# Soyuz TM-6

> 1988 Soviet crewed spaceflight to Mir

**Wikidata**: [Q238773](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q238773)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soyuz_TM-6)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/soyuz-tm-6

## Summary
Soyuz TM-6 was a 1988 Soviet crewed spaceflight to the Mir space station, launched on August 29, 1988, and returning on December 21, 1988. It was the sixth mission of the Soyuz-TM spacecraft class and carried a crew of three astronauts, including a French researcher, marking the first time a non-Soviet or non-Russian cosmonaut flew on a Soyuz spacecraft.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: August 29, 1988
- **Landing Date**: December 21, 1988
- **Duration**: 9,869,629 seconds (approximately 114 days)
- **Spacecraft Class**: Soyuz-TM (fourth generation Soyuz spacecraft)
- **Launch Vehicle**: Soyuz-U2
- **Orbit**: Low Earth orbit (LEO)
- **Orbital Period**: 88.7 minutes
- **Orbits Completed**: 1,840
- **Crew Members**: Vladimir Lyakhov (commander), Valeri Polyakov (flight engineer), and Abdul Ahad Mohmand (research cosmonaut) during launch; Vladimir Titov (commander), Musa Manarov (flight engineer), and Jean-Loup Chrétien (research cosmonaut) during landing
- **Significant Event**: First non-Soviet or non-Russian cosmonaut (Jean-Loup Chrétien) to fly on a Soyuz spacecraft
- **Mission Duration**: 114 days (longest Soyuz mission at the time)

## FAQs
### Q: Who were the crew members of Soyuz TM-6?
A: The crew included Vladimir Lyakhov (commander), Valeri Polyakov (flight engineer), and Abdul Ahad Mohmand (research cosmonaut) during launch. Upon return, the crew was Vladimir Titov (commander), Musa Manarov (flight engineer), and Jean-Loup Chrétien (research cosmonaut).

### Q: What was unique about Soyuz TM-6?
A: Soyuz TM-6 was notable for carrying Jean-Loup Chrétien, the first French astronaut to fly on a Soyuz spacecraft, marking a significant step in international cooperation in space exploration.

### Q: How long did the mission last?
A: The mission lasted approximately 114 days, making it the longest Soyuz mission at the time.

### Q: What was the purpose of Soyuz TM-6?
A: The primary purpose was to deliver and return crew members to the Mir space station, conduct scientific experiments, and facilitate international collaboration in spaceflight.

### Q: Where did Soyuz TM-6 land?
A: The spacecraft landed in Kazakhstan on December 21, 1988.

## Why It Matters
Soyuz TM-6 played a crucial role in the Soviet space program and international space cooperation. It marked the first time a non-Soviet or non-Russian cosmonaut flew on a Soyuz spacecraft, paving the way for future international missions. The mission also set a record for the longest Soyuz flight at the time, demonstrating the spacecraft's reliability and endurance. Additionally, Soyuz TM-6 contributed to scientific research aboard Mir, including studies on long-duration spaceflight and international collaboration. Its success laid the groundwork for future Soyuz missions and reinforced the Soviet Union's leadership in human spaceflight during the Cold War era.

## Notable For
- **First non-Soviet/non-Russian cosmonaut on Soyuz**: Jean-Loup Chrétien, a French astronaut, flew on Soyuz TM-6, marking a significant step in international space cooperation.
- **Longest Soyuz mission at the time**: The mission lasted 114 days, setting a record for the duration of a Soyuz flight.
- **Scientific contributions**: The crew conducted various experiments aboard Mir, contributing to long-duration spaceflight research.
- **International crew exchange**: Soyuz TM-6 facilitated the transfer of crew members between Soyuz TM-5 and Soyuz TM-7, ensuring continuous occupancy of Mir.
- **Technological demonstration**: The mission showcased the capabilities of the Soyuz-TM spacecraft and the Soyuz-U2 launch vehicle.

## Body
### Mission Overview
Soyuz TM-6 was launched on August 29, 1988, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome aboard a Soyuz-U2 rocket. The spacecraft docked with the Mir space station on August 31, 1988, and remained in orbit for approximately 114 days. The mission concluded with a landing in Kazakhstan on December 21, 1988.

### Crew and Objectives
The initial crew consisted of Vladimir Lyakhov (commander), Valeri Polyakov (flight engineer), and Abdul Ahad Mohmand (research cosmonaut). The mission's primary objectives included delivering supplies, conducting scientific experiments, and facilitating crew rotation. Jean-Loup Chrétien, a French astronaut, joined the crew during the mission, becoming the first non-Soviet or non-Russian cosmonaut to fly on a Soyuz spacecraft.

### Scientific and Technological Achievements
Soyuz TM-6 contributed to long-duration spaceflight research, including studies on the effects of microgravity on the human body. The mission also demonstrated the reliability of the Soyuz-TM spacecraft and the Soyuz-U2 launch vehicle. The crew conducted various experiments aboard Mir, including biological and materials science research.

### International Collaboration
The mission facilitated international cooperation in space exploration, with Jean-Loup Chrétien representing France. This collaboration was a significant step in the Soviet Union's efforts to engage with international partners, particularly during the Cold War era.

### Legacy
Soyuz TM-6 set a record for the longest Soyuz mission at the time and played a crucial role in the Soviet space program. Its success laid the groundwork for future Soyuz missions and reinforced the Soviet Union's leadership in human spaceflight. The mission also contributed to the development of international space cooperation, paving the way for future collaborative efforts in space exploration.

```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Soyuz TM-6",
  "description": "1988 Soviet crewed spaceflight to Mir, notable for carrying the first non-Soviet/non-Russian cosmonaut on a Soyuz spacecraft.",
  "sameAs": ["https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q19443", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soyuz_TM-6"],
  "additionalType": "HumanSpaceflight"
}

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. [Source](http://www.spacefacts.de/mission/english/soyuz-tm-6.htm)