Soyuz TM-8 crew (L-R): Aleksandr Viktorenko, Aleksandr Serebrov
Soyuz TM-8, launched September 5, 1989, carried the fifth crew (Mir EO-5) to the Mir space station. Its crew consisted of Commander Aleksandr Viktorenko and Aleksandr Serebrov. They spent over 166 days in space, returning to Earth February 1990.
Aleksandr Serebrov, born February 15, 1944 in Moscow, Russia, is a veteran of four space flights. He is one of the few people to fly for both the Soviet and Russian space programs.
His first mission was aboard Soyuz T-7, launched in August 1982 as Flight Engineer to Salyut 7. He returned two and half weeks later aboard Soyuz T-5.
His second mission was aboard Soyuz T-8 as Flight Engineer to Salyut 7 in April 1983. Unfortunately, the spacecraft failed to dock with the space station and returned to Earth two days later.
His third trip was aboard Soyuz TM-8 in September 1989 to Mir as part of expedition Mir EO-5 with fellow cosmonaut Aleksandr Viktorenko. They remained in space for 166 days before returning to Earth in February 1990.
Serebrov's fourth and final flight was aboard Soyuz TM-17, launched in July 1993 to Mir with fellow cosmonaut Vasili Tsibliyev. They remained in space for almost 197 days and returned to Earth in January 1994.
Aleksandr Viktorenko, born March 29, 1947 in the former Soviet Union, is a veteran of four Soyuz missions.
His first mission was as Commander of Soyuz TM-3, which launched July 1987 to the space station Mir. The flight was notable since fellow cosmonaut Muhammed Faris, was the first Syrian in space. They made up the crew of Mir EP-1, but they were not a long-term duration crew. They returned aboard Soyuz TM-2 about a week later.
His second mission was also as Commander aboard Soyuz TM-8 to Mir. He and fellow cosmonaut Aleksandr Serebrov were the 5th long term crew, Mir EO-5. They launched September 5, 1989 and returned February 19, 1990, after 166 days in space.
His third flight as commander was aboard Soyuz TM-14 to Mir, which launched March 17, 1992. It was the first Russian mission after the collapse of the Soviet Union. With Aleksandr Kaleri, they made up Mir EO-11 and retunred to Earth August 10, after 149 days in space.
Viktorenko's fourth and final mission was Commander on Soyuz TM-20 to Mir in October 1994, where he and Yelena Kondakova were crew Mir EO-17. They returned to Earth in March 1995 after 169 days in space.
In total, Viktorenko has spent a total of 489 days in space. He retired May 30, 1997.
