Latest news with #Apollo-SoyuzTestProject
Observer
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Observer
A handshake in orbit 50 years ago transformed the space race
Some 140 miles above France, American astronauts opened a spacecraft hatch and found themselves face to face with cosmonauts from the Soviet Union. 'Glad to see you,' Col. Alexei Leonov spoke in accented English to Brig. Gen. Thomas Stafford of NASA. 'Ah, hello, very glad to see you,' Stafford responded in his own accented Russian. The two men then shook hands. Today, Russian and American astronauts routinely share rides to the International Space Station, no matter the geopolitical conflict that divides their nations. But in the summer of 1975, seeing two men from rival nations greet each other in orbit across a bridge between their docked spacecraft was a powerful and unprecedented gesture witnessed by millions on the world spinning below. The handshake, which occurred 50 years ago on July 17, defined the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project, the first international human spaceflight. That simple symbol of partnership between bitter competitors remains an enduring legacy of the mission. 'It's amazing to think that two opposed countries with different systems and cultures, essentially ready to destroy each other, can somehow cooperate and do this highly technical, complicated mission,' said Asif Siddiqi, a professor of history at Fordham University and an expert on Russian space history. A generation after the orbital handclasp, the Soviets and the United States would come together to build the ISS. The aging space outpost's days are finite, and there are no immediate plans for Russia and the U.S. to sustain their cooperation in human spaceflight. The U.S. also sees itself as competing with China for dominance in space. But experts like Siddiqi see reasons for hope on the 50th anniversary of the Apollo-Soyuz mission. 'Whenever people tell me that this would never happen today, I always think, Well, that's what people said in the late '60s,' Siddiqi said. 'Androgynous' Dock Early in the space age, as America raced to catch up to the Soviet Union, a partnership in space had been proposed. In September 1963, speaking before the United Nations General Assembly two months before his assassination, President John F. Kennedy floated a joint mission to the moon. 'Why, therefore, should man's first flight to the moon be a matter of national competition?' he asked. 'Surely we should explore whether the scientists and astronauts of our two countries — indeed of all the world — cannot work together in the conquest of space.' This dream was deferred, and the U.S. would overtake the Soviets in the moon race with the successful Apollo 11 mission in 1969. Oddly, the American moon landing may have created a new window for cooperation. Public support for the Apollo missions fell, and the program was cut short after the Apollo 17 mission in 1972. That left the U.S. space program without an immediate objective. In parallel, both nations' reputations were tarnished abroad, the Soviet Union by its invasion of Czechoslovakia, and America by its involvement in the Vietnam War. That created an additional motivation to jointly reassert each country's status atop the global hierarchy. 'They needed to lift themselves and cooperate to show the rest of the world: We are as super and as great as ever before. We're doing things which no country can do in a similar capacity,' said Olga Krasnyak, an associate professor of international relations at the National Research University Higher School of Economics in Moscow. This mutually recognized opportunity for prestige led to tentative talks between the country's officials in 1970. From the get-go, it was clear that the mission faced immense diplomatic, technical, and cultural obstacles. There was no smooth glide path to launch. 'How do we communicate with people who speak entirely different languages, and who think differently about engineering and problem-solving?' Brian C. Odom, NASA's chief historian, said. 'On paper, it seems easy. You launch, we launch, we come together, we shake hands, we go our separate ways. But making that happen, where you don't have five people dying in orbit, is incredibly difficult.' The sudden switch from enemies to partners, at least in this limited case, caused whiplash for the public and politicians alike (a scenario that was dramatized in the Apple TV alternative history series 'For All Mankind'). Zbigniew Brzezinski, who later served as Jimmy Carter's national security adviser, criticized the Nixon and Ford administrations for the mission, calling it a 'technological giveaway.' Soviet space officials, who had long worked in secrecy, had to overcome wariness about loosening the flow of information to an adversary. The country's diplomats had to ensure that plans could be discussed without divulging anything sensitive to national security. Both sides were suspicious of the safety of the other's flagship spacecraft. The three astronauts selected for Apollo 1 perished in a fire during a rehearsal in 1967, while the three cosmonauts of Soyuz 11 died in space in 1971 when their cabin depressurized. Snipes about the superiority of one side's spacecraft over the other rankled insiders of the mission. American astronauts were used to a much more hands-on guidance system with Apollo, whereas Soyuz was largely automatic and controlled from the ground. The vehicles even used different atmospheres in their interiors. Soyuz simulates the familiar conditions of Earth, with a nitrogen-oxygen air mixture and a pressure equivalent to our planet at sea level. Apollo, in contrast, used a pure oxygen atmosphere at a much lower pressure. This discrepancy was solved by the development of a docking module with airtight hatches at each end. Once the module connected the two craft, crew members from one vehicle could enter, ensuring that both hatches were closed while it pressurized to match conditions of the other side. When that process was complete, the hatch to the other vehicle could be opened, allowing crews to safely enter without risking 'the bends,' a condition caused by rapid depressurization. For this particular mission, the Soyuz was kept at a lower pressure than normal to ease transitions between vehicles. The docking module was also purposefully designed to be androgynous to ensure that neither spacecraft was perceived as 'female,' or passive. As the mission planners navigated these headaches, a deep and abiding friendship flourished between the astronauts and cosmonauts. The Apollo side, headed by Stafford, also included Donald 'Deke' Slayton and Vance Brand. Leonov flew on the Soyuz side with Valery Kubasov. The crews learned each other's languages, though Leonov jokingly called Stafford's drawling pronunciation 'Oklahomski.' They trained together at NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston and Star City, the Russian space center outside Moscow. During these meetings, the space travelers hunted, drank and partied together. They shared steam baths and got into snowball fights. The two commanders remained particularly close for the rest of their lives: Leonov helped Stafford adopt two children from Russia, and Stafford gave a eulogy in Russian (or, rather, Oklahomski) at Leonov's funeral in 2019. The crews were 'setting an example, by being friendly and demonstrating cooperation,' said Brand, the last living member of the mission, in a 2000 interview with Rebecca Wright of NASA's Johnson Space Center Oral History Project. 'We actually came to have a very close relationship with the Soviet crew,' he added. Strawberry Juice and Borscht Against all odds, the crews finally reached their launch pads during the summer of 1975. On July 15, the Soyuz crew blasted off from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, followed by the Apollo crew, which launched about seven hours later from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The lead-up to docking was relatively smooth, though the Apollo crew discovered a 'super Florida mosquito' had stowed away with them, and Stafford joked that a juice spill had turned the Apollo into a 'strawberry-colored spacecraft.' The spaceships successfully docked at 12:12 p.m. Eastern time, July 17, high above the Atlantic Ocean. Hours later, the historic handshake was broadcast live to millions of viewers. The mission even inspired a cocktail called the Link Up, with equal parts Southern Comfort and vodka mixed with lime and ice, served at London's Savoy Hotel. The crew spent the next two days exchanging gifts, dining together (including borscht toasts), listening to music, and conducting experiments. The ships parted ways on July 19. After all the mutual worries about spacecraft safety, it was Apollo that ended up experiencing a serious incident, as toxic fumes filled the capsule during reentry. The brand lost consciousness, and the crew was hospitalized after splashdown. Despite this frightening conclusion of the mission, the astronauts quickly recovered and the mission was hailed as a diplomatic and technical success. 'A Little Bit Messy' A second Apollo-Soyuz mission was planned, but it never panned out. U.S.-Soviet tensions rose again during the late 1970s and into the 1980s. The countries did not directly team up again for years. However, both superpowers fostered new collaborations with their allies. During the 1980s, NASA space shuttle crews included Canadian, European, and Japanese astronauts, while the Soviet Union launched cosmonauts who came from Cuba, Poland, Vietnam, Afghanistan, and other countries. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Americans and Russians again joined forces in space, first aboard the Mir space station in the early 1990s. The American-Russian partnership is now the backbone of the ISS, which has remained continuously inhabited since the year 2000. That outpost is in its twilight years. Russia is discussing building its own separate successor space station, and the U.S. is seeding commercial outposts in orbit — efforts that can make Apollo-Soyuz seem like a distant memory. But Krasnyak, the Russian international relations expert, said that the legacy of this mission, and cooperative space exploration in general, remains important to Russians 50 years later. Whether the U.S. and Russia partner on future human spaceflights or not, she noted that the two powers continue to be world leaders shaping international deliberations on space. Siddiqi, the historian of Russian spaceflight, views the 1975 U.S.-Soviet mission as a forerunner for the complex international partnerships that characterize modern spaceflight, even if it's in a 'roundabout way.' 'It was a little bit messy, but the road leads back to Apollo-Soyuz,' he said. 'Other historians would see it differently, as a kind of rupture or as a one-off, but I see a lot of continuities.' Odom, NASA's chief historian, does not see Apollo-Soyuz as a direct progenitor of the ISS, or of other subsequent space collaborations. From his perspective, the mission's legacy is grounded more in the context of a time when two feuding powers extended an olive branch into orbit, with repercussions for how their citizens viewed each other back on Earth. 'The people who were involved come away from it thinking about what cooperation really might mean,' Odom said. 'If we can cooperate with the Soviet Union in this way, we can cooperate with anyone.' The direct communication and interpersonal relationships were a powerful spinoff from the mission, Odom added. 'The thing that they come away with is that 'oh, you're human beings just like us,' he said. 'You're not the monsters that we imagined or feared that you would be. You're just people trying to do a job and go about your daily life.' This article originally appeared in
NZ Herald
18-07-2025
- Science
- NZ Herald
A handshake in orbit 50 years ago transformed the space race
The Apollo-Soyuz Test Project brought Soviet cosmonauts and Nasa astronauts together in the first international human spaceflight. Some 225km above France, American astronauts opened a spacecraft hatch and found themselves face to face with cosmonauts from the Soviet Union. 'Glad to see you,' Colonel Alexei Leonov spoke in accented English
Associated Press
01-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Yuri's Night Los Angeles Will be Held at the California Science Center on April 5, 2025: Apollo-Soyuz, a Legacy of Human Connection
Yuri's Night Los Angeles Returns to the California Science Center on April 5, 2025 Yuri's Night, the annual space-themed celebration, will take place at the California Science Center on Saturday, April 5, 2025, from 7:00 p.m. to midnight. The event brings together astronauts, scientists, engineers, artists, and space enthusiasts for an immersive evening of music, science, and art, honoring space exploration and its impact on humanity's future. This year's event commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project, the first human international space mission. The mission, which culminated in a symbolic handshake between American and Soviet astronauts in orbit, laid the foundation for future global cooperation in space exploration. Featured Speakers and Special Guests The event will feature a keynote address by NASA astronaut Jeanette Epps, who recently completed a six-month mission aboard the International Space Station as part of NASA's SpaceX Crew-8 mission. Additional speakers include: Dr. Sian Proctor – Inspiration4 astronaut presenting the Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (JEDI) Award Ken Phillips – Space curator at the California Science Center providing an update on the Space Shuttle pavilion Scott Manley – Science communicator discussing the latest advancements in space exploration Richelle Gribble – Artist exploring the intersection of creativity and space science Ari Eisenstat – Space historian speaking at the historic Apollo-Soyuz capsule display In addition, several Yuri's Night Los Angeles space ambassadors will be in attendance, including astronauts Andy Sadhwani and Christopher Huie, as well as space industry professionals Ryan Robertson, Christine Hsieh, and Jason Achilles. Interactive Exhibits and Experiences The event will feature hands-on exhibits, industry showcases, and immersive experiences, including: Space technology displays from organizations such as ExLabs, L3Harris, Vast, and Turion The Apollo-Soyuz capsule exhibit, which will be on display without protective plexiglass for a limited time An asteroid rock petting zoo, offering an opportunity to examine interstellar materials Virtual reality experiences, allowing attendees to explore lunar and deep-space environments Nonprofit outreach programs, with participation from the Columbia Memorial Space Center, Griffith Observatory Foundation, and Mt. Wilson Observatory Live Entertainment and Performances The evening will also feature live music and performances, including sets from flown Blue Origin astronaut Chris Boshuizen, also known as Dr. Chrispy, as well as astrophysicist DJ Scott Manley and electronic music duo Test Shot Starfish. The event will include a second immersive dance space curated by the RVDIOVCTIVE artist collective, featuring Charles Meyer, DateNite, Devon James, and Naiad. Additional entertainment will include a space-themed game show by Two Bit Circus and appearances from Star Wars and Star Trek fan organizations, including the 501st Legion, Rebel Legion, and The Fleet. Honoring Space Industry Leaders This year's Spirit of Yuri's Night Award will be presented to astronaut Sarah Gillis in recognition of her contributions to space exploration. Gillis participated in the Polaris Dawn mission, where she completed the first commercial spacewalk and performed a violin solo in orbit as a fundraiser for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. As she is unable to attend the event, the award will be accepted on her behalf by senior space operations engineer Arthur Barriault. About Yuri's Night Yuri's Night is an international celebration of human spaceflight, held annually on or around April 12 to commemorate Yuri Gagarin's historic 1961 spaceflight and the first space shuttle launch in 1981. The Los Angeles event, produced by The SpaceKind Foundation, serves as the flagship Yuri's Night celebration and is part of a global movement that fosters public engagement with space and science through immersive events and community outreach. For more information and ticket details, visit Yuri's Night Brandon Thonen 502-533-5705
Russia Today
28-03-2025
- Business
- Russia Today
Putin aide reveals proposal for Musk's planned Mars mission
Moscow is prepared to contribute a compact nuclear power station and 'other advanced technologies' to support Elon Musk's future Mars mission, according to President Vladimir Putin's special economic representative Kirill Dmitriev. Dmitriev, who has taken on the role of chief economic envoy in recent US-Russia talks, first floated the idea of a joint mission to Mars in mid-March. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the International Arctic Forum on Thursday, Dmitriev said Moscow could offer various technological capabilities for long-duration missions to the Red Planet. 'Russia can offer a small-scale nuclear power station for the Mars mission, along with other advanced technologies,' Dmitriev told RIA Novosti. 'We believe that Russia has a lot to offer the Mars mission, because we possess nuclear technologies that, I think, could be applicable.' READ MORE: Moscow invites Musk to collaborate on Mars exploration Dmitriev previously highlighted the potential role of the national nuclear energy giant Rosatom and the space agency Roscosmos in enhancing the safety and efficiency of deep space missions. He also noted that 2025 would be a symbolic year to announce such an initiative, as it marks the 50th anniversary of the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project — the first crewed international space mission, jointly carried out by the US and the Soviet Union in July 1975. The SpaceX CEO has not yet publicly responded to the proposal, though Dmitriev reiterated that he was open to holding a videoconference with Musk to explore potential cooperation. The renewed outreach comes amid signs of improving relations between Moscow and Washington. Dmitriev was part of the Russian delegation at recent US-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia, which resulted in an agreement to begin restoring diplomatic and scientific cooperation across several sectors. READ MORE: American starship explodes in 'meteor shower' of debris (VIDEOS) President Vladimir Putin has also noted that in his communications with President Donald Trump, the two sides had 'agreed to work together in space.' READ MORE: Russian business should 'cooperate' with Musk – Putin Putin has voiced support for cooperation with Musk, signaling high-level backing for potential joint projects. Speaking at the Forum of Future Technologies in February, the president said Russian companies should be ready to collaborate with Musk once he shifts his focus back to science from his current role advising on US government reform. Earlier this month, Musk reaffirmed his goal to launch the first uncrewed Mars mission as early as 2026, with human landings possibly beginning in 2029. A prototype Starship carrying a Tesla-developed humanoid robot is expected to be part of the initial test phase. Starship departs for Mars at the end of next year, carrying Optimus. If those landings go well, then human landings may start as soon as 2029, although 2031 is more likely. — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 15, 2025
Russia Today
15-03-2025
- Business
- Russia Today
Moscow invites Musk to collaborate on Mars exploration
Russian sovereign wealth fund head Kirill Dmitriev has pitched a US-Russia partnership for Mars exploration to Elon Musk. In a post on X on Saturday, Dmitriev, who has also taken on the role of chief economic envoy in the US-Russia talks, noted the importance of space collaboration between the two countries 'for the glory of humanity.' Dmitriev's remarks came in response to Musk's announcement of a planned 2026 Mars mission. The SpaceX founder stated that the company's Starship spacecraft is set to depart for Mars next year and will be carrying a Tesla humanoid bot called Optimus. Musk also suggested that human landings on Mars could begin as early as 2029. 'Shall 2029 be the year of a joint US-Russia mission to Mars, @elonmusk? Our minds & technology should serve the glory of humanity, not its destruction,' Dmitriev wrote. He also noted that 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project, the first crewed international space mission carried out jointly by then-spaceflight rivals, the US and the Soviet Union, in July 1975. Musk has not yet publicly responded to Dmitriev's proposal, but the idea has garnered a slew of positive reactions from X users. The proposal comes amid a thaw in relations between Moscow and Washington following years of tensions over the Ukraine conflict. Dmitriev was part of the Russian delegation at the high-level US-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia last month, which marked the first direct diplomatic contact between the two states since 2022. The meeting ended with both sides signaling a readiness to restart economic and diplomatic cooperation and join forces in resolving the Ukraine conflict. Despite the conflict and Western sanctions imposed on Moscow, space cooperation between the US and Russia has not been severed. For instance, NASA and the Russian space agency Roscosmos recently extended their agreement on cross-flights to the International Space Station through 2026. Last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested that domestic companies should collaborate with Musk once the billionaire shifts his focus back to science from government reform. Since returning to office, President Donald Trump has appointed Musk as an adviser leading the Department of Government Effectiveness (DOGE) charged with cutting wasteful spending, bureaucracy, and corruption in US government.
