Image: Soviet Interkosmos programme, via Wikimedia Commons
Soyuz 37
Mission Profile
| Launch date | 1980-07-23 |
|---|---|
| Launch site | Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 1/5 |
| Launch vehicle | Soyuz-U |
| Spacecraft | Soyuz 7K-T (Soyuz 37) |
| Target | Low Earth Orbit |
| Type | Crewed |
| End date | 1980-07-31 |
| Duration | 7 days 20 hours 42 minutes |
| Partners | Vietnam, Soviet Union (Interkosmos) |
Overview
Soyuz 37 carried Phạm Tuân to Salyut 6, making him the first Vietnamese citizen and the first Asian to fly in space. A decorated North Vietnamese fighter pilot credited with downing a B-52 during the war, Phạm Tuân flew under Interkosmos with three-time veteran commander Viktor Gorbatko. Launched on 23 July 1980, they docked with resident crew Leonid Popov and Valery Ryumin, who were midway through a record long-duration flight. During roughly eight days Phạm Tuân carried out around 30 tasks, including the Halong materials-processing experiments and observations of Vietnam from orbit, plus tests growing the aquatic fern azolla in weightlessness. Following the usual craft swap, Gorbatko and Phạm Tuân returned to Earth in the older Soyuz 36 on 31 July, and Phạm Tuân was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union.
Crew
Phạm Tuân
Research Cosmonaut (Vietnam, Interkosmos)
First Vietnamese citizen and first Asian in space
Key Milestones
1980-07-23
Launch from Baikonur at 18:33 UTC; Phạm Tuân becomes the first Vietnamese and first Asian in space
1980-07-24
Docking with Salyut 6, joining resident crew Leonid Popov and Valery Ryumin
1980-07-25
Interkosmos programme of ~30 tasks begins, including the Halong experiments and azolla cultivation
1980-07-31
Gorbatko and Phạm Tuân land in the swapped Soyuz 36 after 7 days 20 hours in space
Key Achievements
First Vietnamese citizen in space
First Asian to fly in space
Awarded Hero of the Soviet Union
Conducted ~30 joint Soviet-Vietnamese tasks including the Halong experiments aboard Salyut 6
