TKS with FGB and VA (Merkur)
TKS consisting of FGB functional cargo block on the right
and VA crew capsule on the left
(Credit: NASA)
In the early 1960's, Sergei Korolev and his OKB-1 Design Bureau were preoccupied with the development of the Soyuz vehicles. As a result, development of the first Soviet space stations fell upon the OKB-52 Design Bureau and Vladimir N. Chelomei. Development of Almaz system began 12 October 1964. The TKS vehicle was designed alongside the Almaz as a vehicle to deliver crew and supplies.
The TKS vehicle had two modules. The FGB functional control block (for delivery of supplies), and the VA crew capsule, referred to in the West as "Merkur".
Drawing of the VA crew capsule (Credit: NASA)
The VA crew capsule, about 2/3 the size of the American Apollo capsule, could accommodate three cosmonauts. Although it was extensively tested, it never did fly with an actual crew on board. This was due to political rivalry between the OKB-1 and OKB-52 Design Bureaus.
Conjectural cutaway view of the TKS vehicle
Broad black lines designate the pressurized areas
A tunnel connects the FGB and VA capsule
(Credit: NASA)
TKS Missions
Cosmos 881 and 882
15 December 1976
Launch and orbital test of two VA capsules stacked atop a Proton rocket. Both
capsules reentered the same day.
Cosmos 9290
17 July 1977 - 2 February 1978
TKS (FGB+VA) were launched together for the first time. The VA capsule was
detached and landed in central Asia on 18 August 1977. The FGB was intentionally
de-orbited 2 February 1978.
Launch failure
4 August 1977
Two VA capsules were stacked atop a Proton rocket for a suborbital test. The
Proton failed and exploded 40 seconds after launch. The bottom VA capsule was
destroyed, but the upper capsule was jettisoned and safely recovered.
Cosmos 997 and 998
30 March 1978
Two VA capsules launched together for a single orbit test. Both capsules safely
recovered the same day.
Cosmos 1100 and 1101
22-23 May 1979
Dual launch of VA capsules. One capsule landed safely after a single orbit. The
second capsule suffered electrical problems and did not land correctly after two
orbits.
Cosmos 1267
25 April 1981 - 29 July 1982
The TKS was launched unmanned. The VA capsule landed 24 May 1981. The FGB
orbited for 57 days before docking at Salyut 6 on 19 June 1981. It remained
docked until it was detached, de-orbited, and destroyed 29 July 1982.
Cosmos 1443
2 March - 19 September 1983
The entire TKS docked with the Saylut 7 station two days after launch. The TKS
then detached from the station on 14 August 1983 and separated into its FGB and
VA components. The VA continued to orbit alone for 4 more days before landing on
23 August 1983. The FGB orbit continued until orbital decay caused it to reenter
on 19 September 1983.
On 19 December 1981, the order was issued to shut down TKS development. A leftover TKS vehicle was heavily modified for scientific use. In the VA, the retro rockets, parachute packages, seats, and electronic and manned controls were replaced scientific instruments.
Cosmos 1686 - note the VA capsule heavily modified to house
scientific experiments (Credit: NASA)
Cosmos 1686
27 September 1985 - 7 February 1991
This heavily modified vehicle docked with Salyut 7 on 2 October 1985. The
engines on the TKS were used 19-22 August 1986 to boost the vacant
Salyut 7 to a
higher orbit. Both the TKS and Salyut 7 suffered major systems breakdowns
shortly thereafter, but there was not enough fuel remaining for a controlled
de-orbit. Both vehicles underwent uncontrolled reentry on 7 February 1991.
Page last modified: 20 June 2022 16:58:41.
