Kamanin, as the state commissioner for Soyuz 1 launch, was present at Baikonur throughout launch preparation that began 6 April 1967.

However, tourist flights are tentatively planned to resume in 2013, when the number of single-use three-person Soyuz launches could rise to five a year.

Apollo then maneuvered to rendezvous and docking 52 hours after the Soyuz launch.

This mission marked the first Soyuz launch in the month of December for almost 19 years.

Previous Soyuz launches had taken two days.

As of December 2012, 4 Soyuz launches had been made from French Guiana, all successful.

The first Soyuz launch from ELS was postponed several times, but launched on October 21, 2011.

The second Soyuz launch from French Guiana on the 16th of December 2011 was also a success.

It would be 18 months before the Soviets chanced another Soyuz launch.

If Progress M1-5 had launched on 16 January, the Soyuz launch would have occurred on 10 February if it had been required.