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T O P I C R E V I E WfimychToday is 30th anniversary of the space station MIR launch, 20 Feb 1986. This year is also 15 years of MIR deorbiting, 23 Mar 2001. Moreover, last year was 20 years of the Shuttle-MIR program, 1995, the one of the key programs in MIR history. I believe, that I cannot surprise anybody by anything but still want to put some covers to commemorate the date. The first expedition to MIR, Soyuz T-15 (also the last to Salyut 7):At first there were Communist friends, Soyuz TM-5:First commercial cosmonaut, Soyuz TM-10:Space Regata:fimychGuinness records, 10 EVAs made by Serebrov, Soyuz TM-17:Some firsts... First and only - Soyuz TM-16 docking MIR using APAS-89 system (Soyuz-Apollo type):First official commercial postal souvenir by Mezhkniga:fimychESA projectsfimychShuttle-MIRLast expedition – Soyuz TM-30MIR re-entry over FijiAntoni RIGOEfim, your space flown covers are excellent as well as the other ones.Sincerely, I thought in posting this weekend a Space Cover of the Week commemorating the 30th anniversary of MIR launch. The covers I had are: 20.02.1986 Baikonur - MIR launch 23.03.2001 Korolev - MIR death As you see these covers are simple in comparison to your space flown covers. So, I am very happy that you remember it using a range of firsts in MIR.Thanks for sharing your knowledge and covers with others. It is the only way for learning.fimychAntoni, your covers are great as well, as they commemorate the most important dates in MIRs life. Recently, I've chatted with one of Russian experienced collectors about the popularity of MIR programs among Russian astrophilatelists, to my surprise Shuttle-MIR is very little known, and there is almost nothing offered on the Russian market on the subject. There was an idea to make a series of postcards devoted to the program and cancel them in Houston, Star City, Baikonur or Korolev. fimychI have completed a showcase of my small inventory of MIR covers with some comments.I found out that there are a lot of gaps especially in the flown covers. But the chronology is quite well preserved. RussianSoloviov offered me his really flown Salyut and Mir envelope from Soyuz T-15/MIR EO-1. He was at the Paris Air Show together with me and the last day I had from him the envelope. No picture on it. Just red colour small painted stamp. The envelope is not white but a little bit grey because of a bad quality paper-cheapest envelope!His wife explained me Vladimir completely forgot to prepare envelopes to take with him and she went to the Post Office the evening before his departure to Baikonur to buy some envelopes to put them in the personal set of Vladimir. No chance! Only bad quality envelopes but she bought them.I asked Vladimir to sign the envelope he offered me. And I don't have Kizim's signature neither on it.Maybe the envelope of fimych was taken aboard with Kizim but it is signed only by Soloviov. Извините, Ефим!fimychThere is nothing to be sorry about (не за что извиняться).I am pretty sure this is a flown cover, although cannot guarantee for 100% as with many early flown covers. The stamps look genuine and signature as well. Why there is only one signature? Can be plenty of reasons, it also can be signed on Earth as many Soyuz TM-15 covers. As Sergey P. wrote in his book regarding the early covers - the stamps, signatures and inscriptions cannot guarantee whether the cover was really flown or not. In any case it found its place in my collection many years ago and I am glad I have a chance to show it. RussianI have a question about first official commercial postal souvenir by Mezhkniga.This envelope normally was sold with some information about the project and VHS video "Space filatelia." Have you seen this video?fimychNo, I only have paper with screenshots.RussianI was responsible for this operation in Glavkosmos-13th Directorate of the Soviet Ministry of Space and Rocketry (Minobstchemash). I got one envelope "not for sale" among 38 not destroyed by Kurt Weishoupt from him personally.I can not find on internet the video where I am recuperating the containers from the landing team of Energia on the landing site directly from the capsule. Awful snow storm! I was young and able... I still keep a couple of paper seals with my signature after the containers were open by Kurt in Glavkosmos. Efim, if once you find the video, let me know...fimychNice collage of all nine Shuttle-Mir docking KSC postmarks.
I believe, that I cannot surprise anybody by anything but still want to put some covers to commemorate the date.
The first expedition to MIR, Soyuz T-15 (also the last to Salyut 7):At first there were Communist friends, Soyuz TM-5:First commercial cosmonaut, Soyuz TM-10:Space Regata:
At first there were Communist friends, Soyuz TM-5:
First commercial cosmonaut, Soyuz TM-10:
Space Regata:
Guinness records, 10 EVAs made by Serebrov, Soyuz TM-17:Some firsts... First and only - Soyuz TM-16 docking MIR using APAS-89 system (Soyuz-Apollo type):First official commercial postal souvenir by Mezhkniga:
Some firsts...
First and only - Soyuz TM-16 docking MIR using APAS-89 system (Soyuz-Apollo type):
First official commercial postal souvenir by Mezhkniga:
ESA projects
Shuttle-MIRLast expedition – Soyuz TM-30MIR re-entry over Fiji
Last expedition – Soyuz TM-30
MIR re-entry over Fiji
Sincerely, I thought in posting this weekend a Space Cover of the Week commemorating the 30th anniversary of MIR launch. The covers I had are:
20.02.1986 Baikonur - MIR launch 23.03.2001 Korolev - MIR death
23.03.2001 Korolev - MIR death
Thanks for sharing your knowledge and covers with others. It is the only way for learning.
Recently, I've chatted with one of Russian experienced collectors about the popularity of MIR programs among Russian astrophilatelists, to my surprise Shuttle-MIR is very little known, and there is almost nothing offered on the Russian market on the subject. There was an idea to make a series of postcards devoted to the program and cancel them in Houston, Star City, Baikonur or Korolev.
I found out that there are a lot of gaps especially in the flown covers. But the chronology is quite well preserved.
His wife explained me Vladimir completely forgot to prepare envelopes to take with him and she went to the Post Office the evening before his departure to Baikonur to buy some envelopes to put them in the personal set of Vladimir. No chance! Only bad quality envelopes but she bought them.
I asked Vladimir to sign the envelope he offered me. And I don't have Kizim's signature neither on it.
Maybe the envelope of fimych was taken aboard with Kizim but it is signed only by Soloviov. Извините, Ефим!
I am pretty sure this is a flown cover, although cannot guarantee for 100% as with many early flown covers. The stamps look genuine and signature as well. Why there is only one signature? Can be plenty of reasons, it also can be signed on Earth as many Soyuz TM-15 covers. As Sergey P. wrote in his book regarding the early covers - the stamps, signatures and inscriptions cannot guarantee whether the cover was really flown or not.
In any case it found its place in my collection many years ago and I am glad I have a chance to show it.
This envelope normally was sold with some information about the project and VHS video "Space filatelia." Have you seen this video?
I can not find on internet the video where I am recuperating the containers from the landing team of Energia on the landing site directly from the capsule. Awful snow storm! I was young and able... I still keep a couple of paper seals with my signature after the containers were open by Kurt in Glavkosmos.
Efim, if once you find the video, let me know...
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