Soyuz Spacecraft
Russia's Soyuz spacecraft consists of several modules and carries astronauts and equipment into space.1 Along with its government-assigned crew, the Soyuz also flies space tourists to the International Space Station. On October 12, 2008, Richard Garriott became the sixth privately funded space traveler to fly on board the Soyuz.2
On October 23, 2008, the craft landed safely in Kazakhstan with civilian astronaut Garriott on board.3
Fast Facts
- First launch (unmanned): November 28, 19664
- Modules: orbital, propulsion and descent4
- The Soyuz underwent four generations of improvements, and several upgrades4
- Descent module weight: 6,393 pounds4
Soyuz Spacecraft Flight
The Soyuz family of spaceships consists of several modules that bring astronauts and equipment into space.5 The first model was designed during the sixties, with newer generations and upgrades following into the 21st century.4
The Soyuz can dock into the International Space Station and serves as the return ship for astronauts working there. Along with government-assigned crew, it flies space tourists who take advantage of its spacecraft participant program.
Soyuz and Garriott
The Soyuz safely landed in remote Kazakhstan on October 23, 2008, after ten days in space. Austin computer game designer Richard Garriott, the 47-year-old son of a former astronaut, paid $30 million for the round-trip flight to the International Space Station. The last two landings in April and October of 2007 were jarring as the Soyuz landed off course after plunging into the Earth's atmosphere on steeper-than-anticipated trajectories.6
Related Pages on Mahalo
Richard Garriott | NASA | Shuttle Launch | Voyager | SpaceShipTwo
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