Friday, October 6, 2017

The Cosmosphere: the end (or lucky part 13)


In case you missed any of the previous posts, feel free to follow the links to part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5, part 6, part 7, part 8, part 9, part 10, part 11, and part 12.  Each link opens in a new window.

It was late in the day, we were tired (my friend Scott and I), and the rest of the people who came with us had already left what seemed like hours ago.  I had one final thing I wanted to see before we left.

It was the Apollo-Soyuz test project link up.  Thankfully, as you can see, we were right next to the museum exit, so all I wanted was a few photos and we could leave.

In the drawing above, the Soyuz is on the left and the Apollo is on the right.

Even though there is no glass to encumber the view of the Apollo-Soyuz test project, also called ASTP, this display is exceptionally difficult to photograph.  As you can see, the entire unit is in a relatively narrow hallway which is dimly lit.  The ASTP, however, is lit by very bright and hot spot lights.  Even though I backed up as far as I could, I was unable to get the entire display in the photo.

Add to that, an incredibly distracting support beam was placed directly in the middle of the docking module.

In July, 1975, the two super powers of space exploration came together for a brief encounter and a symbol of détente.

Before the joint link up, Apollo allowed Soyuz to take photographs of the solar corona, or eclipse surrounding their ship, which provided useful information for future joint U.S. and Russian space flights, such as the International Space Station.




This support beam caused me to be unable to get a good photo of the docking station, the area the American astronauts walked crawled through to reach the Russian craft.




You can see how incredibly narrow and dark this area is.  I lightened it as best I could in PhotoShop.

But now it was definitely time to leave.

As Scott and I walked to the parking lot, I stopped long enough to take a photo of this old car.

Here are a couple of photos I took on the way home. 

The rest were most unimpressive.

Thank you for tagging along with me through these past 13 Cosmosphere posts.  I appreciate you joining me while I recalled the events and shared the photos I took that day way back in April.  And to think, it only took me six months to get all these photos onto my blog!

13 thoughtful remarks:

Valerie-Jael said...

Lovely photos. I can't imagine flying - or even wanting to fly - in one of those contraptions! Glad you had an enjoyable da there, and by the way, what's six months in comparison to the eternity of time and space? Have a fun day, hugs, Valerie

Helen said...

the spacecraft looks so small... most uncomfortable! well done for finishing your trip to the Cosmosphere, it's been enjoyable.

My name is Erika. said...

It amazes me how small this spacecraft was. To think the museum can fit it in a hallway. And vulnerable looking. I find space and the sky fascinating, but I think I like being on our planet. It was a cool museum. I enjoyed all 13 visits. I wouldn't have even known it existed if it wasn't for you . It amazes me how many Smithsonian Museums affiliates there are, and most likely all worth it. Thanks again for all the views. Hugs-Erika

CJ Kennedy said...

This series of posts were awesome. What an incredible museum and I can't believe you saw everything in one day. Wow, a Ford Falcon and it's still running! It's practically an antique. Loved the gazebos on the ride home and amazing how flat, flat, flat the landscape is.

froebelsternchen said...

Thank you for all the 13 visits - I enjoyed them! An incredible museum !How small this spacecraft is - not very comfortable!
Happy weekend dear Elizabeth!
oxo Susi

Divers and Sundry said...

What an amazing museum. The accomplishments have been stunning!

Meggymay said...

Thank you for all the visits you have taken on, to see this amazing exhibition. All the photos have been fantastic.
Yvonne xx

sheila 77 said...

Your photos are great despite them putting a distracting beam in the way (how inconsiderate!).
I can't imagine ever getting into that tiny spacecraft, but some people are very keen to do so.
We always love to see old cars too.
Have a great weekend, Elizabeth. .

RO said...

This reminds me that there is a job or passion for everyone. There's no way I could have ever travelled in one of those. I love, love, love looking at old cars, so I appreciate that pic, Elizabeth! Happy Friday and Hugs...RO

Rita said...

I would never have been able to walk all that long way through there so I am grateful you shared all these pictures with us. :)

Let's Art Journal said...

What a wonderful exhibition, it's amazing to imagine they linked up in space and the astronauts crawled through that narrow docking module! Thanks for sharing and that old car looks quite space age too 😁. Wishing you a happy weekend dear Elizabeth! J 😊

Jeanie said...

This really lgives you the idea of the size and scope of the Zpollo/Soyusz -- impressive. Thanks for sharing all of these!

pearshapedcrafting said...

Wow! I enjoyed all of your trips to Cosmosphere. Can't imagine how it must have felt crawling through the docking station! Hug, Chrisx