Soyuz T-13

Launch Crew

Mission details:

• On June 6, 1985, the Soyuz launch vehicle with the Soyuz T-13 transport manned spacecraft was launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome to deliver the crew of the rescue expedition to the Salyut-7 emergency orbital station.
• After the completion of the program of the third main expedition, the Salyut-7 scientific station remained temporarily uninhabited. On February 11, 1985, communication with her was lost due to a malfunction in the command and control system. Then, as a result of violation of the mode of recharging the buffer batteries and the inability of the MCC to interfere with the operation of the on-board automation, the station was de-energized and completely failed. An abnormal situation threatened with catastrophic consequences in the form of an uncontrolled decline and unpredictable destruction of the station in dense layers of the atmosphere.
• For emergency recovery of Salyut-7 performance, the converted T-13 Soyuz with an experienced crew consisting of commander Vladimir Dzhanibekov and flight engineer Viktor Saviny went into orbit. In preparation for an unprecedented mission, all rescue operations were carried out at the ground-based modeling stand of NPO Energia (now RSC Energia), a comprehensive training of the crew was carried out, and ground-based funds were used to ensure docking of the Soyuz T-13 ship with an uncontrolled station.
• On June 8, 1985, Vladimir Dzhanibekov, using target designation from Earth, successfully completed rapprochement and manual docking. On the same day, the crew switched to Salyut-7, having previously ascertained the tightness of the docking unit and the harmless atmosphere of the working compartments. The astronauts began to troubleshoot and within a week resumed the operation of power supply systems, temperature control, life support and telemetry. The station returned to normal operation, a new transmitter for the command radio link turned on, and the water supply system thawed. In June and July 1985, the heroic crew received two Progress cargo ships with the necessary supplies of water and fuel, repair equipment and an additional set of solar panels, as well as new Orlan-DM spacesuits for extra-ship activities. On August 2, 1985, during a five-hour spacewalk, Vladimir Dzhanibekov and Viktor Savinykh mounted additional solar panels and installed equipment for scientific experiments on the outer surface of the station.
• On September 18, 1985, the crew of the fifth main expedition arrived at Salyut-7 - Vladimir Vasyutin, Georgy Grechko and Alexander Volkov. On September 25, the Soyuz T-13 ship with Vladimir Dzhanibekov and Georgy Grechko left the station on board. Before landing, the astronauts conducted an experimental flight of Salyut-7 and the next day successfully landed 220 km northeast of Dzheskasgan.

Dzhanibekov and Savinykh

Soyuz Descent Module.

Delivered to the Salyut-7 orbital station a crew consisting of flight commander V A Dzhanibekov and flight engineer V P Savinykh to carry out emergency repairs to inert Salyut 7 station and to conduct scientific and technical research and experiments.

Astrophilately covers:

Launch cancel Baikonur, signed by crew.

Cosmic Mail: Cover on board of Salyut 7, with bleu five-side Salyut-7 boardcancel, signed by Savinykh.

Landing cancel Leninck, signed by crew.