Jun 06

Space Rocket History #465 – Apollo-Soyuz Test Project – Epilogue

Posted on June 6, 2025 by Mike Annis

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Due to the deterioration of relations between the United States and the Soviet Union in the late 1970s, no follow-on missions to ASTP took place. A backup Apollo spacecraft and Saturn IB rocket were available and there were some discussions of possibly flying an Apollo to a Soviet Salyut space station, but with no government support, Soviet-American space cooperation for many years remained limited.

Stafford, Leonov, Brand, Kubasov and Slayton in Moscow during the tour of the Soviet Union

President Ford at the White House during the tour of the United States

Crewmembers pose with the Apollo Command Module from their mission.

May 23

Space Rocket History #464 – Apollo-Soyuz Test Project – Coming Home

Posted on May 23, 2025 by Mike Annis

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Celebrations erupted in Mission Control, with broad smiles and cigar smoke marking the successful conclusion. But, while Mission control was celebrating, it was not yet known that the crew had been exposed to toxic fumes during descent. The crew was coughing and Brand lost consciousness.

Kubasov autographs the side of the Soyuz descent vehicle

Leonov and Kubasov (speaking) are interviewed by Soviet newsmen shortly after their safe landing in Kazakhstan

May 09

Space Rocket History #463 – Apollo-Soyuz Test Project – Joint Operations

Posted on May 9, 2025 by Mike Annis

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“I had thoughts I couldn’t express at the time. It felt like we weren’t just opening a hatch in space, but opening the door to a new era on Earth.” Tom Stafford.

A diagram of the artificial solar eclipse experiment (Photo by Space Frontiers/Getty Images)

Second Docking of Apollo Soyuz

Soyuz View of Apollo Solar Eclipse

Apr 25

Space Rocket History #462 – Apollo-Soyuz Test Project – Handshake

Posted on April 25, 2025 by Mike Annis

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On July 17, 1975, orbiting in space high above the French city of Metz, the American and Russian commanders shook hands. Their conversation, a mix of personal and technical remarks, reflected a casual familiarity, reminiscent of their simulator training sessions. There were no dramatic declarations—just a cordial exchange between professionals who seemed to be doing what they had practiced countless times.