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

Posted on May 23, 2025 by Mike Annis

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

Final Apollo Splashdown

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

Dec 01

Space Rocket History #403 – Skylab – S.M.E.A.T. – Skylab Mission 0

Posted on December 1, 2022 by Mike Annis

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This SMEAT crew would test out various elements of the Skylab equipment and procedures in a series of trials, ending in a full-scale simulation that was set at 56 days.

SMEAT Crew Enter Airlock to 20-Ft. Chamber.

Bobko in the LBNP Chamber.

Bobko on Bicycle Erogometer.

Jun 01

Space Rocket History #390 – Skylab – Pre-history – MOL Part 4 & Extending Apollo

Posted on June 1, 2022 by Mike Annis

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On June 7th 1969, General Stewart ordered all work on Gemini B, the Titan IIIM and the MOL spacesuit, to cease and to cancel or curtail all other contracts. The official announcement that the MOL had been canceled was made on June 10th.