Return from Orbit

Return from Orbit (Russian: Возвращение с орбиты) is a Soviet science fiction film from 1983, directed by Aleksandr Surin. Its distinction comes from footage shot in actual orbit, aboard the Salyut 7 space station and the Soyuz T-9 spacecraft.

The story follows cosmonauts Pavel Kuznetsov and Vyacheslav Mukhin, longtime friends who form a strong team. During their first mission, a rocket failure forces an emergency ejection via the launch escape system. Shaken but determined, they prepare for another launch. Shortly before it, Kuznetsov learns his estranged wife has died suddenly. Devastated, he resigns and leaves Baikonur to care for his young daughter. Mukhin follows him to a night train, trying to change his mind, but fails. At a desert station, Mukhin calls his girlfriend Sasha and unexpectedly proposes.

The next morning, Mukhin launches successfully with a backup commander. Kuznetsov hears the news on the radio; a fellow passenger dismisses spaceflight as an easy path to fame. Kuznetsov reminds him of its dangers, noting the crew might never return.

On the orbital station, a meteor shower causes a short circuit, disabling critical electrical systems. An emergency return is needed, but the docking system is broken, leaving the crew trapped in their Soyuz-T spacecraft.

Kuznetsov is tracked down on his train and ordered back to duty. Assigned a new flight engineer, he docks at the station’s opposite side. He spacewalks to the stranded spacecraft and helps Mukhin drag the unconscious cosmonaut through open space. The backup crew makes an emergency landing, while Kuznetsov and Mukhin reunite. They repair the station and prepare to return.

As they undock, another meteor shower damages shielding and disables orientation engines. Air drains from the cabin; the cosmonauts seal their suits and activate reserve oxygen, which lasts only twelve hours. Major General Sviridov, head of the Cosmonaut Training Center, volunteers for a dangerous rescue. He approaches the spinning, uncontrolled spacecraft and makes several failed docking attempts, nearly exhausting his fuel.

Kuznetsov exits the spacecraft and stops the rotation using a makeshift rocket engine Mukhin assembled from spare parts. As Pavel tries to connect their air hose to Sviridov’s reserve oxygen tanks, his own air runs out. Mukhin redirects his own