APOLLO AS SEEN FROM SOYUZ

Creator

Southwestern Oklahoma State University
NASA

Preview

Creation Date

7-15-1975

Description

APOLLO AS SEEN FROM SOYUZ 19 – Three views of Apollo as photographed by Cosmonauts Aleksey A. Leonov and Valeriy N. Kubasov from their Soyuz spacecraft. The photographs were enlarged from individual frames of 16mm motion picture film provided by the USSR in an exchange of film from the first joint USA-USSR rendezvous and docking mission, July 15-24, 1975.

The profile view, (lower left) best shows the three major components of the Apollo Spacecraft. The docking module, which served as a transfer area between the Apollo and Soyuz spacecraft, is to the right of the photo attached to the apex of the conical-shaped command module. The cylindrical service module with its bell-shaped engine nozzle is to the left of the command module.

The photograph at upper left is a near “head-on” view of Apollo. The docking mechanism, which was used in linking-up with the Soyuz spacecraft in orbit, is at the bottom center of the picture. A similar cooperatively-designed docking mechanism was attached to the front of the Soviet spacecraft. Antennas and a ranging radar protrude to the right and from the bottom of the spacecraft.

The photograph at right shows the engine bell of Apollo’s 91,840 Newton (20,500 pound) thrust main engine above Earth’s horizon. The four dish-like reflectors of the unified S-band high-gain antenna used to transmit television, voice and data back to Earth protrude from the bottom of the spacecraft. The command module, nearly obscured behind the service module, and the docking module are seen at top.