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| A Soyuz 8 First Day Cover from "KNIGA", postmarked in Moscow with a hand cancel on October 22, 1969, signed by Vladimir Shatalov and Aleksei Yeliseyev. |
Soyuz 8 was the third spacecraft in the group flight, launching from Baikonur on October 13, 1969, with Vladimir Shatalov and Aleksei Yeliseyev aboard. Its principal objective was to rendezvous with Soyuz 7 and carry out the planned docking and crew-transfer operation, while Soyuz 6 was positioned nearby to observe and photograph the maneuver.
Soyuz 8 successfully rendezvoused with Soyuz 7, but the two spacecraft were unable to dock because the Igla automatic rendezvous system failed to establish the necessary communications between the spacecraft. The mission nevertheless provided valuable experience in orbital maneuvering and coordinated flight. Soyuz 8 returned to Earth on October 18, 1969, completing a mission lasting 4 days, 22 hours, and 50 minutes.
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| Photo: The seven cosmonauts from Soyuz 6, 7 and 8 missions. |
