# Soyuz TM-2

> 1987 Soviet crewed spaceflight to Mir

**Wikidata**: [Q738200](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q738200)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soyuz_TM-2)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/soyuz-tm-2

## Summary
Soyuz TM-2 was a 1987 Soviet crewed spaceflight to the Mir space station, marking the second expedition to the orbital outpost. It launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome on February 5, 1987, and landed in Kazakhstan on July 30, 1987, after a duration of 178 days in space.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: February 5, 1987, from Baikonur Cosmodrome (Gagarin's Start)
- **Landing Date**: July 30, 1987, in Kazakhstan
- **Duration**: 178 days (15,045,956 seconds)
- **Crew**: Yury Romanenko (commander), Aleksandr Laveykin (flight engineer), and Muhammed Faris Al-Aqidi (research cosmonaut)
- **Spacecraft**: Soyuz-TM, a fourth-generation Soyuz spacecraft
- **Launch Vehicle**: Soyuz-U2
- **Orbital Details**: Low Earth orbit, 341 km periapsis, 365 km apoapsis, 91.6-minute orbital period
- **Orbits Completed**: 2,810
- **Orbital Inclination**: 51.6 degrees
- **Part of**: Soviet space program and Soyuz programme

## FAQs
### Q: Who were the crew members of Soyuz TM-2?
A: The crew consisted of Yury Romanenko (commander), Aleksandr Laveykin (flight engineer), and Muhammed Faris Al-Aqidi (research cosmonaut).

### Q: What was the mission duration of Soyuz TM-2?
A: The mission lasted 178 days, from February 5, 1987, to July 30, 1987.

### Q: What spacecraft and launch vehicle were used for Soyuz TM-2?
A: The mission used the Soyuz-TM spacecraft and was launched by the Soyuz-U2 carrier rocket.

### Q: Where did Soyuz TM-2 launch from and land?
A: It launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome (Gagarin's Start) and landed in Kazakhstan.

### Q: What was the orbital inclination of Soyuz TM-2?
A: The orbital inclination was 51.6 degrees.

## Why It Matters
Soyuz TM-2 was a pivotal mission in the Soviet space program, continuing the crewed expeditions to the Mir space station. It demonstrated the reliability of the Soyuz-TM spacecraft and the Soyuz-U2 launch vehicle, which were critical for maintaining the Soviet Union's presence in space. The mission also involved international collaboration, as Muhammed Faris Al-Aqidi, a research cosmonaut from the Arab Socialist Bahrain, was part of the crew. This mission contributed to the broader goals of space exploration, scientific research, and international cooperation in space.

## Notable For
- **First Expedition to Mir**: Soyuz TM-2 was the second long-duration mission to Mir, following Soyuz T-15.
- **International Crew**: Included Muhammed Faris Al-Aqidi, the first Arab astronaut to visit Mir.
- **Soyuz-TM Spacecraft**: Utilized the fourth-generation Soyuz-TM spacecraft, which improved upon previous models.
- **Soyuz-U2 Launch Vehicle**: Launched aboard the Soyuz-U2, a reliable carrier rocket for crewed missions.
- **Long-Duration Mission**: The 178-day mission set a precedent for extended stays on Mir.

## Body
### Mission Overview
Soyuz TM-2 was launched on February 5, 1987, from Baikonur Cosmodrome, carrying a crew of three to the Mir space station. The mission marked the second long-duration expedition to Mir, following Soyuz T-15. The crew consisted of Yury Romanenko (commander), Aleksandr Laveykin (flight engineer), and Muhammed Faris Al-Aqidi (research cosmonaut).

### Spacecraft and Launch
The mission utilized the Soyuz-TM spacecraft, part of the fourth-generation Soyuz series, and was launched by the Soyuz-U2 carrier rocket. The Soyuz-TM spacecraft was designed to improve upon previous models, offering enhanced capabilities for crewed missions to Mir.

### Orbital Details
Soyuz TM-2 operated in a low Earth orbit with a periapsis of 341 km and an apoapsis of 365 km. The orbital period was 91.6 minutes, and the spacecraft completed 2,810 orbits during its mission. The orbital inclination was 51.6 degrees.

### Crew and Objectives
The crew of Soyuz TM-2 conducted various scientific experiments and maintenance tasks aboard Mir. Muhammed Faris Al-Aqidi, a research cosmonaut from Bahrain, was part of the crew, making history as the first Arab astronaut to visit Mir. The mission lasted 178 days, from February 5 to July 30, 1987.

### Significance
Soyuz TM-2 was significant for its role in maintaining the Soviet Union's presence in space and for its contributions to international cooperation in space exploration. The mission also demonstrated the reliability of the Soyuz-TM spacecraft and the Soyuz-U2 launch vehicle, which were critical for future crewed missions to Mir.

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## References

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