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1.12 Soyuz-T (1976-1986) Soyuz-T (figure 1-28) replaced Soyuz Ferry. The “T” stands for transport. Soyuz-T gave the Soviets the ability to launch three cosmonauts in a single spacecraft for the first time since Soyuz 11 in 1971. It was used with the Salyut 6, Salyut 7, and Mir stations.

Figure 1-28. Soyuz-T spacecraft.

1.12.1 Soyuz-T Specifications

Launch weight .......................................... 6850 kg

Length ..................................................... 6.98 m

Span across solar arrays .......................... 10.6 m

Diameter of habitable modules ................... 2.2 m

Maximum diameter ................................... 2.72 m

Habitable volume ...................................... 9.5 m³

Number of crew ........................................ 2-3

1.12.2 Soyuz-T Notable Features Ability to carry three crew in pressure suits, or two crew in pressure suits and 100 kg of additional cargo weight. Solar arrays (similar to those on the ASTP Soyuz) replaced batteries as the primary source of electrical power. These were smaller and more efficient than those used on the Original Soyuz and Salyut 1-type Soyuz.[1] “Unified” (integrated, or combined) propulsion system: attitude control rockets and main engines drew on the same

supplies of N2O4 and UDMH propellants. Orbital module was discarded prior to deorbit burn to reduce the mass of the Soyuz-T, resulting in a 10% propellant savings. Occasionally the Soyuz-T descent and service modules detached from the orbital module while it was still attached to the Salyut. Typically the orbital module was then detached from the Salyut within a few hours. Igla approach system. Chayka flight control system featuring BTSVK digital computer. The computer, also called Argon, had 16 kilobytes of RAM. Under nominal conditions, the

computer replaced the groundbased computers and ground measurement stations which had guided earlier Soyuz craft. Previous Soyuz spacecraft had relied on hard copy technical documentation carried in the descent module and data transmitted in verbal form from the TsUP analysis group. Argon prepared data which it simultaneously displayed on screens in the descent module and in the TsUP. In addition, control systems were upgraded to include integrated circuit chips, saving volume and weight.[2] New main engine similar to that used on Progress. Elimination of

1. Pierre Langereux, “New Revelations on the Soyuz-T Vehicle,” Air & Cosmos , No. 800, February 16, 1980, pp. 50-51. Translated in JPRS Report, JPRS L/9058, USSR Report, Space, April 28, 1980, p. 2.
2. Yuri Malyshev, “Evolution of the Soyuz Spacecraft,” Aviatsiya i Kosmonavtika, No. 10, 1980, pp. 38-39. Translated in USSR Report, Space, No. 9, March 2, 1981 (JPRS 77488), p. 11.