Space Rocket History #445 – Apollo-Soyuz Test Project – A Kind Invitation

Posted on August 16, 2024 by Mike Annis

In 1969, NASA Administrator Thomas O. Paine saw an opportunity for a paradigm shift
in Soviet-American space relations. Given the United States’ clear lead in the race to the moon, he believed an offer of cooperation would not jeopardize the US lunar aspirations. Remarkably, the Soviet Union now had more to gain from such a partnership.

The Space Obelisk at the National Exhibition of Economic Achievements in Moscow

Replica of the Vostok and Launch Vehicle displayed at the National Exhibition of Economic Achievement

Sketches by W. Taub outlining Soviet and American spacecraft characteristics. Prepared in 1969

Jun 28

Space Rocket History #417 – Skylab – Skylab 3 – Maximum Effort, Determination, Efficiency, and Accomplishment

Posted on June 28, 2023 by Mike Annis

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Finally, the crew became efficient enough to get all of the work done that was scheduled for a given day. But, that did not make up for the time lost at the beginning of the mission. Reaching 100 percent efficiency was not enough for Bean.

Al Bean Reading in His Bed on the Wall

Garriott at the ATM Console

Jun 07

Space Rocket History #211 – Apollo 11 – Mission Training – Part 3 & Contamination

Posted on June 7, 2017 by spac9750

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In addition to the fixed-base lunar module simulators in Houston and at the Cape, astronauts also practiced at Langley Research Center on the suspended lunar landing trainer which was equipped with realistic surface views and lighting.

Aldrin practices setting up Solar Wind experiment

Armstrong practices opening a lunar sample box

1/6 gravity harness to practice moon walking

Feb 15

Space Rocket History #197 – Apollo 10 – Ascent Stage Rendezvous, Docking & Jettisoning

Posted on February 15, 2017 by spac9750

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As the lunar module approached, Young saw it through his sextant at a distance of 259 kilometers. Stafford and Cernan got a radar lock on the command module shortly after the insertion burn and watched with interest as the instrument measured the dwindling gap between the vehicles and demonstrated the theories of orbital mechanics in actual practice. Cernan especially liked the steady communications that kept both crews aware of what was happening.