Soyuz 31

Mission Profile

Overview

Soyuz 31 carried Sigmund Jähn of the German Democratic Republic to Salyut 6, making him the first German citizen in space — beating West Germany's astronauts by years. A Luftstreitkräfte fighter pilot, Jähn flew under Interkosmos with commander Valery Bykovsky, one of the Soviet Union's original Vostok cosmonauts. Launched on 26 August 1978, they docked at the station's aft port and joined resident crew Vladimir Kovalyonok and Aleksandr Ivanchenkov, then deep into a record endurance flight. Jähn's programme featured the Zeiss-built multispectral MKF-6M camera and the Berolina materials experiments, alongside biomedical work. As was standard for visiting crews, the cosmonauts swapped craft: Jähn and Bykovsky returned in the older Soyuz 29 on 3 September after just under eight days, leaving the fresh Soyuz 31 docked for the long-duration residents, who later rode it home.

Crew

Key Milestones

1. 1978-08-26

   Launch from Baikonur at 14:51 UTC; Jähn becomes the first German in space

2. 1978-08-27

   Docking with Salyut 6, joining resident crew Vladimir Kovalyonok and Aleksandr Ivanchenkov

3. 1978-08-28

   MKF-6M multispectral imaging and Berolina materials-science experiments under way

4. 1978-09-03

   Bykovsky and Jähn land in the swapped Soyuz 29 after 7 days 20 hours in space

Key Achievements

• First German citizen in space (German Democratic Republic)

• Operated the Zeiss MKF-6M multispectral camera and Berolina materials experiments

• Completed a Soyuz craft swap, leaving the fresh Soyuz 31 for the long-duration residents

Related Missions

Sources

1. Wikipedia — Soyuz 31
2. Spacefacts — Soyuz 31 mission report