Dec 20

Space Rocket History #454 – Apollo-Soyuz Test Project – Astronauts & Cosmonauts

For the first time, the Soviet Union publicly announced the crew assignments for a Soyuz mission before the flight. Previously, cosmonaut identities were kept secret until after their flights.

ASTP Crew

ASTP Display at 1973 Paris Air Show

Snowball Flight at Star City

Dec 06

Space Rocket History #453 – Apollo-Soyuz Test Project – Mid-term Review

According to George Low, the Soviet mission operations control room was quite large – it contained 16 two-man consoles, thus allowing them 32 flight controllers. In addition, there was a back row of consoles which were used for personnel such as the project technical director; this back row was also a work station for display controllers who control the main display boards in the front of the room.

Cosmonaut Training Center at Star City

Star City Location in Relation to Moscow

Soviet manned space mission control in Kaliningrad. Credit Getty Images

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