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To contribute, go to the homepage, spacerockethistory.com, and click on the orange donate button or the Patreon link. Thanks. on link thanks thanks Hello and welcome Hello and welcome. This is Michael Anas, and you're listening to Episode No, 443 of the Space Rocket History podcast.

And now, the April 5th anomaly and Soyuz 18 with Lazarif, Markaroff, Klemuk, and Sebastianov.

Last time, we explored the triumphant mission of Soyuz 17, which embarked on a historic journey to Salute 4 and successfully returned to Earth.

This time we turn our attention to the second visit to this remarkable space station.

Less than two months elapsed since the first Soyuz crew safely returned home from their

groundbreaking endeavor. Building on their previous success, the Soviet Union swiftly prepared

for another momentous voyage to Sautau, U.4. This second mission carried two highly skilled and experienced cosmonauts.

Commander Pasilli Lazareff and flight engineer Oleg Makarov.

Both Lazarif and Makarov were no strangers to space travel, or the intricacies of the

Soyuz spacecraft. They had previously joined forces on the Soyuz 12 test flight, demonstrating

their unwavering determination and experience. Their exceptional skills and unwavering dedication

made them the ideal candidates for this crucial mission.

If you like a deeper understanding of these remarkable cosmonauts,

I highly recommend exploring their biographies on episode number 435.

On April 5,, 1975, Soyuz 7KT, number 39,

carrying cosmonauts Vasily Lazarif and Oleg Makarov

lifted off from the Bikinor Cosmodron in Kazakhstan.

Initially, the launch and ascent proceeded as planned.

The strap-on boosters and the core rocket stage function normally.

However, a critical problem emerged during the separation and ignition of the third stage,

approximately five minutes into the flight.

...