Crew:
    Thomas P. Stafford [4], Commander
    Vance D. Brand [1], Command Module Pilot
    Donald K. Slayton [1], Docking Module Pilot

Backup Crew:
    Alan L. Bean, Commander
    Ronald B. Evans, Command Module Pilot
    Jack R. Lousma, Docking Module Pilot

Launch:
    Pad: 39-B
    Date: 15 July 15, 1975
    Time: 17:50:00 UTC

Flight:
    Orbits: 145
    Duration: 9 days, 1 hour, 28 minutes, 24 seconds

Landing:
    Location: Pacific Ocean
    Vessel: USS New Orleans (LPH-11)
    Date: 24 July 1975
    Time: 19:18:24 UTC

The Apollo rendezvous and docking with the Soviet Soyuz occurred on 17 July 1975.  This was the first space flight for Donald K. (Deke) Slayton, one of the original seven Mercury astronauts, who was grounded with a heart murmur. The Apollo portion of ASTP is often (erroneously) referred to as Apollo 18. The capsule had originally been slated for the Apollo 18 lunar mission, which was cancelled.

A crisis occurred when ASTP was landing. The attitude control thrusters had been left on and fumes flooded the capsule during pressure equalization. This was very dangerous because the astronauts were not wearing pressure suits. The capsule inverted when it hit the water. Stafford was able to get out of his seat and get oxygen masks for the crew. Brand had already passed out.

The Soyuz flight (Soyuz 19) was flown 15-21 July 1975. It carried two crew members, Alexei A. Leonov and Valeri N. Kubasov.

The ASTP command module is currently on display at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex near Titusville, FL.

  Historic handshake between Alexei Leonov and Thomas Stafford. Credit: NASA
(click to enlarge)