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

Aug 02

Space Rocket History #444 – Apollo-Soyuz Test Project – Competition and Cooperation

Posted on August 2, 2024 by Mike Annis

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Before joint missions, such as Apollo and Soyuz, could take place, both nations had to find a compelling rationale for cooperation, ultimately overcoming the seemingly insurmountable barriers to foster genuine cooperative space projects.

Yuri Gagarin First Man to Orbit the Earth

Mercury project astronaut John Glenn beside President Kennedy after receiving NASA medal.

Blagonravov(USSR) and Dryden(USA) Discuss Plans for Cooperative Missions

Dec 14

Space Rocket History #189 – John Glenn Remembered

Posted on December 14, 2016 by spac9750

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With the passing of John Glenn last week, I thought it would be appropriate to pause my coverage of Apollo 10 for a week and create an episode that celebrates the life of the American Icon, John Glenn. I covered John Glenn’s Mercury flight in episodes 30-31. I am going to re-release those episodes over the next 2 days. So I won’t spend a lot of time on his Mercury flight in this episode, that will be covered tomorrow.

John Glenn – Mercury-Atlas 6

Senator John Glenn

John Glenn – STS-95

Feb 04

Space Rocket History #147 – Saturn: S-II Stage Part 2: Trials and Tribulations

Posted on February 4, 2016 by spac9750

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“The S-II stage was a nightmare the minute it was conceived, and it only got worse from there. During the course of its creation, it would grind up people and careers the way the transcontinental railway devoured laborers. Though the methods and materials used to build the S-II were reasonably well known, nobody had ever tried to apply them on such a titanic scale. Originally, it was to be somewhere around 8 stores tall with a diameter of 22 feet, but the width ballooned from there to 27 feet before the contract was even signed, then to 30, and finally to 33 feet. And all the while as the size of thing increased, NASA was trimming the allowable weight.” Harrison Storms of NAA.