| definition
| - The Apollo-Soyuz Test Project (ASTP) was the first human
spaceflight mission managed jointly by two nations. It was
designed to test the compatibility of rendezvous and docking
systems for American and Soviet spacecraft in order to open the
way for future joint human flights. There were a number of
difficulties that both nations had to resolve in the mission
design before they could assure a safe docking of both
spacecraft and an on-orbit meeting of crewmembers. The technical
challenges included different measuring systems, the different
spacecraft and thus mating adapter designs, and different air
pressures and mixtures.
The Apollo spacecraft was the same design as those used on lunar
exploration missions. Several modifications were made for the
Apollo-Soyuz mission, however, including the addition of
propellants for the reaction control system, heaters for
temperature control, and extra equipment needed to operate the
Docking Module. The Soyuz had been the Soviet's primary
spacecraft since 1967. It consisted of three basic
modules?Orbital, Descent, and Instrument?no major modifications
were needed.
The mission began with the Soyuz launch on July 15, 1975,
followed by the Apollo launch seven hours later. The docking in
space of, the two spacecraft took place at 2:17
p.m. U.S. central time on July 17. Two days worth of joint
operations followed. After separation, the Soyuz remained in
space for almost two days before landing in the U.S.S.R. on July
21. The Apollo spacecraft remained in space for another three
days before splashing down near Hawaii on July 24.
The mission was a resounding success for both Americans and
Soviets. They achieved their goal of obtaining flight experience
for rendezvous and docking of human spacecraft. In addition,
they also demonstrated in-flight intervehicular crew transfer,
as well as accomplished a series of scientific experiments. The
ASTP mission was not only successful as a space effort, but the
mutual confidence and trust it engendered made it a huge step in
international cooperation during the Cold War.
Additional information available at
"http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/history/astp/astp.html"
[Summary provided by NASA] (en)
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