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APOLLO–SOYUZ · CHAPTER 1 OF 4 · 15. července 1975
Two launches in one day
The mission began on 15 July 1975 with two launches on two continents. At 12:20 UTC the Soviet Soyuz 19 lifted off from Baikonur with Alexei Leonov and Valeri Kubasov. Seven and a half hours later, at 19:50 UTC, the American Apollo rose from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida atop a Saturn IB rocket, carrying Stafford, Brand and Slayton.
The Soviet side launched first by design: Soyuz was to have a stable orbit ready before Apollo began its approach. The American craft additionally carried a docking module — a short cylinder that served as a transfer airlock between the two very different ships.
◉ REÁLNÉ FOTOStart amerického Apolla na nosiči Saturn IB z Kennedyho střediska, 15. července 1975.KEY CHAPTER DATA
Start Sojuzu 1915. 7. 1975, 12:20 UTC
Start Apolla15. 7. 1975, 19:50 UTC
Nosič (USA)Saturn IB
sources: NASA — The Apollo-Soyuz Mission · NASA NSSDCA — Apollo-Soyuz Test Project · Spaceline — ASTP Mission Fact Sheet — full list on Apollo–Soyuz