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Soyuz TM-23 (Soyuz Programme) Black Coffee Mug

Soyuz TM-23 (Soyuz Programme) Black Coffee Mug

100 in stock

Regular price $17.99 USD
Regular price Sale price $17.99 USD
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Soyuz TM-23 - Black Mug Design

This design is a photograph-style tribute to the Soyuz TM-23 mission, which carried crew to the Mir space station in 1996.

Visual Elements & Composition

Off-white dominates the scene, filling nearly half of the image, with dark blue and black forming the deep structure behind it. Crimson and bright blue appear as accents. Two male cosmonauts sit at the centre of the composition, and a model of the Mir station hangs nearby. A Russian Federation flag sets the national frame, and the Cyrillic words МИР and РОССИЯ run through the picture, naming the station and the country behind the mission.

Meaning & Symbolism

The Soyuz TM-23 launched on 21 February 1996 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, with a single purpose: to ferry a crew to Mir, Russia's main orbital laboratory at the time. The spacecraft kept crew rotation and ongoing research running aboard the station during a period of continuous human presence in orbit. The TM series was the reliable workhorse of that era, and this mission sits at the threshold between the Soviet-era ferries and the modernised TMA craft that followed. The artwork honours the cosmonauts who flew it and the engineering that kept them moving between Earth and orbit.

On the Black Mug

A mug is turned in the hand, so the scene reveals itself one slice at a time as you rotate it. The cosmonauts and the station model come round in sequence, and the flag and lettering appear as the cup turns, much like the mission unfolded in stages. Morning coffee becomes a slow reading of a single, carefully composed moment in spaceflight history, which makes it a good conversation piece for anyone who has ever wondered what the view from Mir looked like.

Size

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Glossy black ceramic mugs in two practical sizes — 11 oz (≈330 ml) and 15 oz (≈440 ml). Comfortable C-handle, microwave- and dishwasher-safe, and manufactured to be lead- and BPA-free. Note: printed blacks may read slightly different from the mug’s base color.

These mugs are made from solid ceramic with a glossy glaze that gives a deep, even surface for printing. Sublimation printing embeds ink into the glaze so artwork sits smoothly on the mug rather than simply sitting on top — that means better resistance to fading and scratching during normal use.

They’re available in the classic 11-ounce size for everyday black coffee and tea, and a larger 15-ounce cup if you like extra room for milk, foam or a long pour. The C-shaped handle is wide enough for a secure grip and balances the mug well when full.

  • Material: 100% ceramic with a high-gloss finish for punchy, saturated results.
  • Sizes: 11 oz (≈330 ml) and 15 oz (≈440 ml) — choose your routine size.
  • Printing: sublimation process fuses color into the glaze for durable imagery.
  • Safety: lead- and BPA-free; meets common food-contact safety standards.
  • Design note: very dark artwork and the mug’s black base can produce subtle shade differences — add a thin lighter outline to ensure contrast if needed.

These mugs are at home in the kitchen, on the office desk, or tucked into a morning routine. They work for espresso shots, pour-overs, oat-milk lattes — you name it. The larger size is handy when you want a second cup’s worth without a refill.

  1. Daily use: fill with your preferred brew and sip — the mug handles hot liquids safely.
  2. Office-friendly: fits most standard mug warmers and sits securely on communal trays and kitchen counters.
  3. Gifting: packs well (wrap with a soft layer) and pairs nicely with coffee beans, tea tins, or a small box of biscuits.

Practical tip: for very dark designs, try a thin light border or a small margin so the artwork reads cleanly against the black ceramic.

These mugs are both microwave- and dishwasher-safe, but gentle habits extend the life of the print. We recommend dishwasher use on the top rack and milder cycles when possible.

Hand-washing is the friendliest option: warm water, mild dish soap, and a soft sponge. Avoid steel wool, harsh scouring pads, or blasting with extremely hot industrial cycles. And a quick reminder — don’t microwave an empty mug.

Two sizes: 11 oz (approx. 330 ml) and 15 oz (approx. 440 ml). The smaller cup is the familiar, everyday size; the larger one is for fuller pours and extra-creamy drinks.

Each mug’s mouth and height are proportioned so they’re easy to drink from and easy to clean. If you’re pairing with saucers or nesting in cabinets, expect the 15 oz to be slightly wider and taller than the 11 oz.

Size guide

All measurements are product dimensions in inches.

11 oz 15 oz
Height (in) 3.86 4.72
Diameter (in) 3.35 3.35
Diameter with handle (in) 4.72 5.12

Note: dimensions are nominal — small production tolerances may apply. If you need precise fitment (e.g., for nested storage or custom packaging), please allow a small margin.