In February 1975, American astronauts and Soviet cosmonauts assigned to the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project (ASTP) held their final joint training session in the United States before their historic mission five months later. Delegations of Soviet engineers, scientists, and managers arrived in the United States for joint meetings and technical work with their American counterparts. The joint activities made great progress toward ensuring the success of the historic mission and helped to develop trusting relationships between the two Cold War adversaries.
Left: American and Soviet specialists conduct electronic compatibility tests in the DM.
Middle: Engineers prepare the DM for mating with the SLA – the Apollo CSM is in the
workstand in the background. Right: Engineers prepare the CSM for mating with the SLA.
A team of 11 Soviet specialists visited Kennedy Space Center (KSC) between Jan. 28 and Feb. 7 to conduct electronic compatibility tests between the Apollo spacecraft and the Docking Module (DM) in the Manned Spacecraft Operations Building (MSOB). It marked the first time that Soviet specialists worked at KSC and together with their American counterparts, they conducted tests of television and audio equipment to be carried in the Soyuz spacecraft to ensure compatibility with systems in the DM. The Soviet toured KSC facilities and enjoyed recreation time at Disney World and other venues. After completion of these tests, on Feb. 24 engineers at KSC lowered the DM into the Spacecraft Lunar Module (LM) Assembly (SLA) where it rode into space, much like LMs during Apollo lunar missions. Engineers prepared the Command and Service Module (CSM) for mating with the SLA in early March.
Left: ASTP crewmembers (left to right) Kubasov, Leonov, and Slayton examine a
US spacesuit along with Shatalov (second from right). Right: ASTP crewmembers and
managers (left to right) American interpreter, Stafford, Brand, Slayton, Soviet interpreter,
Shatalov, Leonov, and Kubasov hold a press conference in Firing Room 4 of the LCC.
A team of eight Soviet cosmonauts accompanied by Gen. Vladimir A. Shatalov, Chief of cosmonaut training at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, arrived at KSC on Feb. 8 for three days of tours and familiarization sessions. The prime Soviet ASTP crew of Aleksey A. Leonov and Valeri N. Kubasov, along with their backups Anatoli V. Filipchenko and Nikolai N. Rukavishnikov and support cosmonauts Vladimir A. Dzhanibekov, Boris D. Andreyev, Yuri V. Romanenko, and Aleksandr S. Ivanchenko, toured KSC facilities. American ASTP prime crew of Thomas P. Stafford, Vance D. Brand, and Donald K. “Deke” Slayton, along with their backups Alan L. Bean, Ronald E. Evans, and Jack R. Lousma, accompanied them on visits to the MSOB where they inspected the Apollo CSM and DM and an American spacesuit, and to facilities at Launch Complex 39 including one of the launch pads, the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), and the Launch Control Center’s Firing Room 4 where they addressed employees and held a press conference. For entertainment, the Soviet delegation visited Disney World.
Left: Soviet and American ASTP crewmembers visit Disney World. Middle: ASTP crews pose before a mockup
of the docked spacecraft in the VAB. Right: ASTP crew pose in front of a painting by space
artist Robert McCall of their docked spacecraft.
A high-ranking delegation of Soviet officials including Academician Boris N. Petrov, Soviet ASTP Director Konstantin D. Bushuyev and cosmonaut and flight director Aleksey S. Yeliseyev also visited KSC, accompanied by American ASTP Director Glynn S. Lunney. In addition to meetings, the Soviets toured KSC facilities including Launch Complex facilities such as the VAB. Following their meetings, they accompanied the ASTP crewmembers to the Johnson Space Center (JSC) for a series of meetings through Feb. 13. The astronauts and cosmonauts held two weeks of joint training sessions at JSC while the managers and other technical specialists held the last round of joint working group meetings in the United Stated prior to the spaceflight.
Left: American and Soviet ASTP managers pose in front of a mockup of the docked
Apollo and Soyuz spacecraft in KSC’s VAB. Right: American ASTP manager
Lunney (in light suit) and Soviet ASTP manager Bushuyev (to Lunney’s left) lead
their delegations between buildings at JSC.
Left: Joint management meeting at JSC.
Right: Working group members during a technical exchange meeting at JSC.
During their two-week joint training session, the astronauts and cosmonauts conducted exercises in the Apollo Command Module, DM, and Soyuz simulators and mockups, continued training in each other’s languages including spacecraft-to-spacecraft communications, and received briefings on the science experiments planned for their joint mission. For entertainment, the crewmembers made a weekend visit to the King Ranch in south Texas where they enjoyed camaraderie and barbecue and enjoyed the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo at the Houston Astrodome. They provided an overview of their mission to the media during a press conference and were feted during a farewell reception. The cosmonauts departed Houston on March 1 to return to the Soviet Union. The crews would meet one more time, this time at Star City in late April, before the historic handshake in space in July.
Left: ASTP commanders Stafford (left) and Leonov in a lighthearted moment
during training at JSC. Right: ASTP crews and trainers during a joint CM training session at JSC.
Left: Leonov (left) and Stafford in the CM trainer displaying one of the symbolic artifacts for their mission.
Middle: Kubasov (left) and Slayton training in the DM.
Right: Filipchenko gives an OK sign after tasting American space food.
Left: ASTP commanders Stafford (left) and Leonov practice communications protocols
during the JSC training session. Right: ASTP crewmembers (left to right) Stafford, Slayton,
Leonov, and Kubasov practice food preparation in a Soyuz spacecraft mockup
during the JSC training session.
Scenes from the weekend trip to King Ranch. Left: Target shooting.
Middle: Group photo. Right: Enjoying a barbecue lunch.
Left: Enjoying the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
Right: A scene from the farewell reception.
To be continued…
John Uri
NASA Johnson Space Center