Mission	Soyuz 9.
Date	Launched 1 June 1970. Returned 19 June 1970.
Highlights	Record Breaking Long Duration Flight (18 Days). Paved The Way For The Marathon Salyut Missions.

Original Soviet postcard issued in 1985 to commemorate the 15th Anniversary of the Soyuz 9 mission which was a long-duration mission to gather data on the effects of long-term space flight on humans and other organisms. The 18 day mission broke the previous duration record of 14 days held by the American Gemini 7 mission. Measures 6" x 4" and features Cosmonauts Nikolayev and Sevastyanov with a background of the Soyuz 9 launch and earth from space. Never used. Good condition.

Launched on the 19th April 1971, Salyut 1 was the world's first Space Station. Salyut 1 was used as an observation platform in order to gather data in the fields of astronomy, earth resources and meteorology. Two types of telescope were carried aboard Salyut 1. One of these instruments, called Orion 1, was designed t collect spectrograms of stars in the region of 2000 to 3000 angstroms in the electromagnetic spectrum. The other was a gamma-ray telescope, dubbed Anna III by the Soviets, which was capable of making observations of the Cosmos that are impossible from Earth's surface. Earth resources and meteorological photography was coordinated with the product of other spaceborne and air-breathing collecting systems. A hydroponic programme studied the effects of microgravity on growing plants, and numerous biomedical observations were made of the Cosmonauts themselves, in order to determine the effects of prolonged weightlessness on human physiology, proving their expertise in space medicine. Salyut 1 decayed and reentered Earth's atmosphere on the 11th October 1971 after just 6 months in space.

An official Soviet commemorative cover issued in 1981 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the launch of the Salyut 1 Space Station. The cover features traditional Soviet cosmos art with the inscription "The 10th anniversary of flight by the piloted orbital station Salyut". Stamped with an official Soviet postal stamp featuring the launch of a Soyuz rocket, Salyut 1 and the same inscription. Cancelled with a commemorative 10th anniversary stamp in Moscow on the 19th April 1981.

The Salyut 4 Space Station was launched on the 26th December 1974 and continued the alternating series of civilian and military missions. This station contained a great deal more scientific equipment than its predecessors but continued the tripartite research programme involving astronomy, Earth resources and biomedical observations. The orbit of Salyut 4 decayed on the 2nd February 1977.

Mission	Soyuz 18 / Salyut 4 Space Station
Date	Aborted Launch & Emergency Landing - 5th April 1975. Launched - 24th May 1975. Landed - 26th July 1975.

The Soyuz 18 mission to the Salyut 4 Space Station started with a launch on the 5th April 1975. The mission was forced into a sub-orbital abort when the rocket suffered a stage separation malfuntion and the crew made an emergency landing in Siberia with a brutal reentry of 12 G's. Although the flight only lasted 21 minutes, it was 24 hours before the cosmonauts were recovered. This was the only sub-orbital flight of the Soyuz programme and, more important, the only downrange abort in manned spaceflight history.
The second attempt at Soyuz 18, with new cosmonauts Klimuk and Sevastyonov, launched on the 24th May and docked with the Salyut 4 Space Station. The crew spent 62 days aboard the Space Station and exchanged greetings with the crew of Soyuz 19 (Apollo-Soyuz) during their mission. The crew landed on the 26th July.
This Soviet postcard features an artist conception of the Salyut 4 Space Station in Earth orbit. It features the official Soviet postal stamp issued to commemorate the mission (second attempt) and cancelled at the Baikonur Cosmodrome on Cosmonautics Day; 12th April 1987. Very rare and mint condition.

Launched on the 29th September 1977, the Salyut 6 Space Station was the most successful of the DOS series prior to Mir. It was aloft for four years and ten months, completing 27,785 orbits of the earth. Five main expeditions and 11 short duration expeditions visited the station, of which nine had international crews. A total of 676 days of piloted operations were conducted by 27 cosmonauts with steadily increasing flight durations. Salyut 6 allowed the conduct of scientific and technical research and experiments; further testing of station design, on-board system and equipment. Salyut 6 was commanded to reentry using Kosmos 1267 propulsion system over the Pacific Ocean on the 29th July 1982.

Mission	Soyuz 28 / Salyut 6 Space Station.
Date	Launched 2 March 1878. Returned 10 March 1978.
Highlights	First Czechoslovakian Citizen In Space. First Intercosmos Mission.

Original official Soviet enamelled pin badge issued in March 1978 for the Soyuz 28 mission to the Salyut 6 Space Station. This was the first 'intercosmos' mission which invited foreign people from outside the USSR to spend up to one week in Space.

Mission	Soyuz 28 / Salyut 6 Space Station.
Date	Launched 2 March 1878. Returned 10 March 1978.
Highlights	First Czechoslovakian Citizen In Space. First Intercosmos Mission.

Original Soviet first day cover issued to commemorate the Soyuz 28 mission to the Salyut 6 Space Station and the first ever Intercosmos mission which invited foreign people from outside the USSR to spend up to one week in space. Features the approach to docking of Soyuz and Salyut 6. Bears official commemorative Soyuz 28 postal stamp. Cancelled at the Baikonur Cosmodrome on Cosmonautics Day 1987.

Mission	Soyuz 28 / Salyut 6 Space Station.
Date	Launched 2 March 1878. Returned 10 March 1978.
Highlights	First Czechoslovakian Citizen In Space. First Intercosmos Mission.

Original Soviet first day cover issued to commemorate the successful conclusion and landing of the Soyuz 28 mission to the Salyut 6 Space Station and the first ever Intercosmos mission which invited foreign people from outside the USSR to spend up to one week in space. Features the Soyuz and Salyut docked together with the Intercosmos emblem. Bears official 1978 commemorative Intercosmos postal stamp. Cancelled with a commemorative hand stamp inscribed "International Flights In Space - SPACE MAIL - Soyuz 28 to Salyut 6" on landing day.

Mission	Soyuz 28 / Salyut 6 Space Station.
Date	Launched 2 March 1878. Returned 10 March 1978.
Highlights	First Czechoslovakian Citizen In Space. First Intercosmos Mission.

Original Soviet first day cover issued to commemorate the successful conclusion and landing of the Soyuz 28 mission to the Salyut 6 Space Station and the first ever Intercosmos mission which invited foreign people from outside the USSR to spend up to one week in space. Features the docking of Soyuz and Salyut with the Intercosmos emblem and flags of both the Soviet Union and Czechoslovakia. Bears official commemorative Soyuz 28 postal stamp. Cancelled with a commemorative hand stamp inscribed "International Flights In Space - SPACE MAIL - Soyuz 28 to Salyut 6" on landing day.

Mission	Soyuz 28 / Salyut 6 Space Station.
Date	Launched 2 March 1878. Returned 10 March 1978.
Highlights	First Czechoslovakian Citizen In Space. First Intercosmos Mission.

Original Soviet first day cover issued to commemorate the successful conclusion and landing of the Soyuz 28 mission to the Salyut 6 Space Station and the first ever Intercosmos mission which invited foreign people from outside the USSR to spend up to one week in space. Features the docking of Soyuz and Salyut with the Intercosmos emblem and flags of both the Soviet Union and Czechoslovakia. Bears two official commemorative Soyuz 28 postal stamps. Cancelled with a commemorative hand stamp in Moscow on the 24th March 1978.

Mission	Soyuz 29 / Salyut 6 Space Station.
Date	Launched 15th June 1978. Returned 3rd September 1978.

Original Soviet first day cover issued to commemorate the successful conclusion of the record breaking Soyuz 29 mission to the Salyut 6 Space Station. Features the launch of a Soyuz rocket. Stamped with the official Soyuz 29 Soviet postal stamp and cancelled in Moscow on the 20th December 1978.

Mission	Soyuz 29 / Salyut 6 Space Station.
Date	Launched 15th June 1978. Returned 3rd September 1978.

Original Soviet cover issued in celebration of Cosmonautics Day in 1979. Features the Intercosmos emblem with the inscription "12 April - Cosmonautics Day". Stamped with official Soviet postal stamp featuring Cosmonauts Ivanchenkov and Kovalenok with the Salyut 6 Space Station. Cancelled on Cosmonautics Day itself with a commemorative hand-stamp in Moscow. Hand signed by Soyuz 29 Commander Ivanchenkov.

Mission	Soyuz 30 / Salyut 6 Space Station.
Date	Launched 27 June 1978. Returned 5 July 1978.
Highlights	First Polish Citizen In Space.

Original official Soviet enamelled pin badge issued in June 1978 for the Soyuz 30 mission to the Salyut 6 Space Station.

Mission	Soyuz 30 / Salyut 6 Space Station.
Date	Launched 27 June 1978. Returned 5 July 1978.
Highlights	First Polish Citizen In Space.

Official Soviet commemorative first day cover issued to commemorate the successful conclusion and return of the Soyuz 30 mission to the Salyut 6 Space Station in 1978. Features both the Intercosmos emblem and the Intercosmos'78 emblem with the inscription "International Flights In Space". Bears official Soviet postal stamp issued for the mission. Cancelled with a commemorative hand stamp inscribed "SPACE MAIL - Branch Of Communications" (Mission Control Center) on landing day.

Mission	Soyuz 31 / Salyut 6 Space Station.
Date	Launched 26 August 1978. Returned 3 September 1978.
Highlights	First East German Citizen In Space.

Original official Soviet enamelled pin badge issued in August 1978 for the Soyuz 31 mission to the Salyut 6 Space Station.

Mission	Soyuz 31 / Salyut 6 Space Station.
Date	Launched 26 August 1978. Returned 3 September 1978.
Highlights	First East German Citizen In Space.

Original Soviet first day cover issued to commemorate the successful conclusion and landing of the Soyuz 31 mission to the Salyut 6 Space Station in 1978. Features the Soyuz and Salyut docked together above the Intercosmos emblem with the flags of both the Soviet Union and East Germany. Bears official 1978 commemorative Soyuz 31 postal stamp. Both the cover and stamp are inscribed "International Flights In Space". Cancelled with a commemorative hand stamp inscribed "SPACE MAIL - Branch Of Communication" (Mission Control Center) on landing day.

Mission	Soyuz 33 / Salyut 6 Space Station.
Date	Launched 10 April 1979. Returned 12 April 1979.
Highlights	First Bulgarian Citizen In Space. Failed To Dock. Mission Aborted.

Original official Soviet enamelled pin badge issued in April 1979 for the Soyuz 33 mission to the Salyut 6 Space Station. They suffered a major engine failure and failed to dock with the Salyut 6 Space Station.

Mission	Soyuz 33 / Salyut 6 Space Station.
Date	Launched 10 April 1979. Returned 12 April 1979.
Highlights	First Bulgarian Citizen In Space. Failed To Dock. Mission Aborted.

Original Soviet first day cover issued to celebrate the launch of the Soyuz 33 mission to the Salyut 6 Space Station in 1979. Features the Soyuz and Salyut in earth orbit with both the Soviet and Bulgarian flags. Bears official 1979 commemorative Soyuz 33 postal stamp. Both the cover and stamp are inscribed "International Flights In Space". Cancelled with a commemorative hand stamp in Moscow on the actual launch day.

Mission	Soyuz 35 / Salyut 6 Space Station.
Date	Launched 9th April 1980. Landed 11th October 1980.

The Soyuz 35 crew spent 185 days in orbit, received four visiting crews and resupplied by four Progress crafts. Much of their time was spent refurbishing the space station which marked its 1000th day in Orbit during their stay. The crew returned in the Soyuz 37 craft.
Official Soviet first day cover commemorating the Soyuz 35 mission which carried cosmonauts Popov and Ryumin to the Salyut 6 space station. Features the official commemorative Soyuz 35 - Salyut 6 - Soyuz 37 mission postal stamp. Measures 4.5" x 6.5". Mint condition.

Mission	Soyuz 35 / Salyut 6 Space Station.
Date	Launched 9th April 1980. Landed 11th October 1980.

The Soyuz 35 crew spent 185 days in orbit, received four visiting crews and resupplied by four Progress crafts. Much of their time was spent refurbishing the space station which marked its 1000th day in Orbit during their stay. The crew returned in the Soyuz 37 craft.
These are the official Soviet postal stamps issued in 1980 to celebrate the Soyuz 35 mission to the Salyut 6 Space Station. They all have a face value of 15K and depict either the Soyuz 35 crew or Salyut 6 and Soyuz 35 docked in Earth orbit (in a two-part configuration allowing both designs to form one 30K stamp). This is an entire full sheet as issued, containing 20 individual stamps!. Really wonderful design and absolute mint condition.

Mission	Soyuz 36 / Salyut 6 Space Station.
Date	Launched 26 May 1980. Returned 3 June 1980.
Highlights	First Hungarian Citizen In Space.

Original official Soviet enamelled pin badge issued in May 1980 for the Soyuz 36 mission to the Salyut 6 Space Station.

Mission	Soyuz 36 / Salyut 6 Space Station.
Date	Launched 26 May 1980. Returned 3 June 1980.
Highlights	First Hungarian Citizen In Space.

Original Soviet first day cover issued to celebrate the Soyuz 36 mission to the Salyut 6 Space Station. Features the docking of Soyuz and Salyut with the Intercosmos emblem and flags of both the Soviet Union and Hungary. Bears official 1980 commemorative Soyuz 36 postal stamp. Both the cover and stamp are inscribed "International Flights In Space". Cancelled with a commemorative hand stamp in Moscow on the 27th May 1980.

Mission	Soyuz 36 / Salyut 6 Space Station.
Date	Launched 26 May 1980. Returned 3 June 1980.
Highlights	First Hungarian Citizen In Space.

Original Soviet first day cover issued to celebrate the Soyuz 36 mission to the Salyut 6 Space Station. Features the docking of Soyuz and Salyut with the Intercosmos emblem and flags of both the Soviet Union and Hungary. Bears official 1980 commemorative Soyuz 36 postal stamp. Both the cover and stamp are inscribed "International Flights In Space". Cancelled with a commemorative hand stamp in Moscow on the 28th May 1980.

Mission	Soyuz 36 / Salyut 6 Space Station.
Date	Launched 26 May 1980. Returned 3 June 1980.
Highlights	First Hungarian Citizen In Space.

Original Soviet first day cover issued to celebrate the Soyuz 36 mission to the Salyut 6 Space Station. Features the docking of Soyuz and Salyut with the Intercosmos emblem and flags of both the Soviet Union and Hungary. Bears official 1980 commemorative Soyuz 36 postal stamp. Both the cover and stamp are inscribed "International Flights In Space". Cancelled with a commemorative hand stamp in Moscow on the 4th June 1980.

Mission	Soyuz 37 / Salyut 6 Space Station.
Date	Launched 23 July 1980. Returned 31 July 1980.
Highlights	First Vietnamese Citizen In Space.

Original official Soviet enamelled pin badge issued in July 1980 for the Soyuz 37 mission to the Salyut 6 Space Station.

Mission	Soyuz 37 / Salyut 6 Space Station.
Date	Launched 23 July 1980. Returned 31 July 1980.
Highlights	First Vietnamese Citizen In Space.

Original Soviet first day cover issued to celebrate the Soyuz 37 mission to the Salyut 6 Space Station. Features the Soyuz and Salyut docked together with the Intercosmos emblem and flags of both the Soviet Union and Vietnam. Bears official 1980 commemorative Soyuz 37 postal stamp. Both the cover and stamp are inscribed "International Flights In Space". Cancelled with a commemorative hand stamp in Star City (Home of the Cosmonauts) on the 12th April 1981; Cosmonautics Day.

Mission	Soyuz 38 / Salyut 6 Space Station.
Date	Launched 18 September 1980. Returned 26 September 1980.
Highlights	First Cuban Citizen In Space.

Original official Soviet enamelled pin badge issued in September 1980 for the Soyuz 38 mission to the Salyut 6 Space Station.

Mission	Soyuz 38 / Salyut 6 Space Station.
Date	Launched 18 September 1980. Returned 26 September 1980.
Highlights	First Cuban Citizen In Space.

Original Soviet first day cover issued to celebrate the Soyuz 38 mission to the Salyut 6 Space Station. Features Cosmonaut training and Soyuz launch with the Intercosmos emblem and flags of both the Soviet Union and Cuba. Bears official 1980 commemorative Soyuz 38 postal stamp. Both the cover and stamp are inscribed "International Flights In Space". Cancelled with a commemorative hand stamp in Moscow on the 19th September 1980.

Mission	Soyuz 38 / Salyut 6 Space Station.
Date	Launched 18 September 1980. Returned 26 September 1980.
Highlights	First Cuban Citizen In Space.

Original Soviet first day cover issued to celebrate the Soyuz 38 mission to the Salyut 6 Space Station. Features Cosmonaut training and Soyuz launch with the Intercosmos emblem and flags of both the Soviet Union and Cuba. Bears official 1980 commemorative Soyuz 38 postal stamp. Both the cover and stamp are inscribed "International Flights In Space". Cancelled with a commemorative hand stamp in Moscow on the 20th September 1980.

Mission	Soyuz 38 / Salyut 6 Space Station.
Date	Launched 18 September 1980. Returned 26 September 1980.
Highlights	First Cuban Citizen In Space.

Original Soviet first day cover issued to celebrate successful conclusion and return of the Soyuz 38 mission to the Salyut 6 Space Station. Features Cosmonaut training and Soyuz launch with the Intercosmos emblem and flags of both the Soviet Union and Cuba. Bears official 1980 commemorative Soyuz 38 postal stamp which illustrates the Cosmonauts and capsule after the landing. Both the cover and stamp are inscribed "International Flights In Space". Cancelled with a commemorative hand stamp in Moscow on the 27th September 1980.

Mission	Soyuz 39 / Salyut 6 Space Station.
Date	Launched 22 March 1981. Returned 30 March 1981.
Highlights	First Mongolian Citizen In Space.

Original official Soviet enamelled pin badge issued in March 1981 for the Soyuz 39 mission to the Salyut 6 Space Station.

Mission	Soyuz 39 / Salyut 6 Space Station.
Date	Launched 22 March 1981. Returned 30 March 1981.
Highlights	First Mongolian Citizen In Space.

Original Soviet first day cover issued to celebrate the Soyuz 39 mission to the Salyut 6 Space Station. Features Soyuz spacecraft with the Intercosmos emblem and flags of both the Soviet Union and Mongolia. Bears official 1981 commemorative Soyuz 39 postal stamp illustrating the launch. Both the cover and stamp are inscribed "International Flights In Space". Cancelled with a commemorative hand stamp in Moscow on the 23rd March 1981.

Mission	Soyuz 39 / Salyut 6 Space Station.
Date	Launched 22 March 1981. Returned 30 March 1981.
Highlights	First Mongolian Citizen In Space.

Original Soviet first day cover issued to celebrate the Soyuz 39 mission to the Salyut 6 Space Station. Features Soyuz spacecraft with the Intercosmos emblem and flags of both the Soviet Union and Mongolia. Bears official 1981 commemorative Soyuz 39 postal stamp illustrating Mongolian citizens following the mission. Both the cover and stamp are inscribed "International Flights In Space". Cancelled with a commemorative hand stamp in Moscow on the 24th March 1981.

Mission	Soyuz 39 / Salyut 6 Space Station.
Date	Launched 22 March 1981. Returned 30 March 1981.
Highlights	First Mongolian Citizen In Space.

Original Soviet first day cover issued to celebrate the Soyuz 39 mission to the Salyut 6 Space Station. Features Soyuz spacecraft with the Intercosmos emblem and flags of both the Soviet Union and Mongolia. Bears official 1981 commemorative Soyuz 39 postal stamp illustrating the return of the spacecraft. Both the cover and stamp are inscribed "International Flights In Space". Cancelled with a commemorative hand stamp in Moscow on the 30th March 1981.

Mission	Soyuz 40 / Salyut 6 Space Station.
Date	Launched 14 May 1981. Returned 22 May 1981.
Highlights	First Romanian Citizen In Space. Final Flight Of Second Generation Soyuz. Final Flight In Phase 1 Of The Intercosmos Programme.

Original official Soviet enamelled pin badge issued in May 1981 for the Soyuz 40 mission to the Salyut 6 Space Station. This was the last flight of the 2nd generation Soyuz spacecraft.

Mission	Soyuz 40 / Salyut 6 Space Station.
Date	Launched 14 May 1981. Returned 22 May 1981.
Highlights	First Romanian Citizen In Space. Final Flight Of Second Generation Soyuz. Final Flight In Phase 1 Of The Intercosmos Programme.

Official Soviet first day cover issued to commemorate the Soyuz 40 mission to the Salyut 6 Space Station. Cover features Soyuz 40 spacecraft in orbit with the Intercosmos emblem and both the Soviet and Romanian flags. Bears the official issue Soyuz 40 commemorative postal stamp illustrating Cosmonaut training. Both the cover and stamp read "International Flights In Space". Cancelled in Moscow on the 15th May 1981.

Mission	Soyuz 40 / Salyut 6 Space Station.
Date	Launched 14 May 1981. Returned 22 May 1981.
Highlights	First Romanian Citizen In Space. Final Flight Of Second Generation Soyuz. Final Flight In Phase 1 Of The Intercosmos Programme.

Official Soviet first day cover issued to commemorate the Soyuz 40 mission to the Salyut 6 Space Station. Cover features Soyuz 40 spacecraft in orbit with the Intercosmos emblem and both the Soviet and Romanian flags. Bears the official issue Soyuz 40 commemorative postal stamp illustrating Cosmonauts in space. Both the cover and stamp read "International Flights In Space". Cancelled in Moscow on the 16th May 1981.

Mission	Soyuz 40 / Salyut 6 Space Station.
Date	Launched 14 May 1981. Returned 22 May 1981.
Highlights	First Romanian Citizen In Space. Final Flight Of Second Generation Soyuz. Final Flight In Phase 1 Of The Intercosmos Programme.

Official Soviet first day cover issued to commemorate the Soyuz 40 mission to the Salyut 6 Space Station. Cover features Soyuz 40 spacecraft in orbit with the Intercosmos emblem and both the Soviet and Romanian flags. Bears the official issue Soyuz 40 commemorative postal stamp illustrating Cosmonauts welcome home. Both the cover and stamp read "International Flights In Space". Cancelled in Moscow on the 23rd May 1981.

Mission	Soyuz T-3 / Salyut 6 Space Station.
Date	Launched 27th November 1980. Landed 10th December 1980.
Highlights	First three man flight in a decade. Performed significant repairs to the Salyut 6 space station.

Official Soviet first day cover commemorating the Soyuz T-3 mission which carried cosmonauts Kizim, Makarov and Streakalov to the Salyut 6 space station. Features the launch of a Soyuz rocket and the official Soyuz T-3 postal stamp. Cancelled in Moscow on the 20th March 1981.