The Soyuz programme was intended to rejuvenate the program by developing space rendezvous and docking capability, and practical extravehicular activity without tiring the cosmonaut, as had been demonstrated by the United States Gemini.

The more conservative mission used Beregovoy as the single pilot, with Vladimir Shatalov designated as his backup, and Boris Volynov in reserve.

Entering orbit and near Soyuz 2 a half-hour after launch,[6] Beregovoy gradually guided his craft within docking range (200 m (660 ft)) of his target.

[12] In addition, the Soviets published a photo of Soyuz 3's launch vehicle on the pad at Baikonur, marking the first time that the R-7 was shown to the outside world.

Beregovoy was promoted to Major general and named director of the national Center for Cosmonaut Training at Star City.

The flawless recovery of Soyuz 3 left the spacecraft designers with the impression that re-entry and landing systems had been perfected: the crash-landing of the Zond 6 satellite just one month later had been partly attributed to this mistaken sense of security.

[18] The value of the outer space survey of Earth was a defining step in the development of the Soyuz program's grand strategy: the later evolution of space-based research platforms have roots in Beregovoy's lengthy and meticulous data-collection.

New flights continued apace, and they put the knowledge gained from Soyuz 3 towards missions of increasing audacity and success.