WR: USSR: THE SPACE MISSION THAT WASN'T

Created: 8/4/1972

OCR scan of the original document, errors are possible

Soviet Sketch of Soyuz (Iffl) and Salyul

USSR:

THE SPACE MISSION THAT WASN'T

Ihe trouble-plagued Soviet mannedwas occupied forays by the

program suf'ered another major setback lastanpace booster failed to orbit an

unmanned Salyut space station. If thes the three-stage version of the

been successful, the Salyut wouldooster, the largest Soviet opet-

jomed in orbitanned Soyu?space booster Theas been beset

The failure almost certainly will delayproblems since testing beganast

booster and its payload to crash. This wai lhe the vehicle, suggesting lhat the real cause of the second Soviet attempt toalyut space difficulties may be inadequate quality control, station; the first, last year, was successful and Ihe and that could be difficult to correct.

TOP jl'CRr.T

18

REVIEW

The location of Soviet space support ships in th* Atlantic andoceans lastanned space launch was in the oiling, Tho Soviots probably had planned another joint operation involving an extended stay by cosmonauts aboard the space station. Muchabout the physiological effects of weightlessness from prolonged space flight was lost last year when theosmonauts were killed during re-entry. The loss of the Salyut station probably will delay the mission for several months and possib'y longerack-uption is readily available.

The failure to orbit Salyutostly one for the Soviets. Not only did it delay their latest manned space venture, but it cosl0 million in US terms for the launch attempt,jnt> million for the space station. "

GECUET

Page 19 WEEKLY REVIEW

4 Aug 72

Original document.

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