Conceived in 1960, the Soyuz spacecraft became the second-generation Soviet vehicle capable of carrying humans into space. Unlike its predecessor, (a one-seat Vostok) the Soyuz would be able to conduct active maneuvering, orbital rendezvous and docking. These capabilities were all necessary for a flight around the Moon and to support lunar landing. In the early scenario of a 'circumlunar' mission, defined in 1962, the Soyuz complex would be assembled in the low-Earth orbit out of three consecutively launched elements.
With the end of the Moon Race, the USSR quietly shifted its focus in manned spaceflight to the Earth-orbiting station. Accordingly, the Soyuz was re-tailored for the role of a ferry, capable of delivering a crew of three to the orbital outpost. The first such vehicle, designated Soyuz-10, flew in 1971. However the same year, mission of Soyuz-11, ended in disaster, when its three cosmonauts died as a result of a decompression of their reentry capsule on the way home. In the wake of the catastrophe, the crew size onboard Soyuz was reduced to two to save weight for the protective pressure suits and related safety gear onboard.
Inaugurated in 1978, the Soyuz T spacecraft, (T stands for 'transport') featured a brand-new motion control system, using a digital computer; a modified propulsion system with an integrated fuel supply system for all engines. Many onboard systems were replaced with newer, better ones. Combined, these modifications allowed to increase the size of the crew back to three, this time pressure suits included. The orbital lifespan of the spacecraft was also increased. In 1980, the Soyuz T carried crew into orbit for the first time.
The TM modification of the Soyuz spacecraft, where M stands for 'modified', sported the Kurs advanced rendezvous radio system, modified motion control system and radio communication system. It was also equipped with a thruster assembly with segmented propellant and gas stores. The vehicle was launched for the first time unmanned in 1986 toward the Mir space station, and carried its first crew to Mir in 1987. The TM version also became a base for the Progress M series of cargo carriers.
In October 1991, during a meeting with Boeing representatives (the main station contractor) the head of NPO Energia Yuri Semenov offered the company's Soyuz spacecraft to serve as a 'lifeboat' for Space Station Freedom. On June 18, 1992, NASA Administrator Daniel Goldin and Director General of the Russian Space Agency Yuri Koptev 'ratified' a contract between NASA and NPO Energia to study possible use of Soyuz and Russian docking port in the Freedom project.
The Soyuz TMA, or 'anthropometric' version was designed within US-Russian cooperative program on the International Space Station, ISS. 'Anthropometric' upgrades mostly aimed to allow taller crewmembers to fly the Soyuz.
Inaugurated in 1978, the Soyuz T spacecraft, (T stands for 'transport') featured a brand-new motion control system, using a digital computer; a modified propulsion system with an integrated fuel supply system for all engines. Many onboard systems were replaced with newer, better ones. Combined, these modifications allowed to increase the size of the crew back to three, this time pressure suits included. The orbital lifespan of the spacecraft was also increased. In 1980, the Soyuz T carried crew into orbit for the first time.
In October 1991, during a meeting with Boeing representatives (the main station contractor) the head of NPO Energia Yuri Semenov offered the company's Soyuz spacecraft to serve as a 'lifeboat' for Space Station Freedom. On June 18, 1992, NASA Administrator Daniel Goldin and Director General of the Russian Space Agency Yuri Koptev 'ratified' a contract between NASA and NPO Energia to study possible use of Soyuz and Russian docking port in the Freedom project.