Soyuz T-12 facts for kids
| Mission duration | 11 days, 19 hours, 14 minutes, 36 seconds |
|---|---|
| Orbits completed | 186 |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft type | Soyuz-T |
| Manufacturer | NPO Energia |
| Launch mass | 7,020 kilograms (15,480 lb) |
| Crew | |
| Crew size | 3 |
| Members | Vladimir Dzhanibekov Svetlana Savitskaya Igor Volk |
| Callsign | Pamir (Pamir Mountains) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | July 17, 1984, 17:40:54 UTC |
| Rocket | Soyuz-U2 |
| Launch site | Baikonur 31/6 |
| End of mission | |
| Landing date | July 29, 1984, 12:55:30 UTC |
| Landing site | 140 kilometres (87 mi) SE of Dzhezkazgan |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Low Earth |
| Perigee | 192 kilometres (119 mi) |
| Apogee | 218 kilometres (135 mi) |
| Inclination | 51.6 degrees |
| Period | 88.6 minutes |
| Docking with Salyut 7 | |
 Soyuz T-12 with spacewalk Soyuz programme
(Crewed missions) |
|
Soyuz T-12 was an important spaceflight to the Soviet space station Salyut 7. This mission took place in July 1984. It was the seventh time a crew traveled to Salyut 7. The Soyuz T-12 was also the name of the spacecraft that carried three astronauts into space and brought them back. A major highlight of this mission was when Svetlana Savitskaya became the first woman to ever perform a spacewalk. Another crew member, Igor Volk, gained valuable experience for a future space shuttle program. The crew returned to Earth in the same Soyuz T-12 spacecraft they used for launch.
Contents
Soyuz T-12: A Historic Space Mission
Why Was Soyuz T-12 Important?
The Soyuz T-12 mission had two main goals. One goal was to give Igor Volk spaceflight experience. He was a special test pilot chosen to command the first flight of the Buran space shuttle. This was a new Soviet space shuttle project. Rules said that every space mission needed at least one astronaut who had flown before. So, it was important for Volk to go to space.
Another big reason for the mission involved Svetlana Savitskaya. In 1983, another country's space agency announced plans for a woman to perform a spacewalk. The Soviet space program wanted to achieve this milestone first. So, they quickly put together the Soyuz T-12 crew. This crew included Svetlana Savitskaya, who would make history.
At the time, the Buran space shuttle program was a secret. People wondered why a test pilot like Igor Volk was on a Soyuz mission. Usually, these spots were for scientists or astronauts from other countries. But his flight was key to preparing for the future of space travel.
Meet the Crew
The Soyuz T-12 mission had three brave astronauts on board:
| Position | Crew | |
|---|---|---|
| Commander | Vladimir Dzhanibekov Fourth spaceflight |
|
| Flight engineer | Svetlana Savitskaya Second and last spaceflight |
|
| Research cosmonaut | Igor Volk Only spaceflight |
|
Who Were the Backup Crew?
Just like in sports, space missions have backup teams ready to go if needed. For Soyuz T-12, the backup crew included:
| Position | Crew | |
|---|---|---|
| Commander | Vladimir Vasyutin | |
| Flight engineer | Yekaterina Ivanova | |
| Research cosmonaut | Viktor Savinykh | |
Mission Facts and Figures
Here are some interesting facts about the Soyuz T-12 mission:
- Mass: The spacecraft weighed 7020 kilograms (about 15,476 pounds).
- Perigee: Its lowest point in orbit was 192 kilometers (about 119 miles) above Earth.
- Apogee: Its highest point in orbit was 218 kilometers (about 135 miles) above Earth.
- Inclination: The angle of its orbit around Earth was 51.6 degrees.
- Period: It took 88.6 minutes to complete one orbit around Earth.
Key Moments of the Mission
Soyuz T-12 was the seventh mission to visit the Salyut 7 space station. The crew's callsign was Pamir. This mission was important for preparing Igor Volk for the Buran program. He needed to show he could pilot the Buran shuttle back to Earth after a long time in space.
On July 25, 1984, Vladimir Dzhanibekov and Svetlana Savitskaya made history. They performed a spacewalk that lasted 3 hours and 30 minutes. Svetlana Savitskaya became the very first woman to ever walk in space! During their spacewalk, they tested a special tool called URI. This tool could cut, weld, solder, and coat metal samples in space.
While the Soyuz T-12 crew was at Salyut 7, all six astronauts on board worked together. They conducted experiments called Rezonans tests. They also collected samples of the air inside the space station. These activities helped scientists learn more about living and working in space.
See also
In Spanish: Soyuz T-12 para niños
