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General Overview The Apollo spacecraft was the same design as those used on lunar exploration missions. Several modifications were made for the Apollo-Soyuz mission, however, including the addition of propellants for the reaction control system, heaters for temperature control, and extra equipment needed to operate the Docking Module. The Soyuz had been the Soviet's primary spacecraft since 1967. It consisted of three basic modulesOrbital, Descent, and Instrumentno major modifications were needed. The mission began with the Soyuz launch on July 15, 1975, followed by the Apollo launch seven hours later. The docking in space of, the two spacecraft took place at 2:17 p.m. U.S. central time on July 17. Two days worth of joint operations followed. After separation, the Soyuz remained in space for almost two days before landing in the U.S.S.R. on July 21. The Apollo spacecraft remained in space for another three days before splashing down near Hawaii on July 24. The mission was a
resounding success for both Americans and Soviets. They achieved their
goal of obtaining flight experience for rendezvous and docking of human
spacecraft. In addition, they also demonstrated in-flight intervehicular
crew transfer, as well as accomplished a series of scientific experiments.
The ASTP mission was not only successful as a space effort, but the mutual
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Updated October 22, 2004
Amanda Mellies, Author
Les Lien, Designer
Steven J. Dick, NASA Chief Historian
Steve Garber, NASA History Web Curator
For further information E-mail histinfo@hq.nasa.gov
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