Apollo–Soyuz

Apollo–Soyuz was the first crewed international space mission, worked on together by the United States and the Soviet Union in July 1975. Many people watched on television when an American Apollo spacecraft docked with a Soviet Soyuz capsule. This meeting, often called a "handshake in space," showed a time of friendly relations during the Cold War.

The Americans named the flight the Apollo–Soyuz Test Project (ASTP), and the Soviets called it Experimental flight "Soyuz"–"Apollo". The Apollo spacecraft used for this mission was extra from the canceled Apollo missions and was the last Apollo module to fly.

The crew included American astronauts Thomas P. Stafford, Vance D. Brand, and Deke Slayton, and Soviet cosmonauts Alexei Leonov and Valery Kubasov. They did experiments together and also on their own, including creating a special solar eclipse to help the Soyuz instruments photograph the solar corona. This mission helped prepare for later joint American–Russian space flights, like the Shuttle–Mir program and the International Space Station.

Apollo–Soyuz was the last crewed U.S. spaceflight for almost six years, until STS-1, the first launch of the Space Shuttle on 12 April 1981.

Historical background

The Apollo–Soyuz mission happened because the United States and the Soviet Union wanted to work together during a time when they were trying to get along better, known as détente. Even though they often argued and competed, especially during the Vietnam War, both countries saw this mission as a way to show peace. Leaders from both sides talked and agreed to work together in space.

This mission was important because it showed that even countries with differences could cooperate. It helped improve relations between the United States and the Soviet Union. Both sides had different ideas about how to build their spacecraft, but they worked out their differences so the Apollo and Soyuz could connect in space. The Apollo–Soyuz mission became a symbol of friendship and peaceful teamwork between the two nations.

Apollo crew

Backup crew

Crew notes

This was the only space flight for American astronaut Deke Slayton. He was one of the original Mercury Seven astronauts chosen in April 1959 but couldn’t fly until 1972 because of health issues.

Jack Swigert was supposed to be the command module pilot for the main crew, but he was taken off the team before it was announced as a result of being involved in the Apollo 15 postal covers incident.

Support crew

Karol J. Bobko, Robert Crippen, Robert F. Overmyer, Richard H. Truly

Flight directors

Pete Frank (Orange team), Neil Hutchinson (Silver team), Don Puddy (Crimson team), Frank Littleton (Amber team)

Soyuz crew

This mission was the last space journey for Soviet cosmonaut Alexei Leonov. He was famous for being the first person to walk in space during the Voskhod 2 mission back in March 1965.

Mission summary

The Apollo–Soyuz Test Project (ASTP) was the first crewed international space mission, bringing together the United States and the Soviet Union. On July 15, 1975, an American Apollo spacecraft launched, followed by a Soviet Soyuz spacecraft just a few hours later. The two ships met in space on July 17 and docked, allowing the astronauts and cosmonauts to visit each other’s spacecraft.

During their time together, the crews did experiments, shared gifts like tree seeds, and even listened to music from both countries. They also took photos and talked with leaders from both nations. After more than two days together, the ships separated. The Apollo crew stayed in space longer, doing more experiments, while the Soyuz crew went home after a couple more days. The mission was seen as a big success and a symbol of friendship between the two countries during a time of tension known as the Cold War.

Legacy

Technical

A special docking part used on a Soviet space station was later used for more missions between Russia and America. This part helped spaceships connect together for many years, even until today.

Political

Apollo–Soyuz was the first time America and the Soviet Union worked together in space. It showed that the two countries could cooperate, even though they were rivals. Both sides talked about the mission in their own way, but it helped start more teamwork in space later on.

Cultural

The leaders of the American and Soviet spacecraft became good friends. One even became the godparent of the other's children. An asteroid in space was named after the mission. A famous bartender even made a special drink to celebrate the mission.

Scientific

The American spacecraft carried a special telescope to look at stars and other objects in space. It found some new things, like two special types of stars and other interesting objects far away.

Spacecraft locations

The Apollo command module from the mission is on display at the California Science Center in Los Angeles. The descent module of Soyuz 19 is shown at the RKK Energiya museum in Korolyov, Russia.

The National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. has a display of the Apollo/Soyuz spacecraft docked together. This display uses an Apollo module that was never flown, a backup docking part, and an unflown Soyuz spacecraft borrowed from the Russian government.

Commemorations

The United States Postal Service made special stamps to celebrate the meeting of American and Soviet spaceships in space on July 15, 1975, the day the mission began.

The last time the crew members met was on July 16, 2010, at a watch store in New York City. Some of them also talked about their experiences that evening.

Monument

A big monument showing the Earth and the joined spaceships was built outside the space control center in Moscow. Sadly, it was damaged when a vehicle hit it in the late 1990s and was taken away for repairs.

Mission Control Center

The room where the mission was controlled in Korolyov, Russia has been kept as a memorial to remember the Soyuz–Apollo mission.

Program cost

The United States Postal Service created special stamps to celebrate the meeting of American and Soviet spacecraft in space on July 15, 1975, the day the mission began.

The United States spent about US$245 million on the Apollo–Soyuz project. Adjusted for today’s money, this would be about $1.47 billion. We do not know exactly how much the Soviet Union spent, but it was a large amount.