During October of 1970, the Soviet Academy of Sciences and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration met and agreed to set up groups to study the feasibility of conducting joint rendezvous and docking operations between the only two nations to have manned space programs. Four years later, these efforts resulted in the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project (ASTP). The goals of this project were more than just technical. The main objective in having the docking between the two spacecraft was to show a level of cooperation in space between the rival superpowers that could not be shown on the ground with the level of attention that a space mission would enjoy. While this cooperation did not lead to any other missions involving joint U.S./Soviet operations, channels were opened in the technical and scientific communities that have led to the exchange of much important information and ideas. Technically, the goals of the ASTP mission were to plan and conduct the desired mission. This involved creating a compatible interface that would allow the two different systems to operate as one. This could result in the possibility of rescue operations for the two nations should the need arise.
Sunday, 01-Aug-2004 00:36:47 CDT
CSR/TSGC Team Web
