Soyuz 24

Soyuz 24 was the final crewed mission to Salyut 5 and the last crewed visit to an Almaz military station. Viktor Gorbatko and Yuri Glazkov launched from Baikonur Site 1/5 on February 7, 1977, docked with Salyut 5 the next day, and entered the station after checks related to atmosphere concerns from earlier operations. Spacefacts records that the crew brought equipment for an air-changing experiment, wearing breathing apparatus while initially checking the station atmosphere. On February 21 they demonstrated venting and replenishing cabin air through systems connected with the docked Soyuz, a technique relevant to later Progress-supported station operations. The flight also continued Earth resources, biological, materials, and station-systems work. Soyuz 24 undocked and landed 36 kilometers northeast of Arkalyk on February 25, 1977, after 17 days, 17 hours, 25 minutes, and 58 seconds in orbit. The mission closed the operational crewed history of Salyut 5.