Posts: 3263 From: Ontario, Canada Registered: Oct 2010
posted 01-31-2020 09:08 AM
The Soyuz 9 flight, launched in June 1970 with cosmonauts Andrian Nikolayev and Vitaly Sevastyanov onboard, holds an interesting duration record that you don't hear about much. It was the longest manned flight that did not go to a space station.
The mission duration was 17 days 16 hours, which is longer than any shuttle flight.
They may have flown without spacesuits. I could not find a suited photo of the crew.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 43191 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 01-31-2020 09:38 AM
Soyuz 9 at 17 days, 16 hours, 58 minutes, 55 seconds was about an hour longer in flight than the longest space shuttle mission, STS-80, at 17 days, 15 hours, 53 minutes, 18 seconds.
The Soyuz 9 crew, as the Soyuz crews before them, did not wear pressure suits. The loss of the Soyuz 11 crew to a cabin depressurization led to the advent of the Sokol series of suits worn to this day. (Coincidentally, the Soyuz 9 crew's call sign was "Sokol.")
Mike Dixon Member
Posts: 1408 From: Kew, Victoria, Australia Registered: May 2003
posted 01-31-2020 06:26 PM
One of my all time favourite flights. Two fine cosmonauts as well.
LM-12 Member
Posts: 3263 From: Ontario, Canada Registered: Oct 2010
posted 01-31-2020 09:17 PM
The Soyuz 9 crew is in this October 1970 group photo that you may have seen before.
MSS Member
Posts: 644 From: Europe Registered: May 2003
posted 02-01-2020 04:46 AM
Nikolayev and Sevastyanov were a original prime crew for Soyuz 8 (1969).
Here is an interesting video about Soyuz-6/7/8 missions (in Russian only).
MSS Member
Posts: 644 From: Europe Registered: May 2003
posted 02-01-2020 05:02 AM
Here are three videos about Soyuz 9 mission and its crew:
LM-12 Member
Posts: 3263 From: Ontario, Canada Registered: Oct 2010
posted 02-02-2020 02:09 AM
Some nice onboard footage there. Nikolayev looked pretty exhausted after landing.
Mike Dixon Member
Posts: 1408 From: Kew, Victoria, Australia Registered: May 2003
posted 02-02-2020 04:07 AM
They both failed to keep up their in orbit exercise schedule. The doctors weren't impressed.
posted 01-31-2020 09:08 AM
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