# Soyuz TM-17

> 1993 Russian crewed spaceflight to Mir

**Wikidata**: [Q1540613](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1540613)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soyuz_TM-17)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/soyuz-tm-17

## Summary
Soyuz TM-17 was a 1993 Russian crewed spaceflight to the Mir space station, part of the Soyuz programme. It carried three crew members, including a French researcher, and lasted approximately 197 days. The mission demonstrated international cooperation and the reliability of the Soyuz-TM spacecraft.

## Key Facts
- **Mission Dates**: Launched on July 1, 1993; landed on January 14, 1994.
- **Crew**: Commander Vasily Tsibliyev, Flight Engineer Aleksandr Serebrov, and Research Cosmonaut Jean-Pierre Haigneré (during takeoff).
- **Spacecraft**: Soyuz-TM (fourth generation), launched by a Soyuz-U2 rocket from Baikonur Cosmodrome.
- **Orbital Details**: 3,070 orbits completed; orbital period of 92.4 minutes; altitude between 388–397 km.
- **Preceded By**: Soyuz TM-16; **Followed By**: Soyuz TM-18.
- **Mass at Takeoff**: 7,150 kg.
- **COSPAR ID**: 1993-043A.
- **Operator**: Roscosmos State Corporation.

## FAQs
### Q: How long did the Soyuz TM-17 mission last?
A: The mission lasted 16,998,322 seconds (approximately 197 days), from July 1, 1993, to January 14, 1994.

### Q: Who was part of the Soyuz TM-17 crew?
A: The crew included Russian Commander Vasily Tsibliyev, Flight Engineer Aleksandr Serebrov, and French Research Cosmonaut Jean-Pierre Haigneré (during takeoff).

### Q: What was the significance of Soyuz TM-17?
A: The mission supported operations on the Mir space station, facilitated international collaboration (with France), and highlighted the Soyuz spacecraft's role in sustaining long-term human presence in space.

## Why It Matters
Soyuz TM-17 played a critical role in maintaining the Mir space station’s operations during a pivotal period for international space cooperation. The inclusion of French Research Cosmonaut Jean-Pierre Haigneré underscored growing collaboration between Russia and other nations, setting a precedent for future joint missions. The mission also demonstrated the reliability and endurance of the Soyuz-TM spacecraft, which was essential for crew rotations and resupply missions. By ensuring a continuous human presence on Mir, TM-17 contributed to advancements in microgravity research, space technology, and the operational experience necessary for long-duration spaceflight—key foundations for later projects like the International Space Station.

## Notable For
- **International Collaboration**: Carried French Research Cosmonaut Jean-Pierre Haigneré, marking a significant example of post-Soviet space cooperation.
- **Long-Duration Mission**: Spent nearly 200 days in orbit, reflecting the Soyuz-TM’s capability to support extended stays on Mir.
- **Orbital Achievements**: Completed 3,070 orbits at an altitude of 388–397 km with a 51.65° inclination.
- **Soyuz Programme Milestone**: Represented the fourth generation of Soyuz spacecraft, emphasizing incremental improvements in Soviet/Russian space technology.

## Body
### Mission Overview
Soyuz TM-17 launched on July 1, 1993, from **Gagarin's Start** at Baikonur Cosmodrome, carrying a crew to relieve the existing Mir residents. The spacecraft docked with Mir on July 2 and undocked on January 14, 1994, landing safely in Kazakhstan.

### Crew
- **Vasily Tsibliyev**: Commander of the mission.
- **Aleksandr Serebrov**: Flight Engineer 1.
- **Jean-Pierre Haigneré**: French Research Cosmonaut (participated during takeoff as part of the **Mir-Perseus** program).

### Spacecraft and Launch Vehicle
- **Soyuz-TM**: A fourth-generation Soyuz spacecraft designed for crewed missions to Mir.
- **Soyuz-U2 Rocket**: The launch vehicle used for the mission, a variant of the Soyuz-U with improved engines.

### Orbital Parameters
- **Periapsis/Apoapsis**: 388 km / 397 km.
- **Orbital Inclination**: 51.65°.
- **Orbital Period**: 92.4 minutes.

### Legacy
The mission ensured the continued operation of Mir, supported scientific experiments, and reinforced Russia’s role in space exploration during a transitional post-Soviet era. Its success paved the way for future international partnerships, including those involving the International Space Station.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Soyuz TM-17",
  "description": "1993 Russian crewed spaceflight to Mir",
  "url": "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q22704",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soyuz_TM-17",
    "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Soyuz_TM-17"
  ],
  "additionalType": ["Spacecraft", "Human spaceflight"]
}

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. [Source](http://www.spacefacts.de/mission/english/soyuz-tm-17.htm)