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JSC-09835
5-0AY REPORT
HoullDn, Tem.
August 1975
PREFACE
The Apollo Soyuz mission was the first manned space flight to be con-
ducted jointly by two nations - the United States and the Union of Soviet
~ocialist Republics. The primary purpose of (he mission was to test sys-
tems for rendezvous and docking of manned spacecra1:t that would be suit-
able for use as a standard international syst~m, and to dcmonstrate crew
transfer between spacecraft. The secondary purpose was to conduct a pro-
gram of scientific and applications experimentation. With minor mudifi-
cations, the Apollo and Soyuz spacecraft were like those flown on previ-
ous missions. However, a new module was built specifically for this
mission - the docking module. It served as an airlock [0- crew tr3nsfer
and as a structural base for the docking ::1echanism that interfa ced with
a similar mechanism on the Soyuz orbital module.
Amer ~ ~an
and Russian spacecraft was made by the A?0110 Commander and the
Docking Module Pilot. All planned activities were conducted including
connection and checkout of communications cables, and experiment opera-
tions. Messages of congratulations were received by all crewmen from the
heads of state of both nations. Second and third transfers were made so
that each crewman could visit the other spacecraft. Activit'es during
these periods included: television tours of the two spacecraft and of
parts of the United States and the Soviet Union during overflight; a
press conference in which all crewmen partic ipated; experiment activi-
ties; eating; exercising; and exchanges of symbolic items to commemo-
rate the successful docki~ ~ and transfer. The f ourth transfer returned
all crewmen to their o~~ spacecraft.
The first undocking was perf ormed normall y . with tne Apollo docking
system active, after the two spa ecraft had been docked for almost 44
hours. A joint artificial solar ec1ipRe experiment (HA-l48) was per-
tormed following undo king and the spacecraft were docked a second time
to test the docking mechanisms with the Soyuz ocking system active.
The docking was performed at 96:14 g.e.t. Final undocking was at 99:06
g.e.t. after which the ultraviolet absorption experiment (r~-059) was
conducted. Upon completion of the joint activities, unilateral experi-
ments were performed.
The deorbit maneuver was performed at 224:18 g.e.t. and the command
module landed ~bout 1.3 kilome ters from th e target point on July 24, 1975,
a t 21:18:24 C.m.t. after a flight of 217 hours 28 minutes and 23 sec onds.
3
TRAJECTORY
This caused the Apollo spacecraft to pass directly above the Soyuz at
102:49 g.e.t. for the 1000-meter data-take which terminated the joint
phase of the mission. The Apollo orbit at this time was 222.1 by 220.9
kilometers with the Apollo trailing the Soyuz at an increasing range rate
of approximately 9.3 kilometers per orbit.
All Apollo trim maneuver was executed at 146:38 g.e.t. to shift the
end-of-mission ascending node l.le to the east to assure that the ent~y
groune track would be near the nominal recovery area. The ground track
had st.ifteJ to the west during the mission because of the initial Soyuz
plar.~ position and slightly higher than nominal orbits. The retrograde
trim n~euv~ . was 2.2 m/sec and placed the Apollo in a 219.1 by 211.3
kilometer ~ c ~it.
The docking module was jettisoned at 199:27 g.e.t. ~,ith an est ~ mated
orbital lifetime of 18 days. Thirty-five minutes IdLer, the con~and and
service module performed a 9.5 m/sec service propulsion system maneuver,
placing it in a 227.2 by 218.2 kilometer orbit. This was the first ot
two service propulsion system maneuvers to set up a 300 kilometer range
between the docking module and the command and service module for the
doppler tracking experiment. The second service propulsion sys~em maneu-
ver occurred at 204:14 g.e.t. and this retrograde maneuver of 8.1 m/sec
plac~d the command and service module in a 219.6 by 206.5 kilometer orbit.
The times of the major events are given in table I and the major
maneuver parameters are given in table II.
6
The docking systems used on the docking module and the Soyuz space-
craft performed properly. The Apollo spacec raf t was the maneuvering ve-
hicle for the two dockings. The tin:.:. of capture for the first docking
was 51:49 g.e.t. and the spacecraft remained docked for 43 hours and 54
minutes. The last decking, with the Soyuz docking system active, was at
96:14 g.e.t., and undocking was at 99:06 g.e.t.
Structures
From visual observation and crew comments, the docking module struc-
tural sysLem performed satisfactorily. At 52: 11 g.e.t., the crew reported
a strong odor of Itburnt glue" or "acetate" aft e r opening the command mod-
ule hatch I after docking. The crew performed normal procedures to verify
the acceptability of the docking module atmosphere. Five minutes after
1
the first report, the crew reported that the smell had "dissipated quite
a b.f t." The crew could not find the source of the odor. The crew was
advised that at least one crewmember shou . .d don his mask until the problem
was better understood. Subsequently, mixing of the docking module and
command module atmospheres was initiated and the odor dissipated follow-
ing atmosphere mixing. The Command Module Pilot continued to use his mask
until approximately 52:35 g.e.t. a t which time the odor had dissipated.
Postflight analysis of charcoal from the lithium hydroxide elements which
were in use at the time and discuss 10ns with the crew will be conducted
to attempt to identify the contaminants.
Thermal Control
Communications
Instrumentation
Stru tures
Mechanisms
All conunand and service moJule mechanisms f unctioned prop rly except
for on problem with the Jacking probe. The final step of probe removal
r e quir~d installation of the ap t ure latch release tool iu the aft end of
th do king probe t o r elease the prob capture latche ~ from the drogue,
thereby all wing removal of th ~ rrob e from the tunnel. This could not be
accomplished. Tre crewman then observed that on of the pyrot e chni c elec-
trical connertors was blocking the tool entrance hole. Worka round proce -
dures ~ere ~ent to the crew for the removal of the cover which was over
the pyro~2chni c connectors and remo a l of the interf e ring connector. (The
conne tor was for the expended pyrotechnic initiator that was used for the
probe retraction . ) Tlte connector was successfully disengaged and the pyro-
technic cover was reinstalled. The loose connector was then taped to the
pyrotechnic cover and the pr~be was successfully removed in accordance
with the che t list.
Thermal Control
The thermal perf01mance of the command and service modules was moni-
tored by temperature sensors locat d on propellant tanks and lines, com-
municat:ions equipment. and experiments. All command and servi e module
t mperatl!res ,,'ere maintained within allowable limits throughout the flight.
The two earth landing system switches were finally armed 30 seconds
later and immediately stopped the reaction control system thruster com-
mands. Dur!ng this 30 second interval, all thrusters were very active
and, for the first 6 seconds, expelled com~ustion products of monomethyl
hydrazine with nitrogen tetroxide. The next instant, the reaction con-
trol isolation valves were manually closed. Consequently, instead of
products of combustion, 3.4 kilograms of nitrog : n t~troxide of the 4.1
kilograms trapped between the isolation ~ ,- lves and the thrusters boiled
off and was expelled from the thrusters during the remaining 24 seconds
before the reaction contrc] system was inhibited.
The cabin pressure relief valve opens automatically prior to the de-
ployment sequence to increase the cabin pressure to ambient conditions.
Therefore, during the 30-secon~ period of thruster activi ly , a mixture
of air and combustion products, but primarily, a mixture of air and ni-
trogen tetroxide vapors were sucked into the cabin .
Fun c tioning of the automatic and manual landing systems and associ-
ated hardware was all normal.
One 0 the most sign ficant accomplishments of the mission was the
i rst use of a communicat ions satellite to relay manned spacecraf t sig-
nals to the ground. The satellite used was Applications Technology Satel-
lite 6 (hTS-6). The ATS-6 system, including the power amplifier and high
gain antenna in the service module, perfot 'd very well. Continuous cov-
erage for approximately 50 minutes during ;G~h revolution was provided
except for an occasional loss of signal because of spacecraft maneuver-
ing past the anter.,a direct ~~ na1 limits.
During the joint activi tie s , two sources of external interf rence
were encountered. The VHF/~l receiver frequency of 121.75 ~lz is in the
aircra ft f r quency band and re ceiv d intermittent transmissions from the
g round. Th spacecraft wa config ured to relay the FM nigna1s onto the
S-band; therefore, these w re heard on the downlink. During each pass
ov r the U.S.S .R., periodi c clicks occurred in both the voice and vid eo
signals . Th most probable c ' use was inte r ference i rom a ground radar.
12
Instrumentation
The displays and controls system performed normally during the mis-
sion except for one minor problem. At approximately 154 hours g.e.t ••
the crew reported a degradation ~n ~ he caution and warning tone volume
as heaed in the headsets but there was no apparent degradation in the
speaker box tone level.
To eliminate the nuisance which was created each t :'.me the alarm cir-
cuitry falsely t ciggered the MASTER ALARM and disturbed the crew, a bit
was set in the sys t em computer which prevented t~iggering for an ICDU
FAIL L'1dication.
Sho rtly be fore jettisoning of the docking module, wl ~en the crew was
us ing the orbit rate display, they reported an intermit t ~n t dif ficulty
when attempting to use the displ y with f light direct or .ltt itude indi-
cator 1. The crew was advised no t to t ake the time to dl ~ t ermine the
so urc e of the problem and to ignore the display for the remai nd er of t he
mission.
,
13
The service propulsion system was used nine times for a total dura-
tion of 17 seconds. The first firing wae for the Apollo cir~ularization
maneuver; the next five uses of the system were maneuvers fo' the Apollo
Soyuz rendezvous. After separation from Soyuz, two maneuvers were per-
formed to position the command and service module behind the docking mod-
ule for the doppler tracking experiment (HA-089). The final US~ of the
system was for deorbit of the command and service module. Approximately
500 kilograms of propellant were used by the service propulsion system
during the mission. System performance was normal.
The three Apollo fuel cells performed norma:ly throughout the mission.
Prior to lift-off, the fuel cells were configured with fuel cells 1 and 2
powering bus A and fuel cell 3 powering bus B. This configuration ~as
maintained throughout the mission. From lift-off to command module/ser-
vice module separation, the fuel cells provided 18 907 ampere-hours of
energy at an average bus voltage of 28.5 volts.
14
The fuel cells consumed 22.1 kilograms of hydrogen during the mission,
and 0.84 kilogram remained in each of the two tanks at commr.nd module/ser-
vice module separation. The hydrogen storage system perfonoance was nor-
mal throughout the mission.
Batteries
The performance of the entry and postlanding batteries and the pyro-
technic batteries was normal.
System operation during entry was normal except that the primary evap-
orator was not activated.
Prior to docking module jettison, the crew used the remaining dock-
ing module oxygen to raise the cabin oxygen partial pressure so that ni-
trogen boiloff from the electrophoresis experiment would not reduce the
oxygen partial pressure to an unacceptable level. At the completion of
the procedure, the oxygen partial pressure was 230 mm Hg and the total
pressure was 282 mm Hg.
Suits
The suits for this mission were similar in configuration to the Com-
mand Module Pilots' suits used in the Apollo 15 through 17 missions wi t h
th ~ exception of extravehicular activity provisions. In addition, a Ty-
gon tube insert was incorporated in the crotch area be tween the pressur e
sealing and restrai nt entry closures (z i ppers) of the suits to prevent
16
recurrence of the low pressure leakage problem encountered with the Com-
mand Module Pilot's suit during the countdown demonstration test. (See
Environmental Control System section.)
Crew Provisions
The crew provisions for this mission were similar to those used in
previous Apollo and Skylab missions and were satisfactory.
Stowage
The cosmonauts forgot their four data acquisition camera film maga-
zines upon departing from the docking module. The magazires were stowed
in the command module for return.
At the end of the first day's joint activities in the Soyuz space-
craft, the Apollo Commander and Docking Module Pilot began their return
to the command module. Following the depressurization of tunnel 2, the
cosmonauts reported that their integrity check of the orbital module/
docking module hatches 3 and 4 had failed and one of the two hatches ap-
peared to be leaking into the tunnel at a rate of I 1IDD Hg/min. The
tunnel was repressurized by the Apollo crew, hatches 3 and 4 were re-
opened, and their respective seals checked. A second integrity check
subsequently failed. A decision was made to have the Apollo crew con-
tinue docking module depressurization procedures enroute to the commanJ
module in the belief that the apparent hatch leakage was actually thermal
instability in the tunneJ. following its rapid depressurization. Further
checks on the tunnel by the Soyuz crew during the ensuing sleep period
convinced both sides that there was no problem and the Soyuz integrity
check go/no-go tolerances were biased to reflect the thermal condition.
The second day's crew transfer activities were begun on time with
the Command Module Pilot transferring into Soyuz and the Soyuz Commander
transferring into the c0mmand module. Milestones accomplished in Soyuz
during the second joint activity period included an orbital module and
descent vehicle television tour conducted by the Flight Engineer. t he
Command Module Pilot's signing of the joint flight certific~tes, the
joicLng of a commemorative plaque, an exercise period for the Command
Module Pilot using Soyuz equipment, a visual tour of the USSR conducted
18
F llowing the third crew transfer - with the Soyuz Commander and
Apollo Commander in the Soyuz spacec~aft and the Docking ~bdule Pilot •
.~nd Module Pilot and Flight Engineer in the Apollo spacecraft - the
milestones accomplished in Soyuz included a joint press conference. mi-
crobial exchange experiment sampling, presentation of tree seeds as a
symbolic gift to the Soviet people, joining of two Apollo Soyuz Test
Project medallion halves, and planned television and photographic oper-
ations of these activities. Simultaneously in Apollo, a joint press con-
ference, microbial exchange experiment sampling, presentation of tree
seeds as a symbolic gift to the American people, joining of two Apollo
Soyuz Test Project medallioll halves and a television tour of Florida
were accomplished along with earth observations and planned television
photographic operations of these activities. The fourth transfer re-
turned all crewmembers to their own spacecraft on schedule.
EXPERIMENTS
SPACE SCIENCES
Soft X-Ray
The X-ray experiment was next operated during the raster scan for
the ext'ceme ultraviolet survey experiment (MA-083). The count rates
again went full scale and a gas purge was scheduled in anticipation of
a possible instrument problem. Afte r purging, the instrum:~nt was oper-
ated on the sixth day of flight and 25 minutes of good data were obtained
before the problem reappeared. On day 7, a test was performed in which
the instrument was operated with the high voltage on for 2 minutes and
then off for 2 minutes. The instrument operated properly for approxi-
mate ly 3 minutes out of t he 5 m.inutes during which the high voltage was
on. The experim ~ nt operation procedure for day 8 was rev.ised to incor-
porate the 2-minute-on mode of operation and at least 30 more minutes
of good data were obtained.
20
The detector was allowed to pump down to vacuum and was activated
while evacuated prior to entry. The detector count rates showed no evi-
dence of discharge for an operational period of approximately 25 minutes.
This would imply that the source of the problem was the detector. The
high voltage was subsequently turned off, the detector was filled to 11
newtons/sq cm, and the high voltage was turned back on. Two minutes later,
the discharge problem reappear.ad.
Ultraviolet Absorption
The calibrEtion of the crew optical alignment sight and the star
tracker on the star Vega was carried out successfully. However, the pilot
indicated that the star tracker field-of-view was wider than expected.
Subsequent tests on the ryackup star tracker indicated that this was due
to a modification made when the star tracker linearity was adjusted.
The most significant achievement of the observing program was the de-
tection of an intense extreme ultraviolet source on day 8. This is the
first known detection of a cosmic source of extreme ultraviolet radiation.
The object appeared very strongly in the parylene and beryllium filters.
Helium Glow
Doppler Tracking
Geodynamics
The artificial solar eclipse experiment (MA-148) was perfo rmed imm -
diately after the first undocking from the Soyuz. The maneuver was view-
able on television, but the bloom over the image from the sunli portions
of the Soyuz precluded assessment of the shadow conditions on the orbital
module hatch window. The shadow conditions and the corona detection will
be assessed respectively from Apollo p!otographs and Soviet photographs .
Crystal Activation
LIFE SCIENCES
Microbial Exchange
Light Flash
Biostack
The active bios tack module for the bios tack experiment (MA-I07) col-
I ted high-energy particle data for 13 hours and 20 minutes prior to
i itial docking. Subsequent to fLnal undocking, the module was powered
on for a second time and acquired 22 hours and 25 minutes of data. Both
t h ac tive and passive biost~ ; k modules were returned in the command mod-
ule and have be n deH.,·ered to the principal investigator for analysis.
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TECHNOLOGY
Multipurpose Furnace
Electrophoresis Technology
Electrophoresis - German
Crystal Growth
INFLIGHT DEMONSTRATIONS
BIOMEDICAL
The crew was exposed to toxic gases (mostly nitrogen tetroxide) from
unplanned reaction control system firings during the landing phase. The
nitrogen tetroxide gas entered the command module through the cabin pres-
sure relief valve which was open during the landing sequence. (See the
Sequencing and Electrical Power Distribution section for detailed discus-
sion of this problem.)
The initial reaction of all crewmembcrs was c0~6hing and eye irrita-
tion. Of the three crewmen, the Command Module Pilot probably received
the largest dose because of hi.; proximity to the cabin pressure relief
valve. This contributed to his unconsciousness While stable II, al-
lhough the feet-lower-than-the-head position reduces orthostatic toler-
ance and favors fainting.
Until the tice of exposure to the toxic gases, the health of the
Apollo crew was good and all physiological pa~ameters obtained from the
crew were within the expected range.
FL IGHT CONTROL
Docking module checkout l:equired more time than planned. and the crew
was 1-1/2 hours behind at lunch on the second day. To recover lost time,
several activities were deleted. These jncluded the first visual observa-
tions pass, the extreme ultraviolet survey (MA-083) raster scan, and the
visual observations portion of the second earth oljservations experiment
period. All other planned activities for the second day were accomplished.
NETWORK
RECOVERY
The command module went to the stable II attitude after landing and
was righted in 4 minutes and 24 seconds by the " prighting system. The
Apollo crew opened the hatc'} after flota~ion collar installation to get
more fresh air into the cabin. The crew remaine~ in the command module
while it was hoisted aboard the ship and they were on the ship about 41
minutes after landing. All three main parachutes and the forward heat
shield (apex cover) w~re recovered.
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Objectives/Investigations
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Achievement status
Primary Objectives:
Supplementary Objectives:
Experiments:
Detailed Objectives:
Inflight Demonstrations:
NASA-JSC