Space Stunt--and More

The Reagan Administration confirmed this week that Washington is ready to propose to Moscow a joint manned space mission. If the Soviets accept the proposal, which would involve a simulated rescue mission between the American space shuttle and a Soviet space station, the flight could take place by late this year.

The joint venture, which would be the first of its type since the Apollo-Soyuz rendezvous in space almost 10 years ago, would be a public-relations stunt in the best sense--a demonstration of peaceful cooperation that might have a helpful rub-off on arms control and other areas of U.S.-Soviet relations. Obviously, though, the development of a joint space-rescue capability would have practical value, too.

According to Aviation Week, White House and U.S. space officials believe that the mission could eventually lead to joint exploration of the moon and possibly a joint manned space flight to Mars.

It is heartening that the Administration is thinking in such terms.

U.S.-Soviet space cooperation never really ended during the recent years of unpleasantness. Under arrangements made months ago, for example, the United States is using its tracking network to help the Russians acquire test data from the two Soviet Vega spacecraft that were launched toward Venus and Halley’s comet in December. The two Vegas carry comet dust-detector equipment designed and built by John A. Simpson of the University of Chicago. The United States will get information from the Soviets in exchange.

However, when President Reagan invited the Soviets a year ago to join the United States in a simulated space-rescue mission, they said no. They rebuffed a follow-up initiative by the Administration last June. Now the President is described as ready to try again. This time, thanks to the improved atmosphere in U.S.-Soviet relations, there is more reason to believe that Moscow will say yes.

The plan to be proposed will involve the rendezvous of the U.S. space shuttle and the Soviet space station. There would be no docking, but a U.S. astronaut could use a maneuvering unit to move from the shuttle to the Soviet vessel and push a Soviet crewman back to the American orbiter.

Aside from the positive political effect of such a joint venture, it is in the American interest to restrain the cost of space exploration through joint ventures with the West Europeans and other free-world nations--and with the Soviets when mutually fruitful collaboration can be worked out. The simulated rescue mission that is envisioned could be an important new step in that direction.