APOLLO SOYUZ TEST PROJECT

Creator

Southwestern Oklahoma State University
NASA

Preview

Creation Date

7-15-1975

Description

The Apollo Soyuz Test Project (ASTP) is a joint endeavor of the United States and the Soviet Union as part of the agreement on cooperation in space with President Nixon and Chairman Kosygin signed in Moscow in May of 1972. Both countries have agreed to develop compatible rendezvous and docking systems which will provide a basis for docking and rescue on future spacecraft of both nations.

It was agreed to conduct a joint experimental mission in mid-1975 to rendezvous and dock a manned Apollo spacecraft with a manned Soyuz-type spacecraft to test these docking systems in orbit.

Each nation is separately developing docking systems based on a mutually-agreeable single set of interface design specifications.

The major new U.S. program elements are the Docking Module and docking system necessary to achieve compatibility of rendezvous and docking systems with the U.S.S.R. developed hardware to be used on a Soyuz spacecraft. The Docking Module and system together with an Apollo Command and Service Module (CSM) will be launched on a Saturn 1B launch vehicle. The ASTP mission will include testing the compatible docking systems; verifying techniques for transfer of astronauts and cosmonauts; conducting experiments while docked and undocked; developing experience for the conduct of potential joint flights by the U.S. and U.S.S.R. spacecraft, including, in case of necessity, rendering aid in emergency situations.