| astronautix.com | Rozhdestvensky |
Planned second crew to the first Almaz space station. Cancelled after the loss of control of Almaz OPS 1 (Salyut 2) in orbit.
On 4 July Soyuz 14 docked with the Salyut 3 space station after 15 revolutions of the earth. The planned experimental program included manned military reconnaissance of the earth's surface, assessing the fundamental value of such observations, and some supplemental medico-biological research. All objectives were successfully completed and the spacecraft was recovered on July 19, 1974 at 12:21 GMT, landing within 2 km of the aim point 140 km SE Dzkezkazgan. After the crew's return research continued in the development of the on-board systems and the principles of remote control of such a station.
Soyuz 15 was to conduct the second phase of manned operations aboard the Salyut 3 military space station, but the Igla rendezvous system failed and no docking was made. The two day flight could only be characterised as '... research in manoeuvring and docking with the OPS in various modes, and development of methods for evacuation and landing from space complex in new conditions....' The crew was recovered on August 28, 1974 20:10 GMT. Officially: Conduct of joint experiments with the Salyut-3 orbital scientific station.
Planned but cancelled third mission to the Salyut 3 space station.
Manned two crew. Docked with Salyut 5. Conduct of joint experiments with the Salyut-5 orbital research station. Mission was to last for two months; cut short by a gradually worstening illness of Zholobov. Landed 200 km SW Kokchetav. Recovered August 25, 1976 18:33 GMT.
Soyuz 23 was to have docked with the Salyut 5 space station but its long-distance rendezvous system failed. It landed at night (October 16, 1976 17:46 GMT), in a snowstorm, in -20 deg C weather, on the surface of Lake Tengiz. The recovery crews did not find the capsule until the next morning, and were surprised to find the crew alive.
Third TKS flight that would have docked with the cancelled Almaz OPS 4 military space station. The spacecraft was instead flown unmanned to Salyut 7 as Cosmos 1686. For that mission the VA reentry capsule was retained but stripped of its heat shield and all recovery equpment. In their place military optical test sensors (infrared telescope and Ozon spectrometer) were installed.