Soyuz 23 was an attempted mission to the Salyut 5 space station. The automatic docking system malfunctioned and forced the mission to be called off and return to Earth after just two days. The Soyuz landed in a lake, marking the first Soviet water landing, and was dragged underwater by its parachute. Rescue teams tried to reach the crew but the blizzard and night conditions forced a delay until morning. After nine hours, the capsule was dragged out of the water. Recovery teams believed the crew were dead and called for a medical team to remove the bodies. After two more hours, the crew opened the hatch themselves and climbed out.