TM-1?
A: Soyuz TM-1 was an uncrewed test spaceflight designed to evaluate and validate the new fourth-generation Soyuz-TM spacecraft. It was the first flight of this particular vessel.

### Q: When did Soyuz TM-1 launch and land?
A: Soyuz TM-1 was launched on May 21, 1986, from Baikonur Cosmodrome. It concluded its mission with a landing in Kazakhstan on May 30, 1986.

### Q: Did Soyuz TM-1 dock with a space station?
A: Yes, during its mission, Soyuz TM-1 successfully docked with the Mir space station on May 23, 1986. It remained docked for several days before undocking on May 29, 1986.

### Q: What type of spacecraft was Soyuz TM-1?
A: Soyuz TM-1 was an uncrewed test version of the Soyuz-TM spacecraft, which is classified as a fourth-generation Soyuz spacecraft developed by the Soviet Union.

## Why It Matters
Soyuz TM-1 holds significant importance as the first uncrewed test flight of the Soyuz-TM spacecraft, a critical new generation of Soyuz vehicles. This mission was essential for the Soviet space program to thoroughly evaluate the design, systems, and operational capabilities of the Soyuz-TM before committing to crewed flights. The successful launch, orbital operations, and particularly the docking and undocking maneuvers with the Mir space station, demonstrated the spacecraft's readiness for future human spaceflight. By validating the new spacecraft's performance in an uncrewed capacity, Soyuz TM-1 paved the way for the Soyuz-TM series to become a reliable workhorse for transporting cosmonauts to the Mir space station and later playing a vital role in international space endeavors. Its success ensured the continued evolution and safety of Soviet and later Russian human spaceflight capabilities.

## Notable For
- Being the first uncrewed test flight of the fourth-generation Soyuz-TM spacecraft.
- Successfully performing docking and undocking maneuvers with the Mir space station during its test mission.
- Its role as a crucial precursor to the crewed operations of the Soyuz-TM series.
- Operating for a duration of 12960 minutes as an uncrewed test flight.

## Body

### Overview
Soyuz TM-1 was an uncrewed test spaceflight conducted by the Soviet space program. It was the inaugural flight of the Soyuz-TM spacecraft, which represented the fourth generation of Soyuz spacecraft. The mission's primary objective was to test the new vessel's systems and capabilities in space.

### Mission Details
Soyuz TM-1 was launched on May 21, 1986, from Gagarin's Start at Baikonur Cosmodrome. The launch vehicle used for this mission was a Soyuz-U2 carrier rocket. The spacecraft, with a takeoff mass of 6450 kilograms, was successfully placed into low Earth orbit. The entire mission lasted for a duration of 12960 minutes.

A significant event during the mission was its interaction with the Mir space station. On May 23, 1986, Soyuz TM-1 successfully docked with Mir. After several days, it undocked from the space station on May 29, 1986. The mission concluded with a landing in Kazakhstan on May 30, 1986.

### Spacecraft
The vessel utilized for this flight was the Soyuz-TM. This class of spacecraft was developed in the Soviet Union and was designed to be a more advanced version of the Soyuz series. Soyuz TM-1 served as the initial uncrewed flight test to ensure the readiness and safety of this new spacecraft for future crewed missions.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013