Launch from Baikonur; landing 72 km northeast of
Arkalyk.
Docking on
Soyuz
TM-8-MIR-Kvant-Kvant2 complex;
sixth resident crew
take turning the
fifth
resident crew.
Supplies with several cargo spaceships of type
Progress. Module Kristall (with food containers and the industrial processing
units Krater 3, Optizon 1, Zona 02, and Zona 03.) docked on the station on
10.06.1990.
The crew conducted an extensive programme of geophysical and
astrophysical research, experiments on biology and biotechnology and work on
space materials science. They started the commercial production of crystal in
highest quality for an US electronic company. A protein grow experiment was
also profitable (25 Million Rubel).
EVA on 17.07.1990
(7h 16m) in which spacecraft Soyuz TM-9 was repaired (three of the eight
thermal blankets (layers of foil vacuum-shield insulation) on the descent
module of the approaching Soyuz-TM 9 spacecraft had come loose from their
attachments near the heat shield, yet remained attached at their top ends).
Problems because of damage of Kvant2-module hatch. The hatch couldn't be
closed, so the cosmonauts were forced to use the emergency airlock of the
central compartment of Kvant. Another
EVA on
26.07.1990 (3h 31m) to repair the hatch failed.