First International Space Docking Certificate

Collection — Box: Assorted rare collections, Box 1, Folder: 2011-06-06 folder 1

Identifier: 2011-06-06-1

Content Description

This collection consists of a single item, the "First International Space Docking Certificate," also known as the Space Magna Carta. The document, which is in both English and Russian and is dated July 17, 1975, commemorates the first international crewed space mission when an American Apollo module docked with a Soviet Soyuz capsule. This official government document was signed in space by the two entire crews, including Thomas P. Stafford, D. K. Slayton, Vance Brand, Alexei Leonov, and Valerie Kubasov.

The text on the document reads: "First International Space Docking Certificate. This is to certify that at 12 hours 09 minutes Washington time and 19 hours and 09 minutes Moscow time, on July 17, 1975, flight crews of the United States of America and the Soviet Socialist Republic successfully docked their Apollo and Soyuz spacecraft in Earth orbit. They share the hope that this first international manned space flight will stand in the light of history as a significant advance in the ability of their nations to work together in ways that advance the interests of people everywhere."

Dates

Creation: 1975 July 17

Language of Materials

This item is in both English and Russian.

Conditions Governing Access

This item is very fragile and may not be handled by researchers. A digitized version is available. For more information contact us.

Conditions Governing Use

The Museum of Flight (TMOF) Archives is the owner of the physical materials in the archives and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. Written permission must be obtained from TMOF archives before any publication use. TMOF does not necessarily hold copyright to all of the materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from copyright owners. Consult repository for more details.

Historical Note: Apollo Soyuz Test Project

The Apollo Soyuz Test Project was the first international partnership in space, which preceded the International Space Station and the Shuttle-Mir series of missions. On July 15, 1975, an American Apollo spacecraft launched carrying a crew of three and docked two days later on July 17, with a Soviet Soyuz spacecraft and its crew of two. The American crew included Commander Thomas P. Stafford, Command Module Pilot Vance Brand, and Docking Module Pilot Deke Slayton. The Soviet crew indcluded Commander Alexei Leonov and Flight Enginer Valeri Kubasov.

The United States launched an Apollo command and service module on a Saturn IB rocket. The Apollo spacecraft, while nearly identical to the type that orbited the moon and later carried astronauts to Skylab, was modified to provide for experiments, extra propellant tanks and the addition of controls and equipment related to the docking module. The Soyuz spacecraft docking module was designed and constructed by NASA to serve as an airlock and transfer corridor between the two craft.

The nine-day mission was designed to test the compatibility of rendezvous and docking systems and the possibility of an international space rescue. The crews had about two days' worth of joint activities, including conducting live joint experiments and exchanging commemorative items.

Source:

NASA