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The Apollo-Soyuz mission was the first international crewed spaceflight, jointly conducted by the United States and the Soviet Union in July 1975.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Apollo-Soyuz mission, conducted in July 1975, holds the distinction of being the first international crewed spaceflight, a collaborative effort between the United States and the Soviet Union.
The United States officially referred to the joint mission as the 'Experimental flight "Soyuz"–"Apollo"'.
Answer: False
Explanation: The United States officially designated the mission as the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project (ASTP), while the Soviet Union used the term 'Experimental flight "Soyuz"–"Apollo"'.
The Apollo-Soyuz mission was the last crewed U.S. spaceflight in a traditional space capsule until the first Space Shuttle launch in 1981.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Apollo-Soyuz mission was the last crewed U.S. spaceflight in a traditional space capsule until the Crew Dragon Demo-2 mission on May 30, 2020, not just until the Space Shuttle launch in 1981.
The mission was primarily catalyzed by the policy of détente, a period of eased geopolitical tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Apollo-Soyuz mission was fundamentally driven by the policy of détente, a period characterized by a reduction in geopolitical tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War.
The Apollo-Soyuz Test Project was the first Soviet space mission to be televised live during its launch, in space, and during landing.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Apollo-Soyuz Test Project marked a significant shift in Soviet policy, as it was the first Soviet space mission to be televised live throughout its launch, in-orbit operations, and landing phases.
What was the primary significance of the Apollo-Soyuz mission?
Answer: It was the first international crewed spaceflight, jointly conducted by the United States and the Soviet Union.
Explanation: The Apollo-Soyuz mission holds primary significance as the inaugural international crewed spaceflight, a collaborative undertaking between the United States and the Soviet Union in July 1975.
How did the United States officially refer to the joint space mission?
Answer: The Apollo-Soyuz Test Project (ASTP)
Explanation: The United States officially designated the joint space mission as the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project (ASTP).
What was the historical significance of Apollo-Soyuz for U.S. crewed spaceflight regarding traditional space capsules?
Answer: It was the last crewed U.S. spaceflight conducted in a traditional space capsule until the Crew Dragon Demo-2 mission on May 30, 2020.
Explanation: The Apollo-Soyuz mission marked the final crewed U.S. spaceflight in a traditional space capsule until the Crew Dragon Demo-2 mission on May 30, 2020.
What political climate served as the primary catalyst for the Apollo-Soyuz mission?
Answer: The policy of détente, a period of eased geopolitical tensions.
Explanation: The mission was fundamentally catalyzed by the policy of détente, a phase characterized by reduced geopolitical tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union amidst the Cold War.
Prior to the Apollo-Soyuz mission, the Soviet press generally offered positive coverage of American Apollo space missions.
Answer: False
Explanation: Before the Apollo-Soyuz mission, the Soviet press was generally critical of American Apollo space missions, sometimes overlaying political statements on launch photographs.
The 1962 Dryden–Blagonravov agreement outlined cooperation on weather satellite data exchange, Earth's magnetic field studies, and joint tracking of the Echo II balloon satellite.
Answer: True
Explanation: The 1962 Dryden–Blagonravov agreement, a result of early U.S.-Soviet discussions, indeed established cooperation in areas such as weather satellite data exchange, geomagnetic field studies, and joint tracking of the Echo II balloon satellite.
President John F. Kennedy proposed a joint crewed mission to Mars to Premier Nikita Khrushchev.
Answer: False
Explanation: President John F. Kennedy proposed a joint crewed mission to the Moon to Premier Nikita Khrushchev, not Mars.
U.S.-Soviet space cooperation talks declined after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and Premier Nikita Khrushchev's removal from office.
Answer: True
Explanation: Following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and Premier Nikita Khrushchev's removal from office, the competitive aspects of the space programs intensified, leading to a decline in U.S.-Soviet cooperation talks.
The end of the Vietnam War led to a deterioration of relations between the United States and the USSR, hindering cooperative space missions.
Answer: False
Explanation: The conclusion of the Vietnam War actually led to an improvement in relations between the United States and the USSR, thereby enhancing the prospects for cooperative space missions like Apollo-Soyuz.
Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev regarded the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project primarily as a scientific competition rather than a political act of peace.
Answer: False
Explanation: Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev viewed the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project as a political act of peace, emphasizing its role in fostering peaceful coexistence rather than scientific competition.
NASA was concerned that American astronauts publicly praising the Soyuz spacecraft would offend the Soviets.
Answer: False
Explanation: NASA was concerned that American astronauts publicly *criticizing* the Soyuz spacecraft would offend the Soviets and potentially jeopardize the mission, not praising it.
The 'Agreement Concerning Cooperation in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space for Peaceful Purposes' formally committed the U.S. and USSR to the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project in 1975.
Answer: True
Explanation: The 'Agreement Concerning Cooperation in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space for Peaceful Purposes,' signed in April 1972, formally committed both the United States and the USSR to the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project, scheduled for 1975.
What significant proposal did President Kennedy make to Premier Khrushchev regarding space exploration?
Answer: A joint crewed mission to the Moon.
Explanation: President John F. Kennedy proposed the concept of a joint crewed mission to the Moon to Premier Nikita Khrushchev.
What significant space achievement did the USSR make in 1971, several months after Apollo 14?
Answer: Launched Salyut 1, the first piloted orbital space station.
Explanation: In 1971, several months after Apollo 14, the USSR launched Salyut 1, which was the first piloted orbital space station.
How did Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev view the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project?
Answer: As a political act of peace.
Explanation: Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev interpreted the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project as a political gesture of peace, emphasizing its role in fostering global harmony.
Why was NASA concerned about American astronauts expressing dissatisfaction with the Soyuz spacecraft to the press?
Answer: It feared public criticism would offend the Soviets and potentially cancel the mission.
Explanation: NASA was apprehensive that public criticism from American astronauts regarding the Soyuz spacecraft could be perceived as an affront by the Soviets, potentially leading to the cancellation of the Apollo-Soyuz mission.
What formal agreement solidified the commitment of the U.S. and USSR to the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project?
Answer: The "Agreement Concerning Cooperation in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space for Peaceful Purposes."
Explanation: The 'Agreement Concerning Cooperation in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space for Peaceful Purposes,' signed in April 1972, formally committed both the United States and the USSR to the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project.
The Apollo spacecraft used for the Apollo-Soyuz mission was a newly designed module specifically built for the joint endeavor.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Apollo spacecraft deployed for the Apollo-Soyuz mission was a surplus module from the canceled Apollo missions program, not a newly designed one.
American engineers like Christopher C. Kraft criticized the Soyuz spacecraft for its extensive reliance on ground control and lack of redundant components.
Answer: True
Explanation: American engineers, including Christopher C. Kraft, indeed criticized the Soyuz spacecraft for its heavy dependence on ground control and perceived lack of redundant systems, contrasting it with Apollo's design for extensive human piloting.
The Androgynous Peripheral Attach System (APAS) was designed by Soviet engineers to ensure compatibility between the two spacecraft.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Androgynous Peripheral Attach System (APAS) was designed by American engineer Bill Creasy, as a key outcome of joint U.S.-Soviet engineering meetings.
The Soyuz spacecraft used for the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project was a modified version designed to operate at a reduced nitrogen/oxygen pressure during docking.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Soyuz 7K-TM spacecraft used for ASTP was indeed modified to operate at a reduced nitrogen/oxygen pressure of 10.2 psi (70 kPa) during docking, facilitating easier crew transfers.
The American Apollo spacecraft system for ASTP included a newly manufactured command and service module and a specially designed docking module.
Answer: False
Explanation: The American Apollo spacecraft system for ASTP utilized a surplus Apollo Command and Service Module (CSM) from previous programs, not a newly manufactured one, along with a specially designed docking module.
The docking module primarily served as a propulsion unit for the Apollo spacecraft during the mission.
Answer: False
Explanation: The docking module's primary functions were to act as an airlock to accommodate pressure differences and as an adapter for the APAS docking collar, not as a propulsion unit.
The APAS-89 docking collar used on the Mir space station was mechanically identical and fully compatible with the original APAS system from Apollo-Soyuz.
Answer: False
Explanation: The APAS-89 docking collar, while a derivative, was mechanically incompatible with the original APAS system from Apollo-Soyuz, although it was later adapted for use with the Shuttle–Mir program.
What was the origin of the Apollo spacecraft used in the Apollo-Soyuz mission?
Answer: It was a surplus module from the canceled Apollo missions program.
Explanation: The Apollo spacecraft deployed for the Apollo-Soyuz mission was a surplus module, repurposed from the canceled Apollo missions program.
According to the source, how many ASTP-class Soyuz spacecraft were built in total?
Answer: Six
Explanation: A total of six ASTP-class Soyuz spacecraft were manufactured, with various uses including uncrewed launches, a rehearsal flight, and backup roles.
Which of the following was a utilization of one of the ASTP-class Soyuz spacecraft?
Answer: It was used for the crewed Soyuz 16 rehearsal flight to test the APAS docking mechanism.
Explanation: One of the ASTP-class Soyuz spacecraft was specifically deployed for the crewed Soyuz 16 rehearsal flight to validate the APAS docking mechanism.
What unique procedure was required to deploy the docking module for the Apollo spacecraft?
Answer: It had to be retrieved from the S-IVB upper-stage of the Saturn IB rocket after launch.
Explanation: Similar to the Apollo Lunar Module, the docking module for the Apollo spacecraft necessitated retrieval from the S-IVB upper-stage of the Saturn IB rocket post-launch, a maneuver termed transposition, docking, and extraction.
What is the enduring legacy of the APAS docking system in modern spaceflight?
Answer: Its derivatives are used by the American Space Shuttle to dock with Mir and the International Space Station via Pressurized Mating Adapters.
Explanation: The APAS docking system's legacy persists in contemporary spaceflight, with its derivatives being utilized by the American Space Shuttle to dock with Mir and the International Space Station via Pressurized Mating Adapters.
What was the primary function of the docking module in accommodating pressure differences between the Apollo and Soyuz spacecraft?
Answer: It acted as an airlock, accommodating Apollo's pure oxygen atmosphere and Soyuz's nitrogen/oxygen atmosphere.
Explanation: The docking module's primary function was to serve as an airlock, managing the pressure differential between Apollo's pure oxygen atmosphere and Soyuz's nitrogen/oxygen atmosphere, thereby facilitating safe crew transfers.
What was a key modification made to the Soyuz 7K-TM spacecraft used for ASTP?
Answer: Its batteries were replaced with solar panels for 'solo' flights.
Explanation: A key modification to the Soyuz 7K-TM spacecraft for ASTP involved replacing its batteries with solar panels, primarily for 'solo' flights, enhancing its endurance.
During the mission, the Soyuz spacecraft created an artificial solar eclipse, allowing Apollo instruments to photograph the solar corona.
Answer: False
Explanation: It was the Apollo spacecraft that created an artificial solar eclipse, enabling Soyuz instruments to photograph the solar corona.
The Apollo and Soyuz spacecraft launched on the same day, July 17, 1975, and docked shortly thereafter.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Soyuz and Apollo spacecraft launched on July 15, 1975, within seven and a half hours of each other, and docked two days later on July 17, 1975.
The historic 'handshake in space' between Thomas Stafford and Alexei Leonov occurred over the British seaside resort of Bognor Regis as initially calculated.
Answer: False
Explanation: Although initially calculated to occur over Bognor Regis, a delay caused the historic 'handshake in space' between Thomas Stafford and Alexei Leonov to take place over the city of Metz in France.
During the first crew exchange after docking, the astronauts and cosmonauts received a phone call from U.S. President Gerald Ford.
Answer: True
Explanation: During the initial crew exchange following docking, the astronauts and cosmonauts indeed received a telephone call from U.S. President Gerald Ford, in addition to a statement from Soviet General Secretary Leonid Brezhnev.
The Apollo-Soyuz mission involved only a single, permanent docking event between the two spacecraft.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Apollo-Soyuz mission included both an initial docking and a subsequent re-docking maneuver, during which the spacecraft reversed roles, before their permanent separation.
The Apollo and Soyuz spacecraft remained docked for a total duration of approximately three days.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Apollo and Soyuz spacecraft remained docked for a total duration of 1 day, 23 hours, 7 minutes, and 3 seconds, which is less than three full days.
What notable joint activity did the Apollo spacecraft perform for the Soyuz crew during the mission?
Answer: It created an artificial solar eclipse, allowing Soyuz instruments to photograph the solar corona.
Explanation: A notable joint activity involved the Apollo spacecraft generating an artificial solar eclipse, which enabled Soyuz instruments to photograph the solar corona.
Where did the historic 'handshake in space' between Thomas Stafford and Alexei Leonov actually take place?
Answer: Over the city of Metz in France.
Explanation: Due to a delay, the historic 'handshake in space' between Thomas Stafford and Alexei Leonov actually occurred over the city of Metz in France, rather than the initially calculated location over Bognor Regis.
Which of the following was NOT an activity the Apollo-Soyuz crews engaged in while docked?
Answer: Conducting a joint spacewalk outside the docked vehicles.
Explanation: While docked, the crews engaged in various cultural and interpersonal activities, but a joint spacewalk outside the docked vehicles was not among them.
What specific scientific experiment did American embryologist Jane Oppenheimer contribute to the Apollo-Soyuz mission?
Answer: Analyzing the effects of weightlessness on fish eggs at various stages of development.
Explanation: Embryologist Jane Oppenheimer's contribution to the mission involved analyzing the effects of microgravity on fish eggs at different developmental stages.
What was one of the activities performed by the Apollo spacecraft after its initial separation from Soyuz?
Answer: It maneuvered to create an artificial solar eclipse for Soyuz observations.
Explanation: After their initial separation, the Apollo spacecraft executed a maneuver to generate an artificial solar eclipse, facilitating the Soyuz crew's photographic documentation of the solar corona.
What type of celestial objects did the Apollo spacecraft's SAG telescope discover?
Answer: Two white dwarfs, HZ 43 and FEIGE 24.
Explanation: The Apollo spacecraft's Soft X-ray Astronomy Group (SAG) telescope led to the discovery of two white dwarfs, HZ 43 and FEIGE 24.
What was the total duration that the Apollo and Soyuz spacecraft remained docked together?
Answer: 1 day, 23 hours, 7 minutes, and 3 seconds.
Explanation: The Apollo and Soyuz spacecraft maintained a docked configuration for a cumulative period of 1 day, 23 hours, 7 minutes, and 3 seconds.
Deke Slayton's participation in the Apollo-Soyuz mission marked his only spaceflight, making him the oldest person to fly in space at that time.
Answer: True
Explanation: Deke Slayton, an original Mercury Seven astronaut, made his sole spaceflight during Apollo-Soyuz, becoming the oldest person to fly in space at that time after being grounded for years due to a medical condition.
Alexei Leonov achieved historical significance by becoming the first person to walk in space during the Voskhod 2 mission in March 1965, prior to Apollo-Soyuz.
Answer: True
Explanation: Alexei Leonov is historically recognized for being the first person to perform a spacewalk, an achievement accomplished during the Voskhod 2 mission in March 1965, well before Apollo-Soyuz.
The backup commander for the Soviet Soyuz mission was Valery Kubasov.
Answer: False
Explanation: The backup commander for the Soviet Soyuz mission was Anatoly Filipchenko, while Valery Kubasov was the flight engineer for the prime crew.
Which American crew member made his only spaceflight during the Apollo-Soyuz mission?
Answer: Deke Slayton
Explanation: Deke Slayton, an original Mercury Seven astronaut, made his sole spaceflight during the Apollo-Soyuz mission, after being medically grounded for many years.
What unique circumstance surrounded Deke Slayton's participation in the Apollo-Soyuz mission?
Answer: He was an original Mercury Seven astronaut who had been grounded for years due to an irregular heartbeat.
Explanation: Deke Slayton, an original Mercury Seven astronaut, had been medically grounded until 1972 due to an irregular heartbeat, making his participation in Apollo-Soyuz a unique and long-awaited first flight.
Which of the following individuals was NOT listed as a flight director for the American Apollo mission?
Answer: Karol J. Bobko
Explanation: Karol J. Bobko was listed as a member of the support crew for the American Apollo mission, not as a flight director.
What notable incident affected Valery Kubasov's earlier missions?
Answer: He was grounded from Soyuz 11 due to suspected tuberculosis.
Explanation: Valery Kubasov was grounded from the Soyuz 11 mission in 1971 due to a suspicion of tuberculosis, which prevented him and Alexei Leonov from flying that mission.
What was Thomas P. Stafford's military rank during the Apollo-Soyuz mission?
Answer: Brigadier general
Explanation: During the Apollo-Soyuz mission, Thomas P. Stafford held the rank of brigadier general in the United States Air Force.
Vance Brand's closest prior experience to spaceflight before Apollo-Soyuz was as commander for which mission?
Answer: Skylab Rescue mission.
Explanation: Vance Brand's closest pre-mission spaceflight experience was as commander for the Skylab Rescue mission, which was prepared for the contingency retrieval of the Skylab 3 crew.
The Apollo-Soyuz mission provided valuable experience that laid the groundwork for future joint American-Russian spaceflights, including the International Space Station.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Apollo-Soyuz mission's preparations and execution provided crucial experience, establishing a foundation for subsequent joint American-Russian space endeavors, such as the Shuttle–Mir program and the International Space Station.
All public reactions to the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project were positive, with no significant criticisms reported in either the U.S. or the USSR.
Answer: False
Explanation: Public reactions to the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project were not universally positive; some Americans feared it would grant undue credit to the USSR, while some Soviet publicists criticized American detractors.
During the Apollo spacecraft's re-entry, the crew was accidentally exposed to toxic fumes from unignited reaction control system propellants.
Answer: True
Explanation: During the Apollo spacecraft's re-entry and splashdown, the crew was indeed accidentally exposed to toxic monomethylhydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide fumes due to unignited reaction control system propellants venting into the cabin.
The Apollo-Soyuz Test Project marked the final flight of an Apollo spacecraft, concluding an era of American space exploration.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Apollo-Soyuz Test Project represented the terminal flight of an Apollo spacecraft, thereby concluding an epoch of American space exploration initiated by Project Apollo.
Both the United States and Soviet Union news reports consistently highlighted the other nation's technical prowess during the Apollo-Soyuz mission.
Answer: False
Explanation: News reports from both the United States and the Soviet Union tended to downplay the other nation's technical prowess, with each emphasizing its own achievements and sometimes criticizing the other's technology.
American commander Thomas Stafford and Soviet commander Alexei Leonov developed a lasting friendship, with Leonov becoming the godfather to Stafford's younger children.
Answer: True
Explanation: American commander Thomas Stafford and Soviet commander Alexei Leonov indeed formed an enduring friendship, with Leonov becoming the godfather to Stafford's younger children, a bond highlighted by Stafford's eulogy at Leonov's funeral.
The Apollo command module from the mission is currently on display at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Apollo command module from the mission is on display at the California Science Center in Los Angeles. A combined Apollo/Soyuz display, featuring an unflown Apollo CSM, is at the National Air and Space Museum.
The mission control room in Korolyov, Russia, which hosted the American team during the Apollo-Soyuz mission, was preserved as a memorial.
Answer: True
Explanation: The mission control room in Korolyov, Russia, where the American team was hosted during the Apollo-Soyuz mission, was indeed preserved as a memorial, acknowledging its historical significance for the joint space endeavor.
The United States spent approximately US$1.43 billion on the Apollo-Soyuz project, adjusted for today's currency.
Answer: True
Explanation: The United States spent approximately US$245 million on the Apollo-Soyuz project and spacecraft, which is equivalent to $1,430,000,000 (or $1.43 billion) in today's currency.
How did the Apollo-Soyuz mission contribute to future international space endeavors?
Answer: It provided valuable experience that laid the groundwork for subsequent joint American-Russian spaceflights, including the Shuttle–Mir program and the development of the International Space Station.
Explanation: The Apollo-Soyuz mission provided invaluable experience that established a foundational framework for subsequent joint American-Russian spaceflights, including the Shuttle–Mir program and the International Space Station.
Who took responsibility for the Apollo re-entry mishap, and what was the attributed cause?
Answer: Vance Brand, attributing it to high noise levels preventing him from hearing a critical call.
Explanation: Vance Brand accepted responsibility for the re-entry mishap, attributing it to elevated noise levels within the cabin that he believed obscured a critical instruction from Thomas Stafford.
What changes were made to Kennedy Space Center facilities immediately following the launch of the Apollo spacecraft for ASTP?
Answer: Preparations began to convert Launch Complex 39B and the Vehicle Assembly Building for the Space Shuttle program.
Explanation: Immediately following the launch of the Apollo spacecraft for ASTP, efforts began to reconfigure Launch Complex 39B and the Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center for the nascent Space Shuttle program.
What was the trajectory of high-profile space cooperation between the U.S. and the Soviet Union immediately following Apollo-Soyuz?
Answer: It declined and became intertwined with linkage politics.
Explanation: Subsequent to the successful Apollo-Soyuz mission, high-profile space cooperation between the U.S. and the Soviet Union diminished, becoming enmeshed with linkage politics, a foreign policy strategy.
How was the Apollo-Soyuz mission commemorated in the field of astronomy?
Answer: An asteroid, 2228 Soyuz-Apollo, was named after the mission.
Explanation: An asteroid, 2228 Soyuz-Apollo, discovered in 1977 by Soviet astronomer Nikolai Chernykh, was named in honor of the mission, commemorating this historic joint spaceflight.
Approximately how much did the United States spend on the Apollo-Soyuz project and spacecraft?
Answer: US$245 million
Explanation: The United States allocated approximately US$245 million to the Apollo-Soyuz project and spacecraft.
Where is the Apollo command module from the Apollo-Soyuz mission currently on display?
Answer: California Science Center in Los Angeles.
Explanation: The Apollo command module from the Apollo-Soyuz mission is currently exhibited at the California Science Center in Los Angeles.
How did the United States officially commemorate the Apollo-Soyuz mission on the day of its launch?
Answer: By issuing Apollo-Soyuz commemorative stamps.
Explanation: The United States Postal Service commemorated the Apollo-Soyuz mission by issuing Apollo-Soyuz commemorative stamps on July 15, 1975, coinciding with the mission's launch date.
What happened to the Soyuz-Apollo monument outside the RKA Mission Control Center in Moscow in the late 1990s?
Answer: It was damaged by a vehicle collision and removed for repairs.
Explanation: The Soyuz-Apollo monument outside the RKA Mission Control Center in Moscow was damaged in the late 1990s due to a vehicle collision and subsequently removed for restoration.
What part of the Soviet mission control facilities was preserved as a memorial to the Apollo-Soyuz mission?
Answer: The mission control room in Korolyov, Russia, which hosted the American team.
Explanation: The mission control room in Korolyov, Russia, which accommodated the American team during the Apollo-Soyuz mission, was meticulously preserved as a memorial to this joint space endeavor.
What was one of the negative reactions reported in the U.S. regarding the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project?
Answer: Fear that it would grant the USSR undue credit in space.
Explanation: Many Americans expressed apprehension that the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project would confer undue credit upon the USSR in space, thereby equating their capabilities with NASA's advanced endeavors.