The Soyuz is a Soviet, later Russian, crewed spacecraft that first flew in 1967 and remains in active service, making it the longest continuously used crewed spacecraft design in history. It has served as the principal means of carrying crews to and from Soviet and Russian space stations and, for a period after the Space Shuttle's retirement, was the sole means of transporting crew to and from the International Space Station.
Facts
SignificanceBetween the retirement of the Space Shuttle in 2011 and the debut of SpaceX Crew Dragon in 2020, Soyuz was the sole means of carrying crews to and from the International Space Station. 1 Manufacturer or Builder FAQs
Did the first crewed Soyuz flight succeed?
No. Soyuz 1 launched on 23 April 1967 and ended in tragedy the next day when its parachute failed to deploy, killing Vladimir Komarov.
No. The first crewed Soyuz mission, Soyuz 1, launched on 23 April 1967 but ended tragically on 24 April 1967 when the parachute failed to deploy on reentry, killing cosmonaut Vladimir Komarov. The following flight, Soyuz 2, was uncrewed.
Connections
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Soyuz (Spacecraft)
WikipediaIntroduction, first paragraph
It was designed for the Soviet space program by the Korolev Design Bureau (now Energia).
History section, first crewed Soyuz mission
The first crewed Soyuz mission, Soyuz 1, launched on 23 April 1967 but ended tragically on 24 April 1967 when the parachute failed to deploy on reentry, killing cosmonaut Vladimir Komarov.
Introduction, second paragraph
Between the Space Shuttle's 2011 retirement and the SpaceX Crew Dragon's 2020 debut, Soyuz was the sole means of crewed transportation to and from the International Space Station, a role it continues to fulfill.
View the Source European Space Agency: The Russian Soyuz spacecraft
European Space AgencyIn Group: Crewed Spacecraft, Opening paragraphsQuote, In Group: Crewed Spacecraft, Opening paragraphs
The Soyuz programme is the longest operational human spacecraft programme in the history of space exploration.
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