Human Spaceflights

International Flight-No. 78

Soyuz 40

USSR

Patch Soyuz 40 Patch Soyuz 40 Interkosmos

Launch, orbit and landing data

Launch date:  14.05.1981
Launch time:  18:16 UT
Launch site:  Baikonur
Launch pad:  1
Altitude:  191 - 269 km
Inclination:  51,62°
Docking Salyut 6:  15.05.1981, 18:50 UT
Undocking Salyut 6:  22.05.1981, 10:37 UT
Landing date:  22.05.1981
Landing time:  14:59 UT
Landing site:  225 km SE of Dzheskasgan

walkout photo

Crew Soyuz 40

alternate crew photo

alternate crew photo

alternate crew photo

Crew

No.   Surname Given names Job Flight No. Duration Orbits
1 USSR  Popov  Leonid Ivanovich  Commander 2 7d 20h 42m  124 
2 Romania  Prunariu  Dumitru Dorin  Research Cosmonaut 1 7d 20h 42m  124 

Crew seating arrangement

Launch
1  Popov
2  Prunariu
Soyuz spaceship
Landing
1  Popov
2  Prunariu

Animations: Soyuz

Launch deorbit entry
(requires Macromedia Flash Player)
with friendly permission of www.marscenter.it

Double Crew

No.   Surname Given names Job
1 USSR  Romanenko  Yuri Viktorovich  Commander
2 Romania  Dediu  Dumitru  Research Cosmonaut
Crew Soyuz 40 (double)

alternate crew photo

Flight

Launch from Baikonur; landing 225 km southeast of Dzheskasgan. Ninth Interkosmos-mission. Docking on Salyut 6 spacestation as final spacecraft and common work with the fifth resident crew.

Scientific research and experiments including exploration of Earth magnetic field. Earth observations had to be delayed until the last day of this mission, when Salyut 6 at last passed over Romania in daylight. During this time the crew also tested the station's orientation system.

Photos / Drawings

Salyut 6 Salyut 6
Soyuz 40 launch Soyuz 40 onboard Salyut 6
Soyuz 40_recovery  

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Last update on April 29, 2009.

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