Space Rocket History #445 – Apollo-Soyuz Test Project – A Kind Invitation

Posted on August 16, 2024 by Mike Annis

In 1969, NASA Administrator Thomas O. Paine saw an opportunity for a paradigm shift
in Soviet-American space relations. Given the United States’ clear lead in the race to the moon, he believed an offer of cooperation would not jeopardize the US lunar aspirations. Remarkably, the Soviet Union now had more to gain from such a partnership.

The Space Obelisk at the National Exhibition of Economic Achievements in Moscow

Replica of the Vostok and Launch Vehicle displayed at the National Exhibition of Economic Achievement

Sketches by W. Taub outlining Soviet and American spacecraft characteristics. Prepared in 1969

Aug 02

Space Rocket History #444 – Apollo-Soyuz Test Project – Competition and Cooperation

Posted on August 2, 2024 by Mike Annis

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Before joint missions, such as Apollo and Soyuz, could take place, both nations had to find a compelling rationale for cooperation, ultimately overcoming the seemingly insurmountable barriers to foster genuine cooperative space projects.

Yuri Gagarin First Man to Orbit the Earth

Mercury project astronaut John Glenn beside President Kennedy after receiving NASA medal.

Blagonravov(USSR) and Dryden(USA) Discuss Plans for Cooperative Missions

Jul 19

Space Rocket History #443 – Salyut 4 – The April 5th Anomaly & Soyuz 18 with Lazarev, Makarov, Klimuk, & Sevastyanov

Posted on July 19, 2024 by Mike Annis

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Upon impact, the spacecraft sank into the soft snow but continued forward, rolling down the slope and gaining speed. As it neared a five hundred-foot cliff, the cosmonauts felt their hearts pound and adrenaline surge.

Aborted Flight of Soyuz 18a-Credit RKK Energia

Cmd of Soyuz 18 Pyotr Klimuk

Flight Eng for Soyuz 18 Vitaly Sevastyanov

Apr 06

Space Rocket History #386 – Skylab – Pre-history

Posted on April 6, 2022 by Mike Annis

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A scant five months after Apollo 17 splashed down in the Pacific Ocean in December of 1972, NASA launched Skylab to begin a new phase of American manned spaceflight – space station operations.