Soyuz 33

Launch, orbit & landing data: Designation  11324 / 79029A Launch date - time  10 Apr 1979 - 17:34:34 UT Launch site  Baikonur, LC31 Launch vehicle  Soyuz 11A511U OKB name - S/N°  Soyuz 7K-T s/n 49 Basic shape  Sphere-cylinder + 2 wings Dimension (m)  7.5 long, 2.3 to 2.72 dia Mass (kg)  6800? kg Flight Crew (EP-5)  Rukavishnikov, Nikolai (CDR) Ivanov, Georgi (CR) Call Sign  Saturn Backup crew  Romanenko, Alexandrov A. Earth orbit on Apr 10.8:    - Perigee / Apogee  194 x 261 km    - Eccentricity  0.005    - Inclination  51.61°    - Period  88.98 min Deorbit date - time  12 Apr 1979 - 15:46:49 UT Landing date - time  12 Apr 1979 - 16:35:40 UT Landing location  46°N, 69°E 320 km southeast of Dzheskasgan Flight Duration (d:u:min)  01d 23h 01m 06s (1.96 days) Nbr orbits  31

Flight Crew

Mission details:

• Manned two crew. Fourth Intercosmos programme of an international team consisting of N N Rukavishnikov (USSR) and first Bulgarian cosmonaut G I Ivanov .
• Soyuz 33 approched Salyut 6-Soyuz 32 on 11 Apr 1979 (19:12 UT), but failed to dock.
  
• The main engine of their Soyuz 33 ferry malfunction during the docking manoeuvre with the orbiting station on 11 April 1979 and the capsule was prepared for an emergency re-entry, during which the crew was subjected to accelerations of up to 10g before landing safety, 320 km SE of Dzhezkazgan.

Astrophilately covers:

Launch cancel Baikonur, send registrated and signed by crew.

Cover with Baikonur and Bulgarian board-cancel: 12-IV-1979, signed by crew.

Special undocking board-cancel, signed by crew.