# Soyuz

> series of spacecraft designed for the Soviet space programme

**Wikidata**: [Q579421](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q579421)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soyuz_(spacecraft))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/soyuz

## Summary  
Soyuz is a family of crewed space capsules originally designed for the Soviet space programme and later operated by Russia’s Roscosmos. Built by the S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia, each Soyuz vehicle consists of an orbital module, a re‑entry capsule, and a service module, making it the longest‑running series of human‑rated spacecraft in history.

## Key Facts  
- **Series origin** – Developed for the Soviet space programme; later operated by Roscosmos State Corporation.  
- **Manufacturer** – Produced by S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia.  
- **Core architecture** – Each Soyuz spacecraft is composed of three parts: an orbital module, a re‑entry capsule, and a service module.  
- **Classification** – Instance of a *vehicle family*; subclassed as both a *crewed spacecraft* and a *space capsule*.  
- **Country of origin** – Soviet Union (original) and Russia (current).  
- **Operator** – Soviet space program (historical) and Roscosmos (present).  
- **Aliases** – Known in Chinese as “联盟号宇宙飞船”.  
- **Native label** – Союз (Russian).  
- **Variants** – Includes many revisions such as Soyuz‑TMA, Soyuz‑TM, Soyuz‑TMA‑M, Soyuz‑7K‑OK, Soyuz‑7K‑OKS, Soyuz‑7K‑T, Soyuz‑7K‑L1, Soyuz‑7K‑L1E, Soyuz‑7K‑V I, Soyuz‑7K‑T M, Soyuz‑7K‑L, Soyuz‑2 rockets, and Soyuz‑M rockets.  
- **Documentation** – Described in the Armenian Soviet Encyclopedia; identified by GND 4550196‑8, BabelNet 01021440n, and Freebase /m/0187jb.

## FAQs  
### Q: What is the Soyuz spacecraft?  
A: Soyuz is a series of crewed space capsules that originated in the Soviet Union and continue to be used by Russia for human spaceflight, featuring a three‑module design (orbital, re‑entry, service).  

### Q: Who built and operates Soyuz?  
A: The spacecraft are built by the S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia and have been operated by the Soviet space programme and, today, by Roscosmos.  

### Q: What are the main parts of a Soyuz vehicle?  
A: A Soyuz spacecraft consists of an orbital module for crew habitation, a re‑entry capsule that returns to Earth, and a service module that provides power, propulsion, and life‑support systems.  

### Q: Is Soyuz still in use today?  
A: Yes; after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Roscosmos continues to fly Soyuz vehicles for crew transport to the International Space Station and other missions.  

### Q: How many versions of Soyuz exist?  
A: Over the decades, dozens of variants have been produced, including the first‑generation Soyuz‑7K‑OK, the second‑generation Soyuz‑7K‑T, and modern versions such as Soyuz‑TMA‑M and Soyuz‑2 rockets.

## Why It Matters  
Soyuz represents the backbone of human spaceflight for more than half a century, bridging the Cold War era to modern international cooperation. Its robust three‑module architecture has proven reliable for launching, orbiting, and safely returning crews, making it the primary vehicle for transporting astronauts to low‑Earth‑orbit stations, including the International Space Station. The continuity of the Soyuz program demonstrates engineering longevity, cost‑effectiveness, and adaptability, as the design has been repeatedly upgraded while retaining its core configuration. As the only crewed spacecraft regularly available for launch from Russian territory, Soyuz remains essential for maintaining a continuous human presence in space and for enabling scientific, commercial, and diplomatic missions.

## Notable For  
- **Longest‑serving crewed spacecraft family** – Operational since the 1960s and still active today.  
- **First crewed flight** – Soyuz 1 marked the inaugural human mission of the series.  
- **Historic missions** – Soyuz 11 achieved the first crewed docking with the Salyut 1 space station.  
- **Versatile variants** – Supports a wide range of missions, from lunar flyby attempts (Soyuz‑7K‑L1) to modern ISS crew transport (Soyuz‑TMA‑M).  
- **International reliance** – Serves as the primary crew‑launch vehicle for partners worldwide when other crewed systems are unavailable.

## Body  

### Overview  
Soyuz (Russian: Союз) is a **vehicle family** of crewed space capsules. It was conceived for the Soviet space programme and continues under the Russian Roscosmos agency. The design is modular, comprising three distinct sections that together enable launch, orbital operations, and safe Earth re‑entry.

### Development History  
- **Soviet era** – The first generation, **Soyuz 7K‑OK**, entered service as the initial model of the Soyuz programme.  
- **Second generation** – Introduced as **Soyuz 7K‑T**, featuring upgrades for longer missions and improved docking capability.  
- **Later revisions** – Included specialized variants such as **Soyuz‑7K‑L1** (lunar flyby) and **Soyuz‑7K‑L1E** (experimental).  
- **Post‑Soviet evolution** – Modernized versions like **Soyuz‑TMA**, **Soyuz‑TMA‑M**, and **Soyuz‑TM** incorporate digital avionics, enhanced safety systems, and compatibility with the International Space Station.

### Technical Architecture  
- **Orbital module** – Provides living space and docking ports for crew while in orbit.  
- **Re‑entry capsule** – Bell‑shaped descent module that protects crew during atmospheric entry and splash‑down.  
- **Service module** – Houses propulsion, power generation, thermal control, and life‑support subsystems.  

### Operational Use  
- **Operators** – Initially the Soviet space programme; currently Roscosmos.  
- **Mission profile** – Launch aboard a Soyuz‑2 rocket (or earlier Soyuz rockets), perform orbital insertion, dock with a space station, and return crew via the re‑entry capsule.  
- **Notable missions** – **Soyuz 1** (first crewed flight), **Soyuz 11** (first crewed docking with Salyut 1), and numerous ISS crew rotations.

### Legacy and Impact  
Soyuz’s enduring presence has shaped crewed spaceflight standards, influencing safety protocols and international crew‑exchange agreements. Its adaptability has allowed it to serve both national and collaborative missions, reinforcing Russia’s role in global space exploration.

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## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. Czech National Authority Database
3. BabelNet