Soyuz TM-29

Soyuz TM-29 launched from Baikonur on February 20, 1999 with commander Viktor Afanasyev, French flight engineer Jean-Pierre Haignere, and Slovak research cosmonaut Ivan Bella. The spacecraft reached Mir two days later, beginning the Russian-French Perseus mission and Slovakia's Stefanik visit. Bella completed a short research program and returned on Soyuz TM-28 after nearly eight days in space. Afanasyev and Haignere remained aboard Mir for the long-duration expedition, supporting station operations, research, and external work; Haignere completed a spacewalk with Afanasyev in April. Soyuz TM-29 landed in Kazakhstan on August 28, returning Afanasyev, Haignere, and Sergei Avdeyev after the crew exchange. This crew list represents the launch crew, while the later return-seat change is retained in the mission history.