RUSSIAN FEDERAL SPACE AGENCY (ROSCOSMOS)

Soyuz-U2 | Soyuz TM-18

SUCCESSJan 8, 1994 at 10:05 UTCSoyuz-U
PAD1/5
SITEBaikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of Kazakhstan →
ORBITLow Earth Orbit
TYPEHuman Exploration
PROGRAMSoyuz

Soyuz TM-18 was the 18th mission and the 15th long-duration expedition to Mir space station. The mission began on January 8, 1994, 10:05:34 UTC, launching Commander Viktor Afanasyev, Flight Engineer Yury Usachov and Research Cosmonaut Valeri Polyakov into orbit. They docked with Mir two days later. During their stay there, cosmonauts carried out various scientific experiments in medicine, material sciences, astrophysics etc. Station crew was visited by several Progress resupply spacecrafts, and welcomed aboard the Soyuz TM-19 crew.
The mission concluded with a safe landing back on Earth on July 9, 1994, 10:32:35 UTC.

VEHICLE
Soyuz-U
MISSION
Soyuz TM-18
MISSION TYPE
Human Exploration
TARGET ORBIT
Low Earth Orbit
LAUNCH PAD
1/5
PROGRAM
Soyuz
COUNTRY
RUS
CONFIRMEDPrecision: Minute
LAUNCH LIBRARY 2 PRIMARY
API ID: 606f553f-21f3-4d71-b2a2-4076661504d9
Reported date: Jan 8, 1994 at 10:05 UTC
Last synced: 6 hours ago
This launch date and time are confirmed by the launch provider. Countdown is active.
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Soyuz TM 11F732A51 #67SERIAL
1FLIGHTS
MirDESTINATION
Single UseSTATUS

Soyuz TM-18 was a Soyuz spacecraft which launched on 8 January 1994 10:05 UTC. It transported three members of the Expedition 15 crew to Mir. The crew consisted of Viktor…

CREW MANIFEST
Viktor AfanasyevCommander
Valeri PolyakovResearch Cosmonaut
Yury UsachovFlight Engineer
MANUFACTURER
Soviet Space Program
VARIANT
2
FLIGHTS
71
SUCCESSES
71
SUCCESS RATE
100%

The Soyuz-U2 was a Soviet, later Russian, carrier rocket. It was derived from the Soyuz-U, and a member of the R-7 family of rockets. It featured increased performance compared with the baseline Soyuz-U, due to the use of syntin propellant, as opposed to RP-1 paraffin, used on the Soyuz-U.

When is the Soyuz-U2 | Soyuz TM-18 launch?
The Soyuz-U2 | Soyuz TM-18 is scheduled for Saturday, January 8, 1994 at 10:05 AM UTC. This is the NET (No Earlier Than) time and may be subject to change. Current status: SUCCESS.
What rocket is being used for Soyuz TM-18?
The Soyuz-U2 | Soyuz TM-18 mission uses the Soyuz-U rocket, manufactured by Soviet Space Program. The Soyuz-U has flown 71 times with a 100% success rate.
Where is the Soyuz-U2 | Soyuz TM-18 launching from?
The launch takes place from 1/5 at Baikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of Kazakhstan.
What orbit is Soyuz TM-18 going to?
The Soyuz TM-18 mission is targeting Low Earth Orbit.
Who is launching Soyuz TM-18?
The Soyuz-U2 | Soyuz TM-18 is operated by Russian Federal Space Agency (ROSCOSMOS). It is part of the Soyuz program.
Can I watch the Soyuz-U2 | Soyuz TM-18 launch live?
Yes. Visit the launch detail page on Space Launch Live for embedded YouTube webcasts, replay videos, and links to live coverage from SpaceX, NASA, NASASpaceflight, and other channels.
Mar 29, 2026 03:06 UTC
Launch added to tracker
Imported from Launch Library 2 API
Mar 29, 2026 03:06 UTC
Launch date set: Jan 8, 1994 at 10:05 UTC
NET (No Earlier Than) confirmed by Russian Federal Space Agency (ROSCOSMOS)
Mar 29, 2026 03:06 UTC
Launch completed successfully
Updated via Launch Library 2
Last data sync: 6 hours ago
Launch Library 26 hours ago
Launch ID: 606f553f-21f3-4d71-b2a2-4076661504d9
Open-Meteo Weather6 hours ago
Pad weather at 45.92, 63.34