Dec 06

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

Posted on December 6, 2024 by Mike Annis

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

Nov 22

Space Rocket History #452 – Apollo-Soyuz Test Project – Full Speed Ahead

Posted on November 22, 2024 by Mike Annis

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Email | TuneIn | RSS

In April of 1972, George Low returned to Washington from Moscow and briefed Henry Kissinger. He conveyed NASA’s assessment that a joint space mission in 1975 was feasible.

Nixon-Kosygin Summit

Soviet 2/5 Scale Model of ASTP Docking System

Apollo Communications Links

Nov 08

Space Rocket History #451 – Apollo-Soyuz Test Project – No More Salyut?

Posted on November 8, 2024 by Mike Annis

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Email | TuneIn | RSS

In a re-evaluation of the proposed test mission, the Soviets concluded that utilizing the Salyut spacecraft would not be technically and economically viable.

Alexey Petrov

Konstantin Bushuyev

Vladimir Kotelnikov

Oct 25

Space Rocket History #450 – Apollo-Soyuz Test Project – Round 3 with the Soviets

Posted on October 25, 2024 by Mike Annis

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Email | TuneIn | RSS

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.