# Soyuz TM-21

> 1995 spaceflight to Russian space station Mir

**Wikidata**: [Q1424853](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1424853)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soyuz_TM-21)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/soyuz-tm-21

## Summary
Soyuz TM-21 was a 1995 Russian spaceflight mission to the Mir space station. It transported three crew members, including the first American astronaut to fly on a Soyuz spacecraft, Norman Thagard. The mission launched on March 14, 1995, and lasted 181 days before landing on September 11, 1995.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: March 14, 1995, from Baikonur Cosmodrome's Gagarin's Start.
- **Landing Date**: September 11, 1995, in Kazakhstan.
- **Crew**: Vladimir Dezhurov (commander), Gennadi Strekalov (Flight Engineer 1), Norman Thagard (Research Cosmonaut).
- **Spacecraft**: Soyuz-TM, a fourth-generation Soyuz spacecraft.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Soyuz-U2 rocket.
- **Mass**: 7,170 kg at takeoff.
- **Orbital Parameters**: Low Earth orbit with an apoapsis of 250 km, periapsis of 200 km, and inclination of 51.64 degrees.
- **Duration**: 181 days (15,640,866 seconds).
- **Orbits Completed**: 2,940.
- **Followed/Succeeded By**: Soyuz TM-20 (predecessor), Soyuz TM-22 (successor).

## FAQs
### Q: Who was the first American astronaut to fly on Soyuz TM-21?
A: Norman Thagard was the first American astronaut to fly on Soyuz TM-21, serving as a Research Cosmonaut.

### Q: How long did Soyuz TM-21 stay in orbit?
A: The mission lasted 181 days, from March 14 to September 11, 1995.

### Q: What was the purpose of Soyuz TM-21?
A: Soyuz TM-21 transported crew to the Mir space station, marking a significant collaboration between Russia and the U.S. in space exploration.

## Why It Matters
Soyuz TM-21 was a pivotal mission in international space cooperation, as it carried Norman Thagard, the first American astronaut to fly on a Soyuz spacecraft. This mission underscored the growing partnership between Russia and the U.S. post-Cold War, paving the way for future collaborations like the International Space Station (ISS). The mission also demonstrated the reliability of the Soyuz-TM spacecraft and its role in sustaining human presence aboard Mir.

## Notable For
- First American astronaut (Norman Thagard) to fly on a Soyuz spacecraft.
- Part of the Soyuz program, a cornerstone of Russian human spaceflight.
- Demonstrated long-duration spaceflight capabilities with a 181-day mission.
- Used the Soyuz-U2 launch vehicle, a variant of the Soyuz rocket family.
- Contributed to the ongoing operation of the Mir space station.

## Body
### Mission Overview
- **Launch**: March 14, 1995, from Baikonur Cosmodrome's Gagarin's Start.
- **Landing**: September 11, 1995, near Dzhezkazgan, Kazakhstan.
- **Crew**: Vladimir Dezhurov (commander), Gennadi Strekalov (Flight Engineer 1), Norman Thagard (Research Cosmonaut).

### Technical Specifications
- **Spacecraft**: Soyuz-TM, mass of 7,170 kg at takeoff.
- **Orbit**: Low Earth orbit with:
  - Apoapsis: 250 km.
  - Periapsis: 200 km.
  - Inclination: 51.64 degrees.
  - Orbital period: 88.7 minutes.
- **Duration**: 181 days (15,640,866 seconds).
- **Orbits Completed**: 2,940.

### Crew Details
- **Launch Crew**:
  - Vladimir Dezhurov: Spacecraft Commander.
  - Gennadi Strekalov: Flight Engineer 1.
  - Norman Thagard: Research Cosmonaut.
- **Landing Crew**:
  - Anatoly Solovyev: Spacecraft Commander.
  - Nikolai Budarin: Flight Engineer 1.

### Launch and Landing
- **Launch Vehicle**: Soyuz-U2.
- **Landing Location**: Kazakhstan (coordinates: 50.67°N, 68.25°E).

### Mission Significance
- Marked the first time an American astronaut flew on a Soyuz spacecraft.
- Supported the Mir space station's operations during a critical period of international collaboration.

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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-21.htm)