# h049a Soyuz TM-26 flown radiocomunication antenna

Emergency radiocommunication antenna from Soyuz TM-26 landing capsule-one of most exotic and unique pieces of flown hardware in my collection.This special device used by cosmonauts during emergency landing or landing in not planned location to be quickly openned and installed by cosmonauts on capsule near the hatch for getting in contact with rescue team on board of helicopters and aircraft. Original owner of this subject-Chief of Cosmonaut Rescue and EVA departments of Energia Corporation, cosmonaut Alexander Poleshchuk issued certificate for antenna (signed by him and cancelled with his personal handstamp).See image 5.Image 3 depicts this antenna on Soyuz TM ship capsule delivered after landing to Energia corporation. Antenna flown on Soyuz TM-26 over 197 days in 1997-1998 with cosmonauts Solovyov and Vinogradov, who docked ship with MIR manualy on August 7, 1997 and landed February 19, 1998. Over the six months crew undertook seven internal and external spacewalks to repair the cripled MIR station. Museums and serious private collectors are welcome with questions and requests. One more additional image provided is image-4.This picture has nothing to do with listed antenna, but perfectly shows how such subject used. During of first landing of Soyuz TMA ship, piloted by cosmonaut Budarin (in center) with American astronauts Petit and Bowersox (seating on the ground) capsule landed far from planned place.And right after landing cosmonaut Budarin installed such antenna on the capsule to get in touch with rescue helicopters and aircraft.Image-4 clearly shows such antenna on landed capsule.