Interkosmos

This book focuses on the Interkosmos program, whichwas formed in 1967, marking a fundamentally new era of cooperation by socialist countries, led by theSoviet Union,in the study and exploration of space. Thechapters shed light on the space program that was at that time a prime outlet forthe Soviet Union's aims at becoming a world power. Interkosmoswas a highly publicized Russian space programthat rapidly became a significant propaganda tool for the SovietUnion in the waning years of communism. Billed as an international"research-cosmonaut" imperative, it was also a high-profile means ofdisplaying solidarity with the nine participating Eastern bloc countries.Those countries contributed pilots who were trained in Moscow forweek-long "guest" missions on orbiting Salyut stations. They did a littlesubsidiary science and were permitted only the most basic mechanicalmaneuvers. In this enthralling new book, and following extensive internationalresearch, the authors fully explore the background, accomplishmentsand political legacy of the Interkosmos program. Through personal andoften highly revealing interviews with many of the participants theyrelate the very human story behind this extraordinary but controversialspace venture..