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The Apollo-Soyuz Test Project (ASTP) was the first human spaceflight mission managed jointly by two nations. It was designed to test the compatibility of rendezvous and docking systems for American and Soviet spacecraft in order to open the way for future joint human flights. There were a number of difficulties that both nations had to resolve in the mission design before they could assure a safe docking of both spacecraft and an on-orbit meeting of crewmembers. The technical challenges included different measuring systems, the different spacecraft and thus mating adapter designs, and different air pressures and mixtures. 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 modules?Orbital, Descent, and Instrument?no 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 confidence and trust it engendered made it a huge step in international cooperation during the Cold War. Additional information available at "http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/history/astp/astp.html"
[Summary provided by NASA]
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