Nov 08

Space Rocket History #451 – Apollo-Soyuz Test Project – No More Salyut?

In a re-evaluation of the proposed test mission, the Soviets concluded that utilizing the Salyut spacecraft would not be technically and economically viable.

Alexey Petrov

Konstantin Bushuyev

Vladimir Kotelnikov

Oct 25

Space Rocket History #450 – Apollo-Soyuz Test Project – Round 3 with the Soviets

Finally Kraft and Gilruth told the Soviets that if they were unwilling to agree to the telephone conversations then the NASA delegation might as well pack up and go back to Houston. After some hesitation, the Soviets decided to try the telephone telex approach.

Proposed Docking Mount

Proposed Docking Mount

Lunney’s Schedule for early 1972

Oct 11

Space Rocket History #449 – Apollo-Soyuz Test Project – Apollo-Salyut Test Mission Planning

The spacecraft designers led by Caldwell Johnson faced a demanding task. Director Gilruth urged them to accelerate the development of the docking adapter design, aiming to have a functional model ready for the upcoming November meeting with the Soviets.

Apollo-Salyut Hardware

Present & Future Docking System

Docking Module Concept Design

Sep 28

Space Rocket History #448 – Apollo-Soyuz Test Project – Soyuz/Skylab & Apollo/Salyut

Two options were presented: Apollo docking with Salyut/Soyuz or Soyuz with Skylab/Apollo. Caldwell Johnson was taken aback by the Soviets’ eagerness to immediately pursue the development of a universal docking mechanism.

Concept Apollo/Soyuz. Credit Astronomy.com

Concept Soyuz/Skylab

Concept Apollo/Salyut