The original documents are located in Box 1, folder “Apollo-Soyuz Space Flight” of the Ron Nessen Papers at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library. Copyright Notice The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Ron Nessen donated to the United States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections. Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library. Digitized from Box 1 of the Ron Nessen Papers at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library PRESIDENTIAL MESSAGE ON SOYUZ FLIGHT Q: Did the President send a message to General Secretary Brezhnev on the successful completion of the Soyuz flight? A: Yes. The President extended congratulations to the General Secretary and to his colleagues who were instrumental in making the flight a success, particularly Colonel Leonov and Mr. Kubasov. The President wrote that the flight opened a "new page in manned THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON 7·//. 7S: TO: en,~ For Your Informa:tion: V For Appropriate Handling: ----- ~. Robert D. Linder 991 *******U N C L A S S I P I E D*******S COPY .- ... PRIORITY DE RUWTDRA #0209 1921820 P 111807Z JUl.. 75 FM NASA JSC KOUSTO~ TEXAS TO PRESIDENT GERA~O R! fORO THE W"1ITE HOUSE WASHINGTON, D~C~ SA UNC~AS ca~ WE OF tHE APOLLO CREW EXTENO.TO YOU OUR VERY BE$T WISHES FOR A HAPPY BlATHOAY AND A FORTHCOMING PRODUCTIVE ANO PROSPEROUS, YEI\R. OUR GOAL. OF A FLAWLESS_ AND FRUITFUL' APOL.L.O•SOVUi. MJSSXON, IS WHAT- WE WOUL.Q I.. IKE TO PRESENT YOU AS OUR COMMANOER•HN•CHXEF~- THE APnLLO CREW; _ _ _ . - BR~GADlER G'NERAL. THOMAS P~.STAFFORO, COMMANDER MR. VANCE 0 8 BRANOr COMMAND MOOUL,E PILOT MR~_OONAL.O k~ 1 SLAVTON 1 DOCKING MODULE Pt~OT NA~A LYNDON B~ JOHNSON SPACE CENTER, HOUSTON, TEXAS BT PSN:fa47897 PAGE 01· OF' ~1 *******U N C L. A S 5 I F I E D*******S ·coPY 0 • I .,: ··' .. I L ") :: ~ f t ·., f \ , · i. ! •: T ? - - - L I . I • ) I ' r< l T ., . I f • ) . ,.. ) . ~ t - T . r r ' - .. ;: L f. T • -r .l. ~ 1 ... T - ; f • T . • • • "" l ) ' t' • (. ·-~ ~ f<.- <- , ' .. r -lt L -· t .... - " T J., .t~,..' I . ) ,, r .. - f J ... ) • r- ~ J 1.; .... f :: \ } :;- • r ! ::; •; r') ".i ( ,.. f' r • ~ l rt i t r. r • < .) - • r I ·~ r ~ ... ~ i , ~ ~~ r 1 'J - 1 't . r t l I~~ '; 'I ' " ~ '-' C J J i "- I l .( ~!_ -1~·1- t- T 1G vr ~i-''l " T, Tt• "' •: I ) ' c c '-' ' r j ~ T :.: -~ )I' 1 r ! " \ ... ' } I 1_ I~ - ::-, ,... "Lt. YT --'1 :\.' "1. Irtr: • t!1 s. T•r.-r. l~ d :, v•ri'f II"'JTtr Tt ·-: ( ~ "' T i \! .. I I! L i) H t- ..\ IJ.\ I I ,\ ~ l ~ ,.,... r ', ~ 1 : -~ • P '1 a r; n • 1 11. r ,. r ~ ... r ' P E ~ r.. ·· !J r ,. <1' T .i !J r il <; '1 f1 Au T : 1 .-4 I I L E T -. '~ r Ac j; :: • ~ >- r , ,, . I • • 'f- · . ·; ~ r •J r .o~ 1 L L o" L o:; r: I ~~ SP AC, C r:> f T • ! T ' ) '· C A ! U:) Y T ! .1 F - u9 T h € C. F "'~ • ! V t·,-~o·j .· IT H <XF~"{'i...NT~ 4 t-.il nr•• .. ,< r;p-: "( Tl O~~~~ 1 ~ : ;.; !WI T U l :} : •1 P 1-l ( E f' T ., F ~ C r< C <F " 1 <; 1 -~ I T :1 1~<> ; )P A;: [' .i." Ullf· I ,r. T!1 T P' Hlf'; OF TiH; F'.;fJ '" AN fl P F.~ ATir ·~AL "J tJ .3 F" K f t: P J ~n_, !, I 11 t. 5 T \ P" F u ;; -~ :< r 'J"" t r y ;: n • vn 1 t..:. :. •o v r : F, .H:·:J!Jt IT !.J"i ,.;:~100 •'- - ! *.; ,. • c r.; T Ar: '; t; T ~ T l I .~ · l~ A t '-i • • ., .... •* " • , ... ) "l -: T ' ") ~ .... .. .. r .·- . - .. ' : ,.J ,, . ' ,.. •I ! I J .. ' 1 r:, I ,... .- T ~ : r .. 1." II !:. 'l' '. ~I ·' ·~ '· _j ' r - • I ·. ) r ;·\. ~c I I' l"' ] ,...~It:" l .. '~I , r· r "~. 1 1 .. r 1 _.. · ) .. ... l I T . ' ·' D• .... ) .) t.: i ' \ < l. 1 '> v '' I 'I ' I j" T • ' f r <:;'"' •r u 1- r !' J J ~ I _. t. ...: ... ! 1_ T , 1 ~ r '( -1- I • .\ ,... r .5 " r • 1 1 1 ' l " I ' f r . c. ' • 1' .> r u "' r : . T • · ,:, ,.; , ~ • ') L T ' t !a·' ;., • :1 u "' .. :... c r- '-'l lT 1 r: t: .\ ; ·,.) ·' ~.>\~ .· ~ ···"~"iT:) ~ ) \ ·. • I ,~ r; 1 ! ..> ) ~- ' ·r .J H J ,., t r r: :; T . r; U y l'l"' I ~. ,.. L' '; ( ~ ,, ~ (1 .:> 'f r. 1-- r .•to' Tl, r~ ! ;i'.!.Tc.. i~FP AI'Ir ~·· ,T 1'J l t , ,.. T • c.;[') ( r 1·1? L .l. ' '"•': .• n· .1- r, . v ., c '· 1 L l '· r :-., r' I' '!' T 1 , ) ~~ r ' l T s l ~ r n IJ 1 c ·~ ") TH- :;~1-:l ;-· '"' t:~ ... <.<~.S ~ Sfo-JT' •',TP"' Ttl f;.... >- ~ t• -'1 F;;:; \j .~- v ~ ~ . !.... ... N r ~:~ r ; r, '· ' r , • C . L L • r- f f- 'Y 'liJ ' t:.. ~ 'J U;:: .> T l P 1'1 S ,.., ..( d- THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON July 14,· 1975 MEMORANDUM FOR: DONALD RUMSFELD VIA: JERRY JONES lu. ';.: :r:~ FROM: RED CAVANEY:';; -!i·,~~~~\.., SUBJECT: THE PRESIDENT 1S PARTICIPATION AT THE TELEVISED LAUNCH OF THE RUSSIAN SOYUZ SPACECRAFT State Department Auditorium Tuesday, July 15, 1975 Attached at TAB A is the proposed' schedule for the subject event. APPROVE--- DISAPPROVE__ BACKGROUND The launch of the Soyuz Spacecraft by the Soviet Union marks the beginning of the first international manned space flight. The launch of the U.S. Apollo Spacecraft on Tuesday afternoon will complete the launch phase of this mission which has re­ quired three years of planning and development. Viewed by a worldwide live television audience, the two spacecraft will dock two days into the mission for a two day period, will reverse roles for docking on the fifth day, and will separate on the sixth day with the Soyuz craft returning to earth. The Apollo capsule will remain in orbit for four additional days of scientific testing before splashing down in the Pacific near Hawaii. -2- The television program at the State Department features live coverage from Moscow and is sponsored by NASA for their official guests to witness the Soviet launch. Beginning at 6:00 am, there will be continuous narration of the launch developments as well as the continuous showing of a 15 minute exp_lanatory slide presentation. Following a successful "orbital insertion'' the guests will be taken to the Cape Kennedy Spacelift Center to view the Apollo launch. Among NASA 1 s guests are the United Nations Outer Space Committee, thirty-five foriegn Space Agency heads, fifty members of the Diplomatic Corps lead by Ambassador Dobrynin and 180 U.S. Government officials. Network television plans extensive live coverage from the State Department for the morning new programs. Portions of the State Department activities will be televised worldwide. ..·'' ~::.. j~~ ) • 7/14/75 1:00 pro PROPOSED SCHEDULE THE PRESIDENT'S PARTICIPATION AT THE TELEVISED LAUNCH OF THE RUSSIAN SOYUZ SPACECRAFT State Department Auditorium Tuesday, July 15, 1975 7:50am The President boards motorcade on South Grounds. MOTORCADE DEPARTS South Grounds en route State Department. rDriving time: 5 minutes] 7:55am MOTORCADE ARRIVES State Department (C Street entrance). The President will be met by: Robert Ingersoll, Deputy Secretary of State James Fletcher, NASA Administrator PRESS POOL COVERAGE The President, escorted by Robert Ingersoll and­ James Fletcher, proceeds to holding room (Room 1410). 7:57am The President arrives holding room where he will be met by Ambassador Anatoly F. Dobrynin. OFFICIAL PHOTO COVERAGE 7:57am Robert Ingersoll and James Fletcher depart holding room en route auditorium. 7:59am The President and Ambassador Dobrynin depart holding room and proceed to announcement area,, and pauses for announcement. '~ -- --' .-.-;..:: 8:00am Announcement. ., . -2-:- 8:00am The President and Ambassador Dobrynin enter auditorium and proceed. to stage. OPEN PRESS COVERAGE ATTENDANCE: 600 8:01 am The President arrives stage and is seated. 8:01 am Welcoming remarks by Robert Ingersoll, concludi 8:03am with introduction of Ambassador Dobry nin. Remarks by Ambassador Dobrynin. 8:06am Remarks by James Fletcher, concluding with the introduction of the President. 8:08am Presidential remarks begin. LIVE WORLDWIDE TELEVISION 8:ll am Remarks conclude. The President and the platform party depart state and are seated in the auditorium for launch program. 8:20am Liftoff. NOTE: The launch "window" extends from 8:20 am (EDT) to 8:26 am. If a liftoff is not achieved by 8:26 am, the launch will be postponed. NOTE: Following the liftoff an animation will be shown which portrays the spacecraft's movement. 8:30am Orbital insertion announcement. 8:35am The President departs auditorium en route motorcade for boarding. 8:40am MOTORCADE DEPARTS State Department en route South Grounds. fDriving time: 5 minutes] _...... -~ ... ·:· ....... _ . ' ··:- \ -~..... 8:45am MOTORCADE ARRIVES South Grounds. July 15 ~ 19 7 5 Office of the White House Pre.:;s Secretary ------------------------------------------------------------------------ TEXT OF A 1v1ESSAGE BY THE PR.SSIDENT TO US ASTRONAUTS A~D SOVIET COSMONAUTS PRIOR TO THE LAUNCHL.\JG OF THEIR S?ACECRAFTS To the Soyuz and Apollo Crews: In a few short hours, you will be opening a new era in the e..'{plorati.on of space~ Although other• s have gone before you, you 'vvill be blazing Cl.