Sven Grahn
The Salyut-7 space station was launched on 19 April 1982. It had seven resident crews and four short-duration, visiting, crews. The third resident crew left the station on 2 October 1984. There had been repairs made to Salyut-7 in 1983 and 1984 when leaks were repaired by several space walks. But the really serious technical problem was still in the future. After the crew left in October 1984 I still kept a watch on radio signals from Salyut-7 whenever I had the chance through the winter of 1984-1985. I picked up Salyut-7 at 1311-1314 UT on 3 February 1985 on 192.0 MHz and 165.0 MHz, both PPM-AM signals. But on 1 March 1985 there was a TASS announcement that Salyut-7 had been "mothballed" and "had fulfilled its programme completely". Signals from Salyut-7 ceased. I was unable to pick up any signals on any of the frequencies used by Salyut-7.
In early March 1985 rumours started appearing in the West that Salyut-7 was out of control, tumbling, and that the repair of leaks made earlier in the mission had not succeeded and that the spacecraft would make an uncontrolled re-entry some time in the future. I was told about these rumours on 9 March and on 10 March I tried to pick up signals from Salyut-7 but heard nothing. On 14 March Mark Severance in Houston saw Salyut-7 and it was steady, contradicting the rumours of rapid tumbling. On 15 April Aviation Week published a very small item saying that Salyut-7 was not responding to commands (see below).
What had actually occurred was that on 11 February 1985, contact with Salyut 7 was lost as all systems on the station shut down. At that time the station was without crew. The latest crew (Leonid Kizim, Vladimir Solovyov and Oleg Atkov) had left the station on 2 October 1984 after a stay on the station lasting 237 days.
Unknown to the outside world it was decided to again attempt to repair the station. When the launch of Vladimir Dzhanibekov and Viktor Savinykh on Soyuz T-13 occurred at 0640 UT on 6 June 1985 it came as a complete surprise to outsiders. It was also launched at an unusual phasing relationship to the station - more like a Progress launch, pointing to a two-day rendezvous. Dzhanibekov was heading into space for his third visit to Salyut-7! And the docking had to be done without the help of the radio docking system IGLA - the cosmonauts had to rely on an optical rangefinder and some set-of-their-pants flying. In the picture below Dzhanibekov is on the left. (Image: Spacefacts )
I was tracking Soyuz T-13 on 121.75 MHz (and also telemetry frequencies) on 8 and 9 June. So did my friend Geoff Perry who played the tape of the crucial reception (corresponding to my recording 3) to Alan Sanders at BBC Caversham who translated it over the phone and confirmed that the crew had docked to and entered the space station. So Geoff (read here about the history of Geoff's space tracking operation) could publish this fact via ITN's Oracle teletext service at 1448 UT. At 1900 UT Radio Moscow announced the successful docking and entry. Docking actually occured at 0850 UT on 8 June 1985. Thus began what was to become in the words of author David S. F. Portree "one of the most impressive feats of in-space repairs in history". The image below was created by my Facebook friend Junior Miranda and depicts how he imagines the close approach of Soyuz T-13 to Salyut-7. Note that Juniour has left out the IGLA docking system antenna on a "tower" that Salyut-7 has. Since IGLA was not operational there was no need to carry the IGLA system.
On 12 June Geoff Perry noted the Salyut-7 voice transmitter on 142.4 MHz was reactivated by the crew, showing that power had been restored to the station. I was too busy at work to have time to listen to the cosmonauts then. But I picked up signals from Salyut-7 on most of its frequencies (voice on 142.4 MHz, telemetry on 192.0 MHz and slow-speed telemetry on 20.008 MHz) on 18 June 1985. I will not go into all the details of the salvage and subsequent missions to Salyut-7 (except the medical problems experienced later in 1985). Instead I am going to re-visit the activities on-board on 8 and 9 June 1985.
But, in March 2018, after reading about the success of the heroic movie about Salyut-7, it occured to me that I had never really listened to the recordings from the dramatic docking and entry into the space station or had them translated. So, I dug up the six recordings (I have more than a thousand recordings of voice from Soviet/Russian cosmonauts) from 8 and 9 June 1985 and posted them to my space history friends on Facebook. My Facebook friend Alexander Dzhuly and my long-time space history friend Igor Lissov of Novosti Kosmonavtiki transcribed the recordings to Russian (their Russian texts can be found here ) and their translations to English and various on-line translators did the rest of the job. Igor Lissov's efforts have been worked into the English translations as well. Some key phrases have been marked in red . The ground track maps below show where the crew was during the receptions. The radio horizon corresponds to zero degrees elevation angle. The original recording can be found by clicking on the headline of each translated reception. The time in the left column indicates the time in minutes and seconds from the start of the sound file.
Recording 1: 8 June 1985, 1008-1013 UT
| Comment from Igor Lissov: This recording has two topics: some attitude control
operations and pressure checks. Dzhanibekov and Savinykh set on (command
S5) and off (after the
end of record) the pressure equalization valve KVD between SU
(Literal translation: Docking
Station) and OB for 15
seconds. SU is the internal volume of the docking unit between the
two hatches BO/SU and SU/OB. Here OB is the object other than Soyuz --
don't know if these letters mean just object or orbital block. The purpose
is to find if Salyut-7 still contains atmosphere and, probably, if it is
breathable. Cosmonauts didn't close the hatch between BO (Living
compartment of Soyuz) andSA (Soyuz
re-entry vehicle) because the BO/SU hatch was in closed
position and helped isolate them from the experimental
volume. So, in summary, during this recording 1 an attempt was made to pressurize the SU from the Salyut 7 side. In fact it failed as the station was powerless and couldn't open the SU-OB KVD on the S5 command issued. |
TsUP: Accessible-- Let's do
this. 02:37 For 15 seconds.
Aha. Has
opened.
Time
Space/ground
voice
00:13
Vitya,
Chaika
[computer] power is on.
00:17
Select DPO-M1
00:37
G4 G3
00:50
BTsVK
[computer]
readiness
OK.
02:23
Accessible.
02:30
02:36
Hear
you.
TsUP:
For
15 seconds
you’ll
set
on
two
… under
KVD
and
SU-OB.
For
15 seconds.
And we’ll see if the indicator lights on or not. Even if it
doesn’t light up, after 15 seconds
[you’d input] the off
command.
02:55
02:56
TsUP: Can you input
this?
02:57
Yes.
03:00
TsUP:
You
are
to
input
S5
command
to set on the SU-OB KVD.
03:05
Well.
03:06
TsUP: And we'll
see.
03:08
Should
we
close
the
hatch?
To
SA?
03:10
TsUP:
The hatch? In general, it doesn’t matter, I believe you should
not.
03:17
Well.
We
wanted
to
ask
[you]
not
to
do
this.
03:25
Well,
OK…
03:27
TsUP:
As
soon
as
you
are
ready
[tell]
us
something…
03:31
Ready.
03:33
TsUP:
Go on, set it on for 15 seconds…
03:36
OK,
now.
We’re
punching.
The
pressure…
03:41
TsUP:
Where
do
we
handle?..
03:45
Yes,
this way.
S5
[command].
03:58
Recording 2: 8 June 1985 1140-1147 UT
| Comment from Igor
Lissov: The crew again pressurizes the SU but from another vehicle -- from Soyuz. Dzhanibekov and Savinykh set on (command S3) and then off (command S4) the pressure equalization valve KVD between BO and SU for 15 seconds. I was not able to understand the dynamics of pressure (620 then 360 then 400 mm Hg).between BO and SA because the BO/SU hatch was in closed position and helped isolate them from the experimental volume. |
| Time | Air-to-ground voice |
| 00:05 | Well, did you leave the hat there? |
| 01:39 | TsUP: KVD? |
| 01:44 | |
| 01:46 | TsUP: Open it. |
|
02:00 |
TsUP: …
valve
of
KVD.
For
15 seconds,
and
after
15 seconds
close
it.
Then
monitoring
for one minute according to… |
| 02:11 | |
| 02:15 | S3, 15 seconds. |
| 02:21 | 12 seconds |
| 02:21 | S… three… Command issued. Oh how it comes! The pressure in the SU.. |
| 02:33 | 15 seconds? |
| 02:38 | Pressure in the SU now shows 620. |
| 02:44 | TsUP: In a jump? |
| 02:45 | In a jump, yes. 15 seconds, set off. |
| 02:48 | S4 command was issued. |
| 02:54 | So. Transparency ... Pressure .... 200 ... 300..60 [360] |
| 03:53 | Good |
| 04:08 | OK. |
| 04:13 | TsUP: Now that we have some time… |
| 04:20 | Done! |
| 04:22 | TsUP: 16:01-16:50 (?) |
Recording 3: 8 June 1985 1315-1321 UT
|
Comment from Igor Lissov: This recording covers the minutes immediately before entry into Salyut. Dzhanibekov reported no change in pressure, then opened a KVD (which one?) and the BO/SU hatch. (For the second time, by the way.) Then he manipulated a plug? related to the SU/Salyut hatch to speed up the pressure equalization process. Many phrases in this recording can be also found in the Savinykh memoirs (Letters from the Dead Station) but the transcript in the book begins earlier and ends later then you record does. Nevertheless, in the common part your record is more detailed -- obviously the transcript was edited for brevity. Comparing your record and the transcript, I could see that the last SU/Salyut hatch was opened just after the end of your record. Before
Recording 3 started cosmonauts had entered the SU volume from
Soyuz and manually rotated to a certain degree the KVD plug to start the
air flow from Salyut, then retreated to Soyuz and closed the hatch again.
They opened it for the second time during your pass and manipulated the
plug again to speed up the pressure equalization. Just a minute or
two after the pass they finally opened the SU/Salyut
hatch. |
| Time | Air-to-ground voice |
| 00:56 | TsUP: Pamir! |
| 00:57 | In touch! The pressure is unchanged. Yes |
| 00:58 | TsUP: What? (did not catch) |
| 00:59 | Pressure … without changes. |
| 01:03 | TsUP: Without change? |
| 01:04 | Yes |
|
01:05 |
TsUP: Open KVD
and KKD. [KVD=Pressure Equalization Valve, KKD=Pressure Control Valve] |
| 01:08 | |
| 01:11 | |
| 01:12 | Earth: Both? Yes? |
| 01:15 | |
| 01:16 | Yes. It is leveled [pressure]. |
| 01:18 | TsUP: (weak) |
| 01:33 | As long as it goes.. |
|
01:38 |
TsUP:
That’s it, Volodya [Dzhanibekov]. We are to fly and
fly more, so we’ve nowhere to hurry. |
| 02:07 | TsUP: It is possible, still probably... (noise) |
| 02:25 | So, docking [Unit?] .... |
| 02:41 | 20 |
| 02:42 | 20 millimeters. Well, nothing - now open up. |
| 02:43 | Well, not a problem – now we’re going to open the hatch. |
| 02:57 | Opened ... the hatch |
| 02:59 | TsUP: Manipulate the plug. |
| 03:00 | Now, now, now |
| 03:06 | The hatch is open... |
| 03:10 |
TsUP: Is the plug hissing? |
| 03:12 | I do not understand! |
| 03:13 | TsUP: slightly move the plug... |
| 03:15 |
What for? |
| 03:16 | TSUP: Maybe it will somewhat pass [the air]. You’d equalize the pressure this way.. |
| 03:20 | Earth: And pressure can be leveled therby. |
| 03:22 | A little bit faster, huh? |
| 03:24 | TsUP: Of course |
| 03:25 | Is then this issue then... it is resolved quickly. |
| 03:39 | TsUP: (Inaudible). |
| 03:41 |
No. Everything is
normal. It is the familiar native smell of a
successful
docking. |
| 03:52 | So, I'm opening the vent a little bit more |
| 04:01 | ---sound of air escaping through an opening--- |
| 04:03 | Wow! ["Vo", exclamation of delight] |
| 04:05 | Now it's more fun. |
| 04:08 | Yes. |
| 04:25 | Normally. Only it is cold. |
|
04:28 |
And the humidity was high. Let's dry it. Clean up. |
| 04:33 | Pressure 714 [mm Hg] now... on my manometer |
| 04:40 |
All is
normal |
.
Recording 4: 9 June 1985 0858-0905 UT
| Time | Air-to-ground voice |
| 00:30 | AR |
| 00:33 | |
| 00:43 | |
| 00:44 | |
| 00:53 |
I will now
release |
|
01:06
|
Then it's very difficult to work on the
night side. Therefore during this time we did not have time to do anything. We are now engaged in the living compartment - dismantled the frame. There too.. |
| 01:29 | Not yet. |
| 01:43 | Aha, I get it. |
| ----- Long instruction about some actions ----- | |
| 02:17 |
Now the
connection will end and I'll start looking for |
| 02:22 | Good |
| 02:25 | He's somewhere under the sideboard. Those.
Under this sofa? |
| 02:49 | Clear |
| 02:56 | Disconnected |
| 03:00 | Do I detach the RM hose from BP2?
Yes? |
| 03:30 |
In general, the hose...the hose is twisted here into a bulge. so. |
|
---- dismantling of some equipment - cables,
connectors ---- |
|
Time |
Air-to-ground voice |
|
00:00 |
Yes, we have. Plus we have where? |
|
00:07 |
|
|
00:09 |
Volodya? |
|
00:12 |
Something we will not find * the question .. |
|
00:16 |
Say again where he is? |
|
|
----- an instruction about a device position ----- |
|
00:21 |
Yes |
|
00:51 |
Okay, well ... I'm not breathing |
|
00:58 |
Voltage |
|
01:03 |
Nil |
|
01:06 |
And what can this be? |
|
01:11 |
|
|
01:15 |
Absolutely nothing |
|
01:20 |
And I warmed up one. |
|
01:29 |
I'll run away and check it out. Now. There are no questions. |
|
01:37 |
Now |
|
01:41 |
There one connector warmed up and docked. |
|
02:19 |
I'll warm it up now. |
|
03:03 |
One and a half liters. |
|
03:09 |
We can go to the settings |
|
03:34 |
Take measure |
|
03:39 |
Well, what? He even tried it. Shows normally. |
|
03:45 |
1.5 Volts. |
|
03:47 |
Measured voltage for LTR |
|
03:54 |
Battery backup and there is 12 Volts. |
|
04:08 |
Now. |
|
04:12 |
I already and so and so. |
|
04:42 |
Is not such a tricky task here |
|
04:59 |
For 2.5 volts delivered. |
|
05:15 |
For 2.5 shows something - it means .... |
|
05:21 |
So 2.5 volts.The scale itself is 25 volts and we have three units worth.3 volts |
|
06:06 |
In general, here we have a scale of 25. |
|
06:16 |
Very convenient. |
|
06:39 |
Give me a screwdriver. |
|
07:12 |
In this connector the pins are a plug |
|
07:22 |
Now. Just a second! Flashlight. Now I'll take a look. |
| 07:34 | Between the first and the 17th - a short circuit. |
Recording 6 on 9 June 1985 1207-1216 UT
Time | Air-to-ground voice |
| 00:01 | 745...745/4 |
00:35 | |
| 01:11 | TsUP: Sixth orbit |
| 01:12 | TsUP: The last I give digits. |
01:13 | TsUP: 08 you put. |
01:17 | TsUP: Instead of 03 – 08 |
01:18 | Yes |
01:20 | TsUP: The seventh – instead of 52 you put 51. |
01:40 | TsUP: The fifth – 43 |
01:44 | TsUP: And the tenth – instead of 11 you put 12. |
01:51 | So … |
| 01:55 | The sixth - 17, 29, 07? |
02:01 | TsUP: 08 |
02:02 | 08! Yes. |
| 02:06 | 19 (noise) |
02:14 | 20, 40, 15? |
| 02:16 | TsUP: So! |
02:17 | 22, 15, 43? |
| 02:19 | TsUP: So! |
02:20 | 23, 50, 12 |
02:22 | TsUP: So, give me still the fifth and sixth. |
| 02:25 | 16,11,07 |
02:29 | TsUP: So. |
02:30 | 17, 29, 08 |
| 02:33 | TsUP: So. |
02:35 | 19, 04, 50, 8 |
02:41 | TsUP: Fifty 7 |
02:41 | 7? |
02:43 | TsUP: Seven, Seven . |
| 02:44 | Understood: Seven. |
02:46
| TsUP: So, Vitya, I want to thank you for the fact that you after the termination of communications session switch off the transmitter at once. And personally to thank you that you remove the headset during the communications session. |
| 03:05 | I understood you. |
03:07 | TsUP: So. |
03:13 | So, Zarya . |
| 03:15 | Zarya, number. |
| 03:18 | Means, here 745/10 the fourth. |
| 03:24 | Between the first and thirteenth there is a contact. And all others without contact. |
| 03:35 | TsUP: [On this block we put seven] |
| 03:44 | TsUP: Volodya? |
| 03:45 | Yes |
| 03:45 | TsUP: One more has to be an entrance. |
| 04:08 | TsUP: [You] [open power connectors for ring-up]. |
| 04:12 | So, now one second, one second – I understand where it still is – I do not see. |
| 04:19 | TsUP: Input of cells behind the fifty first panel. Two wires. |
| 04:22 | Hello, Kirill. |
| 04:24 | TsUP: Yes? |
| 04:26 | For the sixty-first? |
| 04:27 | TsUP: The fifty first. |
| 04:33 | So. Higher, huh? |
| 04:35 | Well. |
