NASA Apollo-Soyuz Test Project Saturn IB
Rocket Launch Video Stream
Meet the Astronaut Crew
Thomas P. Stafford
| Birthday | 09/17/1930 |
|---|---|
| Role | Commander |
| Nationality | United States of America |
| First Flight | 12/15/1965 |
| Last Flight | 07/15/1975 |
Thomas Patten Stafford was an American Air Force officer, test pilot, and NASA astronaut.
Vance D. Brand
| Birthday | 05/09/1931 |
|---|---|
| Role | Command Module Pilot |
| Nationality | United States of America |
| First Flight | 07/15/1975 |
| Last Flight | 12/02/1990 |
Vance DeVoe Brand is an American former naval officer and aviator, aeronautical engineer, test pilot, and NASA astronaut. He served as Command Module Pilot during...
Deke Slayton
| Birthday | 03/01/1924 |
|---|---|
| Role | Docking Module Pilot |
| Nationality | United States of America |
| First Flight | 07/15/1975 |
| Last Flight | 07/15/1975 |
Donald Kent "Deke" Slayton, was an American World War II pilot, aeronautical engineer, and test pilot who was selected as one of the original NASA...
About the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project Mission
| Type | Human Exploration |
|---|---|
| Orbit | Low Earth Orbit |
The Apollo-Soyuz Test Project was the first joint US-Soviet space flight and the last crewed US space mission until the Space Shuttle program.
The US side of mission began on July 15, 1975, 19:50:00 UTC, launching Commander Thomas P. Stafford, Command Module Pilot Vance D. Brand and Docking Module Pilot Donald K. Slayton into orbit. Two days later, they docked with the Soyuz 19 spacecraft. American and Soviet crews visited each other's spacecrafts, performed docking and redocking maneuvers, conducted joint scientific experiments, exchanged flags and gifts. Crews spent more than 44 hours together, and after final parting of the ships on July 19, Apollo crew spent nine more days in orbit, conducting Earth observation experiments.
The Apollo crew returned to Earth on July 24, 1975, 21:18:0 UTC with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.
Launch Pad & Location
Launch Complex 39B
Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA
| Launches | 59 |
|---|---|
| Orbital Launch Attempts | 58 |
| Total Launches | 283 |
The John F. Kennedy Space Center, located on Merritt Island, Florida, is one of NASA's ten field centers. Since 1968, KSC has been NASA's primary launch center of American spaceflight, research, and technology. Launch operations for the Apollo, Skylab and Space Shuttle programs were carried out from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39 and managed by KSC. Located on the east coast of Florida, KSC is adjacent to Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS).
NASA Saturn IB Rocket
The Saturn IB (pronounced "one B", also known as the Uprated Saturn I) was an American launch vehicle commissioned by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for the Apollo program. It replaced the S-IV second stage of the Saturn I with the much more powerful S-IVB, able to launch a partially fueled Apollo Command/Service Module (CSM) or a fully fueled Lunar Module (LM) into low Earth orbit for early flight tests before the larger Saturn V needed for lunar flight was ready.
| Length | 43.2 m |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 6.6 m |
| Stages | 2 |
| Launch Mass | 590.0 T |
| Takeoff Thrust | 7,100.0 kN |
| LEO Capacity | 21,000 kg |
| Maiden Flight | 2/26/1966 |
Mission Spacecraft
Apollo CSM-111
Apollo CSM-111 (CSM-111) was the spacecraft used for this mission. It is a North American Aviation Capsule designed for Cargo and Human Transportation to Lunar Orbit and traveled to Low Earth Orbit.
CSM-111 was an Apollo Command & Service Module used in the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project. The Apollo Command/Service Module (CSM) was one of two principal components of the United States Apollo spacecraft, used for the Apollo program which landed astronauts on the Moon between 1969 and 1972. The CSM functioned as a mother ship which carried a crew of three astronauts and the second Apollo spacecraft, the Lunar Module, to lunar orbit, and brought the astronauts back to Earth. It consisted of two parts: the conical Command Module, a cabin that housed the crew and carried equipment needed for atmospheric reentry and splashdown; and the cylindrical Service Module which provided propulsion, electrical power and storage for various consumables required during a mission. An umbilical connection transferred power and consumables between the two modules. Just before reentry of the Command Module on the return home, the umbilical connection was severed and the Service Module was cast off and allowed to burn up in the atmosphere. 14 days
| Type | Capsule |
|---|---|
| Agency | North American Aviation |
| Serial Number | CSM-111 |
| Status | Single Use |
| Destination | Low Earth Orbit |
| Maiden Flight | 2/26/1966 |
| Mission End | 7/24/1975 |
| Flights | 1 |
| Crew Capacity | 3 |
| Human Rated | Yes |
| Height | 11.0 m |
| Diameter | 3.9 m |
| Payload Capacity | 1,050 kg |
About NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is an independent agency of the executive branch of the United States federal government responsible for the civilian space program, as well as aeronautics and aerospace research. NASA have many launch facilities but most are inactive. The most commonly used pad will be LC-39B at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
| Total Launches | 142 |
|---|---|
| Successful | 122 |
| Failed | 20 |
| Pending | 5 |
| Consecutive Success | 12 |
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the NASA Saturn IB Apollo-Soyuz Test Project launch scheduled?
The NASA Saturn IB Apollo-Soyuz Test Project launch was scheduled for:
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Where can I watch the NASA Saturn IB Apollo-Soyuz Test Project launch video?
You can watch the NASA Saturn IB launch video on this page. The official video includes full mission coverage with multiple camera angles, onboard views, and expert commentary covering pre-launch procedures, liftoff, stage separation, and payload deployment.
Where did the NASA Saturn IB Apollo-Soyuz Test Project mission launch from?
The NASA Saturn IB rocket launched from Launch Complex 39B at Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA. The John F. Kennedy Space Center, located on Merritt Island, Florida, is one of NASA's ten field centers. Since 1968, KSC has been NASA's primary launch center of American spaceflight, research, and technology. Launch operations for the Apollo, Skylab and Space Shuttle programs were carried out from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39 and managed by KSC. Located on the east coast of Florida, KSC is adjacent to Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS).
What rocket was used for the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project mission?
The Apollo-Soyuz Test Project mission launched aboard a NASA Saturn IB rocket. The Saturn IB (pronounced "one B", also known as the Uprated Saturn I) was an American launch vehicle commissioned by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for the Apollo program. It replaced the S-IV second stage of the Saturn I with the much more powerful S-IVB, able to launch a partially fueled Apollo Command/Service Module (CSM) or a fully fueled Lunar Module (LM) into low Earth orbit for early flight tests before the larger Saturn V needed for lunar flight was ready. Detailed rocket specifications and performance data are available in the rocket details above.
What weather conditions could have delayed the NASA Saturn IB Apollo-Soyuz Test Project launch?
The NASA Saturn IB Apollo-Soyuz Test Project launch could have been delayed by various weather conditions including lightning within 10 nautical miles, high winds (especially upper-level winds), thick cloud layers, precipitation, and poor visibility. Weather must be favorable at the launch site, downrange landing zones, and abort landing sites.
How can I get updates if the NASA Saturn IB Apollo-Soyuz Test Project launch was delayed?
This page was updated in real-time with the latest NASA Saturn IB launch status, including any delays or scrubs for the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project mission. You can also check our space launch schedule for historical launch information. Our mobile app provides push notifications for instant alerts about launch status changes. Official NASA live streams provided the most immediate range updates during the launch window.
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