SOYUZ TM-6/TM-5. MODEL OF SOYUZ TM PRESENTED TO LYAKHOV IN COMMEMORATION OF HIS MISSION OF AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 1988

Approximately 1/40 scale, 8 inches long by 9 1/2 inches (width of solar array), steel and plastic model of the Soyuz TM spaceship with grey, cream, red, green, and blue enamel; on stainless steel base mounted to red velvet board with brass plaque inscribed (in translation): "In memory of the flight of the international crew on the Soyuz TM-6/Mir/Kvant/Progress orbital complex: to the ship's commander Vladimir Afanasyevich Lyakhov, 29 August - 7 September 1988." 

Cosmonaut Vladimir Lyakhov (Sotheby's Russian Space History, 11 December 1993, lot 165) — Present owner 

In his third space mission, Lyakhov participated in the flights of Soyuz TM-5 and TM-6, which brought to the Mir space station two international crews with Bulgarian and Afghan cosmonauts. Soyuz TM-5 was launched 7 June 1988 with a crew of three. Lyakhov was commander of Soyuz TM-6, launched 29 August, whose crew of three brought the Afghan cosmonaut Abdul Ahad Mohmand to Mir. On 6 September Lyakhov and Mohmand returned in Soyuz TM-5. This was one of the most challenging descents of the Soviet space program. Because of several systems errors, Lyakhov had to override and cancel the automated retrofire commands. After an unplanned 24 hours in the capsule, without water, food, and toilet facilities, the retrofire was completed successfully, and the craft landed very close to its target.