The Apollo/Soyuz test project

Abstract

Consideration of the problems involved in the maneuvers executed by the Apollo Command and Service Module in docking with the Soyuz spacecraft. A detailed description is given of the Docking Module, which will serve as a kind of adaptor between the American and Soviet systems. Particular stress is placed on problems connected with the difference in atmosphere of the two vehicles and on the possibility of reducing this difference to the point where prebreathing of pure oxygen is not required when going from the Soviet vehicle with its air atmosphere to the American vehicle with its pure oxygen atmosphere. Also considered are problems connected with the use of different latching systems - an electromechanical attenuation system in the Soviet vehicle, and a hydraulic system in the Apollo Module.