Soyuz programme: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

The Soyuz human spaceflight programme was initiated in the early 1960s as part of the Luna programme that was intended to put a Soviet cosmonaut on the Moon. The Soyuz spacecraft and the Soyuz launch vehicle are both part of this programme.

The Moon objective was abandoned when technological problems meant that the US would reach the Moon first. Soyuz survived the demise of the Luna programme in that it developed into a variety of projects (both military and civilian), mostly in conjunction with space stations.

As of 2003, Soyuz derivatives provide Russia's human spaceflight capability and are used to ferry personnel and supplies to and from the International Space Station.

Soyuz 19 as seen from the Apollo spacecraft during ASTP Mission July, 1975. (NASA)

Soyuz missions include:

• Soyuz 1 crew perished
• Soyuz 2 uncrewed
• Soyuz 3
• Soyuz 4
• Soyuz 5
• Soyuz 6
• Soyuz 7
• Soyuz 8
• Soyuz 9
• Soyuz 10
• Soyuz 11 crew perished
• Soyuz 12
• Soyuz 13
• Soyuz 14
• Soyuz 15
• Soyuz 16
• Soyuz 17
• Soyuz 18a launch abort
• Soyuz 18
• Soyuz 19 - Apollo-Soyuz
• Soyuz 20 uncrewed
• Soyuz 21
• Soyuz 22
• Soyuz 23
• Soyuz 24
• Soyuz 25
• Soyuz 26
• Soyuz 27
• Soyuz 28
• Soyuz 29
• Soyuz 30
• Soyuz 31
• Soyuz 32
• Soyuz 33
• Soyuz 34 launched uncrewed as return vehicle
• Soyuz 35
• Soyuz 36
• Soyuz T-2
• Soyuz 37
• Soyuz 38
• Soyuz T-3
• Soyuz T-4
• Soyuz 39
• Soyuz 40
• Soyuz T-5
• Soyuz T-6
• Soyuz T-7
• Soyuz T-8
• Soyuz T-9
• Soyuz T-10-1 launch abort
• Soyuz T-10
• Soyuz T-11
• Soyuz T-12
• Soyuz T-13
• Soyuz T-14
• Soyuz T-15
• Soyuz TM-2
• Soyuz TM-3
• Soyuz TM-4
• Soyuz TM-5
• Soyuz TM-6
• Soyuz TM-7
• Soyuz TM-8
• Soyuz TM-9
• Soyuz TM-10
• Soyuz TM-11
• Soyuz TM-12
• Soyuz TM-13
• Soyuz TM-14
• Soyuz TM-15
• Soyuz TM-16
• Soyuz TM-17
• Soyuz TM-18
• Soyuz TM-19
• Soyuz TM-20
• Soyuz TM-21
• Soyuz TM-22
• Soyuz TM-23
• Soyuz TM-24
• Soyuz TM-25
• Soyuz TM-26
• Soyuz TM-27
• Soyuz TM-28
• Soyuz TM-29
• Soyuz TM-30
• Soyuz TM-31
• Soyuz TM-32
• Soyuz TM-33
• Soyuz TM-34
• Soyuz TMA-1
• Soyuz TMA-2
• Soyuz TMA-3
• Soyuz TMA-4
• Soyuz TMA-5