Overview
The Soyuz spacecraft is the longest-serving and most-flown crewed vehicle in history. Developed by the Soviet Union's OKB-1 (now RKK Energia), it first flew in 1967 and remains in active service with Roscosmos today. With over 150 crewed flights, Soyuz has carried more humans to space than any other vehicle. From 2011 to 2020, following the Space Shuttle's retirement, Soyuz was the sole means of transporting crew to the International Space Station.
The current variant, Soyuz MS, launches atop the Soyuz 2.1a rocket from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Each Soyuz capsule carries 3 crew members and serves as a lifeboat at the ISS for up to 6 months.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Soyuz MS (current) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | RKK Energia |
| Crew | 3 |
| Descent Module Diameter | 2.17 m |
| Overall Length | 7.48 m |
| Mass | 7,220 kg |
| Habitable Volume | ~3.5 m³ (descent module) |
| Launch Vehicle | Soyuz 2.1a |
| Launch Site | Baikonur Cosmodrome |
| Abort System | SAS tower (puller configuration) |
| Landing | Parachute + retro-rockets, land landing (Kazakhstan) |
| Mission Duration | Up to 200 days docked at ISS |
| Reusability | No — each capsule is expendable |
Three-Module Design
Soyuz consists of three modules stacked vertically. The orbital module (top) provides additional living space and the docking mechanism. The descent module (centre) is the only section that returns to Earth — it carries the crew, heat shield and parachutes. The service module (bottom) houses propulsion, solar panels and avionics. The orbital and service modules separate and burn up during re-entry.
Soyuz Variants
| Variant | Period | Key Change |
|---|---|---|
| Soyuz 7K-OK | 1967–1971 | Original design |
| Soyuz 7K-T | 1973–1981 | Post-Soyuz 11 safety redesign |
| Soyuz T | 1979–1986 | Solar panels, computer upgrade |
| Soyuz TM | 1986–2003 | Mir-era upgrades, improved systems |
| Soyuz TMA | 2002–2012 | ISS era, larger crew accommodation |
| Soyuz TMA-M | 2010–2016 | Digital avionics upgrade |
| Soyuz MS | 2016–present | Modified docking, improved solar panels, navigation |
Role in ISS Operations
Soyuz has been part of ISS operations since Expedition 1 in November 2000. A Soyuz capsule is always docked at the station to serve as a crew lifeboat in case of emergency evacuation. Between the Shuttle's retirement in 2011 and Crew Dragon's first operational mission in November 2020, Soyuz was the only way to get crew to and from the ISS. NASA purchased seats on Soyuz at approximately $80–90 million per seat during this period.
Since 2020, NASA and Roscosmos have maintained a crew-swap arrangement where one Russian cosmonaut flies on Crew Dragon and one NASA astronaut flies on Soyuz, ensuring both nations always have a crew member capable of operating each segment of the station.
Frequently Asked Questions
Over 150 crewed missions since 1967 — the most-flown crewed spacecraft in history by a wide margin.
Three. The descent module is 3.5 m³ — significantly smaller than Crew Dragon (9.3 m³).
Both share the name. This page covers the capsule. See the Soyuz launch vehicle page for the rocket.