Soyuz TM-32 launched 2001

Soyuz TM-32 launch crew (L-R): Dennis Tito, Talgat Musabayev, Yuri Baturin

Soyuz TM-32 mission patch

Soyuz TM-32, launched April 28, 2001, carried the crew of ISS EP-1 to the International Space Station.  Its crew consisted of Commander Talgat Musabayev and Yuri Baturin.  They were joined by space tourist Dennis Tito, an entrepreneur who funded his own trip into space. 

Soyuz TM-32 returned to Earth in October 2001 with Viktor Afansayev, Claudie Haignere and Konstantin Kozeyev.

Happy birthday, Kazakh cosmonaut Talgat Musabayev!

Talgat Musabayev, born January 7, 1951 in present-day Kazakhstan, is a veteran of three space flights.  

His first trip was aboard Soyuz TM-19 as Flight Engineer to the space station Mir, in July 1994.  He participated in expedition Mir EO-16 and returned to Earth in November 1994.

His second flight was aboard Soyuz TM-27 as Commander to Mir in January 1998.  He participated in expedition Mir EO-25 and returned to Earth in August 1998.

His third and final mission was aboard Soyuz TM-32 to the International Space Station in April 2001.  He participated in expedition ISS EP-1.  He returned to Earth on Soyuz TM-31 in May 2001.

He has spent over 341 days in space. 

Soyuz TM-27 launched 1998

Soyuz TM-27 crew

 

Mission patch

Soyuz TM-27, the 33rd expedition to Mir, launched on January 29, 1998, carried two cosmonauts and one French astronaut into space.  Its crew consisted of Commander Talgat Musabayev, Flight Engineer Nikolai Budarin and Research Cosmonaut Leopold Eyharts.

The crew carried out a number of routine experiements, repaired the Spektr solar panel and installed a new VDU station orientation system.

Musabayev and Budarin returned with Soyuz TM-27 in August 1998 but Eyharts hitched a ride home in February 1998.