# Soyuz TM-14

> the 14th expedition to the Mir space station

**Wikidata**: [Q611541](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q611541)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soyuz_TM-14)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/soyuz-tm-14

## Summary
Soyuz TM-14 was a human spaceflight mission conducted by Russia and the 14th expedition to the Mir space station. Launched on March 17, 1992, the mission utilized a Soyuz-TM spacecraft and marked a transitional period in space exploration following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The crew conducted 2,280 orbits around Earth before landing in Kazakhstan on August 10, 1992.

## Key Facts
- **Mission Type:** Human spaceflight and 14th expedition to the Mir space station.
- **Operator:** Roscosmos State Corporation.
- **Country:** Russia.
- **Launch Date:** March 17, 1992.
- **Launch Site:** Baikonur Cosmodrome (Gagarin's Start).
- **Launch Vehicle:** Soyuz-U2.
- **Landing Date:** August 10, 1992.
- **Landing Location:** Kazakhstan.
- **Spacecraft Mass:** 7,150 kg (takeoff).
- **Orbital Stats:** Periapsis 373 km; Apoapsis 394 km; Inclination 51.64 degrees; Orbital period 92.2 minutes.
- **Duration:** 12,579,032 seconds.
- **COSPAR ID:** 1992-014A.

## FAQs
### Q: Who were the crew members of Soyuz TM-14?
A: The crew included Aleksandr Viktorenko (Spacecraft Commander) and Aleksandr Kaleri (Flight Engineer 1). Klaus-Dietrich Flade served as Research Cosmonaut during takeoff, while Michel Tognini served as Research Cosmonaut during landing.

### Q: What spacecraft and rocket were used for this mission?
A: The mission used the Soyuz-TM spacecraft, which is a fourth-generation Soyuz vehicle, launched atop a Soyuz-U2 carrier rocket.

### Q: How long did the Soyuz TM-14 mission last?
A: The mission lasted approximately 12,579,032 seconds, during which the spacecraft completed 2,280 orbits of Earth.

### Q: What was the significance of the launch site?
A: The mission launched from "Gagarin's Start" at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, the historic launch pad used for the first human spaceflight.

## Why It Matters
Soyuz TM-14 holds significant historical importance as it was the first manned spaceflight launched by the Russian Federation following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. While the preceding mission, Soyuz TM-13, was designated as a Soviet mission, TM-14 marked the formal transition of human spaceflight operations to Russia and the Roscosmos State Corporation.

The mission also facilitated continued international cooperation in space. It transported Klaus-Dietrich Flade, a German cosmonaut, to the Mir station, reinforcing the role of space exploration as a diplomatic bridge during a time of geopolitical shift. By successfully executing the 14th expedition to Mir, the mission ensured the continuous habitation and operation of the space station during a tumultuous period in history, bridging the gap between the Soviet-era space program and the modern Russian era.

## Notable For
- **First Russian Manned Mission:** It was the first crewed spaceflight operated by Russia rather than the Soviet Union.
- **International Crew Exchange:** The mission involved a crew swap where a German researcher launched with the team and a French researcher returned, highlighting international collaboration.
- **High Orbital Volume:** The mission completed 2,280 orbits over approximately 145 days.
- **Soyuz-TM Class:** It utilized the Soyuz-TM, the fourth generation of the Soyuz spacecraft, specifically designed for Mir station dockings.

## Body

### Mission Profile
Soyuz TM-14 served as the 14th expedition to the Mir space station. It launched successfully on March 17, 1992, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, specifically utilizing the "Gagarin's Start" launch complex. The spacecraft entered a low Earth orbit with a periapsis of 373 kilometers and an apoapsis of 394 kilometers. It maintained an orbital inclination of 51.64 degrees and an orbital period of 92.2 minutes.

### Crew and Personnel
The mission was commanded by Aleksandr Viktorenko, with Aleksandr Kaleri serving as the Flight Engineer 1. The research cosmonaut role was dynamic: Klaus-Dietrich Flade participated in the launch phase (takeoff), while Michel Tognini joined the crew for the return journey (landing).

### Technical Specifications
The vessel was a Soyuz-TM class spacecraft, part of the wider Soyuz programme. It had a launch mass of 7,150 kilograms. The mission was propelled into orbit using a Soyuz-U2 carrier rocket.

### Timeline and Conclusion
After a duration of 12,579,032 seconds, the mission concluded with a landing in Kazakhstan on August 10, 1992. The mission was preceded by Soyuz TM-13 and succeeded by Soyuz TM-15.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Soyuz TM-14",
  "description": "The 14th expedition to the Mir space station and the first manned Russian spaceflight.",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soyuz_TM-14"
  ],
  "additionalType": "SpaceMission",
  "identifier": {
    "@type": "PropertyValue",
    "name": "COSPAR ID",
    "value": "1992-014A"
  }
}

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. [Source](http://www.spacefacts.de/mission/english/soyuz-tm-14.htm)