{"product_id":"mir-progress-crash-flown-checklist-11311","title":"MIR-Progress crash 1997 – FLOWN checklist that initiated the fatal docking !","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMIR-FLOWN PROGRESS M-34 FATAL REDOCKING CHECKLIST\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHand-Annotated and Signed by Michael Foale, Vasili Tsibliyev and Aleksandr Lazutkin\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFour Mir Onboard Postmarks - one with the day of the disaster\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrom the Personal Collection of Renowned Astrophilatelist Jacques Bracke\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn extraordinary original \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eone-sheet operational checklist from the Mir space station\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, printed on both sides and associated with the ill-fated \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProgress M-34 manual redocking test of 25 June 1997\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e—one of the most dangerous incidents in the history of human spaceflight.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe checklist is hand-annotated, bears \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003efour different postal markings applied aboard Mir\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, and is signed by all three members of the crew who were living aboard the station at the time:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVasili Tsibliyev — Mir commander\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAleksandr Lazutkin — Flight engineer\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eC. Michael Foale — NASA astronaut and research cosmonaut\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe piece originates from the personal collection of renowned Belgian astrophilatelist \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJacques Bracke\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, whose extensive holdings included flown covers, postal artifacts, crew-signed material and other important objects from the Soviet, Russian and American space programs. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA Working Document from Mir\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUnlike a commemorative cover or souvenir produced after the event, this is an actual operational-style checklist reportedly connected with the opening phase of the Progress M-34 redocking procedure.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIts handwritten annotations are especially significant. They appear to preserve crew interaction with the document while aboard Mir and may record procedural notes, timings, corrections or operational references associated with the planned maneuver.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe sheet is printed on both sides, reflecting the compact format required for spacecraft documentation, where large quantities of procedural information had to remain readily accessible within the limited working environment of an orbital station.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUnless the checklist has been conclusively matched to a specific numbered procedure or time in the maneuver, it is safest to describe it as \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eassociated with or prepared for the Progress M-34 redocking test\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, rather than claiming that the sheet itself directly caused the collision.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProgress M-34 and the Manual Docking Test\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProgress M-34 was an uncrewed Russian cargo spacecraft launched to resupply Mir. It initially docked successfully with the station in April 1997 and remained attached for more than two months.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOn \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e24 June 1997\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, Progress M-34 undocked so that the crew could conduct a manual redocking experiment the following day. The purpose was to test the Russian \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTORU teleoperated docking system\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, through which a cosmonaut aboard Mir controlled the approaching cargo vehicle using a video image transmitted from a camera on Progress.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe experiment was intended in part to determine whether future Progress missions could rely more heavily on manual control rather than the automated Kurs docking system.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDuring the test, Mir commander Vasili Tsibliyev remotely controlled Progress M-34 from inside the station. The approaching spacecraft proved difficult to judge through the video system, and its closing speed became dangerously high.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Collision of 25 June 1997\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAt approximately 09:18 UTC on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e25 June 1997\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, Progress M-34 struck the Mir complex.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe cargo spacecraft first damaged a solar array and then collided with the station’s \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpektr module\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, puncturing its pressure hull. Air began escaping from the station, and the crew was forced to respond immediately to prevent the depressurization of the entire complex. NASA describes the event as a Progress redocking collision that caused the Spektr module to lose pressure.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe impact also damaged electrical connections from Spektr’s solar panels, severely reducing Mir’s available power.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe accident was not fatal, but it came perilously close to becoming a disaster. The crew had to isolate Spektr rapidly by closing and sealing its hatch. Because numerous power cables ran through the hatchway, they had to disconnect or cut cables while air was leaking from the station.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpektr remained depressurized and inaccessible for the remainder of Mir’s operational life.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Mir Crew\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVasili Tsibliyev\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTsibliyev commanded the station and was responsible for controlling Progress M-34 through the TORU system during the test.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFollowing the collision, he helped coordinate the emergency response, stabilization of the station and isolation of the damaged module. The incident subjected him and the crew to intense physical and psychological pressure.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAleksandr Lazutkin\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLazutkin served as flight engineer and played a critical role in the station’s emergency recovery.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHe assisted in sealing the damaged Spektr module and restoring Mir’s systems after the loss of air pressure and electrical power. His mission had already included several serious onboard emergencies, making the 1997 expedition one of the most eventful and hazardous in Mir history.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cspan\u003eC. Michael Foale\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBritish-born NASA astronaut Michael Foale had arrived aboard Mir during the STS-84 Shuttle mission in May 1997.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpektr served as Foale’s principal living and working area. When the module was punctured, he lost access to personal equipment and experimental materials stored inside it.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFoale assisted Tsibliyev and Lazutkin during the emergency and later used his scientific and engineering experience to help assess Mir’s motion following the impact. He remained aboard the damaged station until returning to Earth aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis on STS-86 after approximately 145 days in space.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA Turning Point in the Shuttle–Mir Program\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Progress collision occurred during the joint American–Russian \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eShuttle–Mir program\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, which placed NASA astronauts aboard the Russian station for long-duration missions.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe accident raised serious questions about Mir’s condition, Russian operating procedures and whether American astronauts should continue living aboard the aging complex. Nevertheless, cooperation continued, and the lessons learned from the incident influenced future joint operations aboard the International Space Station.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe emergency demonstrated both the vulnerability of a complex orbital station and the importance of crew training, procedural documentation and rapid decision-making.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFour Mir Onboard Postmarks\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe checklist bears \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003efour onboard Mir postal markings\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, giving it an additional astrophilatelic dimension.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePostal markings applied aboard a space station provide evidence of an item’s presence in orbit and link the document directly to Mir’s internal postal system. The combination of multiple onboard cancellations, operational annotations and complete crew signatures distinguishes this piece from conventional flown covers.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe exact dates and wording of all four postmarks should be confirmed from the original document and clearly shown in the listing photographs.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProvenance: The Jacques Bracke Collection\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe checklist comes from the personal collection of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJacques Bracke\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, one of the best-known figures in advanced astrophilately.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBracke assembled a wide-ranging collection of postal and flown artifacts connected with many of the most important missions in space history. The provenance is especially appropriate for an object combining operational Mir documentation, onboard postal markings and astronaut signatures.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHistorical and Collecting Significance\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis remarkable checklist combines:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn original one-sheet Mir operational document\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePrinting on both sides\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHandwritten onboard annotations\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAssociation with the Progress M-34 redocking procedure\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFour different Mir onboard postmarks\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eSignatures of the complete resident crew\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDirect connection to the 25 June 1997 Progress collision\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProvenance from the Jacques Bracke collection\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Progress M-34 collision was among the most serious emergencies ever experienced aboard an occupied space station. A crew-signed and postmarked procedural sheet associated with the maneuver offers a uniquely immediate connection to that dramatic event.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA museum-level centerpiece for an advanced collection devoted to \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMir, Progress spacecraft, the Shuttle–Mir program, Michael Foale, Soviet and Russian space documentation or flown astrophilately\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e One original sheet printed on both sides, showing handwritten annotations, four onboard Mir postal markings and three crew signatures. Expected handling and operational wear may be present. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Been in Space","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58254420050184,"sku":"11311","price":1500.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1490\/3832\/files\/11311.jpg?v=1784304477","url":"https:\/\/www.beeninspace.com\/products\/mir-progress-crash-flown-checklist-11311","provider":"BEEN IN SPACE","version":"1.0","type":"link"}