Sep 14

Space Rocket History #447 – Apollo-Soyuz Test Project – Creating a Partnership

Posted on September 14, 2024 by Mike Annis

On January 20th, 1971 in private negotiation, Low and Frutkin met with Keldysh and Feoktistov to discuss rendezvous and docking. NASA proposed developing compatible systems for Apollo and Soyuz rather than future spacecraft, aiming to give specialists something concrete on which to work.

Academician Aleksandr Vinogradov, left, examines a lunar rock from Apollo 12

At the Soviet Academy of Sciences, the Soviet and U.S. negotiators face one another in January 1971

Academician Keldysh, right, headed the delegations and signed the agreements

Aug 30

Space Rocket History #446 – Apollo-Soyuz Test Project – Tell Us All Your Secrets

Posted on August 30, 2024 by Mike Annis

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Email | TuneIn | RSS

Lunney and his colleagues were especially captivated by the descriptions of the Soyuz control systems provided by Shatalov and Beregovoy. While immersed in the U.S. space programs, the NASA representatives could only follow the U.S.-U.S.S.R. competition through reports in American aerospace publications. However, this opportunity allowed them to hear firsthand accounts of the systems from individuals who had operated and flown the Soyuz.

Evolution of Ring and Cone Docking System

New Soyuz Docking Mechanism

Signing the agreement: L to R; Johnson, Hardy, Krimer, Frutkin, and Gilruth

Aug 16

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

Posted on August 16, 2024 by Mike Annis

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Email | TuneIn | RSS

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.