Mar 28

Space Rocket History #460 – Apollo-Soyuz Test Project – Light the Candles

Reports from Baykonur indicated that the weather was perfect for the launch: clear skies, light winds, and hot July sunshine.

Leonov and Kubasov Boarding their Soyuz

Soyuz Launch

Apollo Ready to Launch

Mar 07

Space Rocket History #459 – Apollo-Soyuz Test Project – I Want my Apollo/Soyuz TV

Television coverage involved meticulous planning of specific television transmissions, detailed preparation for an onboard press conference, and careful scheduling of symbolic activities designed to engage and inform the public.

Fin Repair of the Saturn IB

ASTP – Apollo Rollout

ASTP – Apollo Rollout

Feb 21

Space Rocket History #458 – Apollo-Soyuz Test Project – Final Training & Tang Ceremony

Eight cosmonauts arrived in Washington, D.C. on February 7th, 1975 to start their final training session in the U.S. as the technical specialists argued whether the spacecraft was ready or not.

ASTP Cosmonauts visit Disney World

Leonov enters the Apollo Command Module

ASTP Soyuz Spacecraft being readied for the mission

Feb 07

Space Rocket History #457 – Apollo-Soyuz Test Project – Soviet Concerns with Apollo

The origin of the Soviet’s concern, regarding the potential impact of the Apollo Command Module’s Reaction Control System (RCS) thrusters on the Soyuz spacecraft during docking maneuvers, can be traced back to a Skylab film.

ASTP Crew

Apollo Simulator

Crew Transfer Drawing. Credit Encl. Astronautica.