Launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome; landing
72 km northeast of Arkalyk.
Following a two day solo flight the Soyuz
docked with the
Soyuz
TM-8-MIR-Kvant-Kvant2 complex on 13.02.1990. The
sixth resident crew
take turning the
fifth
resident crew.
Supplies with several cargo spaceships of type
Progress. Module Kristall (with food containers and the industrial processing
units Krater 3, Optizon 1, Zona 02, and Zona 03.) docked with the station on
10.06.1990.
The crew conducted an extensive programme of geophysical and
astrophysical research, experiments on biology and biotechnology and work on
space materials science. They started the commercial production of crystal in
highest quality for an US electronic company. A protein grow experiment was
also profitable (25 Million Rubel).
EVA on 17.07.1990
(7h 16m) in which spacecraft Soyuz TM-9 was repaired (three of the eight
thermal blankets (layers of foil vacuum shield insulation) on the descent
module of the approaching Soyuz-TM 9 spacecraft had come loose from their
attachments near the heat shield, yet remained attached at their top ends).
Problems because of a damage of Kvant2 module hatch. The hatch couldn't be
closed, so the cosmonauts were forced to use the emergency airlock of the
central compartment of Kvant. Another
EVA on
26.07.1990 (3h 31m) to repair the hatch failed.