Launch SuccessfulSoviet Space Program

Soyuz-U: Soyuz 16

Soyuz 16 was a crewed test flight in a preparation for a joint Soviet-US space flight. The mission began on December 2, 1974, 09:40:00 UTC, with a launch of commander Anatoly Filipchenko and flight engineer Nikolai Rukavishnikov into orbit. During their 6-day stay in orbit, crew tested various new and improved systems and elements, including the new docking system. Soyuz 16 ended on December 8, 1974, 08:03:35 UTC with a successful landing.

Monday, 2 December 1974

Mission Data

🇷🇺Soviet Space ProgramEst. 1931

Launch VehicleSoyuz U

Vehicle FamilySoyuz

Vehicle Record694 of 714 launches (97.2%)

Provider TypeGovernment

Agency Record2288 successes / 168 failures (93%)

Success Streak17 consecutive

ProgramSoyuz · Human Spaceflight

Mission TypeHuman Exploration

Target OrbitLow Earth Orbit

Launch Pad1/5

Location🇰🇿 Baikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of Kazakhstan KAZ

Orbital Launches This Year#103

Agency Launches This Year#77

Launches From This Pad487

Launches From This Site1,565

Status Note

The launch vehicle successfully inserted its payload(s) into the target orbit(s).

Launch Site

1/5 · 45.9200°N 63.3420°E

Launch data from Launch Library 2 by The Space Devs.