Commemorative stamp series - Germany / German Democratic Republic 1988 - 20 Pfennig

10 years manned space flight USSR GDR The Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications of the German Democratic Republic publishes three multicolored postage stamps "10 years manned space flight USSR - GDR". Special cancellation from 21 June to 20 August 1988 10th anniversary of the manned long-range flight USSR - GDR From 26 August to 3 September 1978 was the highlight of GDR participation in the exploration and exploitation of cosmic space within the framework of the program Intercosmos socialist Countries the first joint manned space flight USSR GDR took place. 20 Pfennig value: Soviet orbital complex with the space station Mir The station Mir of a new generation of manned spacecraft was launched as a base station of a comprehensive new orbital complex on February 20, 1986. It enables the application of new research technologies, and the working and recreational conditions of up to six cosmonauts working on the station are significantly improved. The total length of the station is 13.13 m, its largest diameter 4.20 m, its total mass 21 t; Operating height 300 to 400 km. In addition to the docking of transport spacecraft Soyuz TM and cargo ships Progress at the bow or at the rear of the station allows a star-shaped coupling section at the bow of the station, the creation of four other special research modules, the first attach axially to the coupling section and then from a mechanically operated manipulator on a the lateral coupling units are implemented. In this configuration, the total mass of the orbital complex would be nearly 100 t, the useful volume about 300 cubic meters. The illustration shows the station Mir with the special module for astrophysical research Quant docked to it and the transport spacecraft Soyuz TM connected to it. At the bow coupling section have created another transport spacecraft Soyuz TM as well as a research module.