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    Ramstein AFB
    Ramstein AFB
    Apollo launch support
    Ramstein AFB
    Ramstein AFB
    Apollo launch support
    Ramstein AFB
    Ramstein AFB
    docking
    Ramstein AFB
    Ramstein AFB
    Apollo recovery support
    Ramstein AFB
    Ramstein AFB
    Apollo recovery support
    Ramstein AFB
    Ramstein AFB
    Apollo recovery support
    Raisting Satellite Station
    Raisting Satellite Station
    Apollo launch
    Raisting Satellite Station
    Raisting Satellite Station
    Apollo recovery
    Bochum Observatory
    Bochum Observatory
    docking
    signed by Prof Kaminski
    Bochum Observatory
    Bochum Observatory
    Soyuz landing
    Bochum Observatory
    Bochum Observatory
    Apollo recovery
    Effelsberg Radio Telescope
    Effelsberg Radio Telescope
    by then biggest telescope in the world - 100m diameter
    Effelsberg Radio Telescope
    Effelsberg Radio Telescope
    Alsfeld, West Germany
    Alsfeld, West Germany
    ASTP launch
    Alsfeld, West Germany
    Alsfeld, West Germany
    ASTP docking
    Alsfeld, West Germany
    Alsfeld, West Germany
    ASTP docking
    Alsfeld, West Germany
    Alsfeld, West Germany
    Alsfeld, West Germany
    Alsfeld, West Germany
    postmarked on July 14
    Wilhelm Foerster Observatory
    Wilhelm Foerster Observatory
    launch
    Wilhelm Foerster Observatory
    Wilhelm Foerster Observatory
    docking
    Wilhelm Foerster Observatory
    Wilhelm Foerster Observatory
    undocking
    Wilhelm Foerster Observatory
    Wilhelm Foerster Observatory
    Apollo recovery
    German Space Center
    German Space Center
    German experiments
    German Space Center
    German Space Center
    German experiments
    German experiments cachet
    Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm
    Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm
    German experiments equipment vendor
    Erfurt, East Germany
    Erfurt, East Germany
    ASTP docking
    serviced to Bob Whitney
    Erfurt, East Germany
    Erfurt, East Germany
    DDR ASTP stamps were issued Sep 15, 1975
    Berlin, East Germany
    Berlin, East Germany
    ASTP FDC + special cancellation Sep 15, 1975
    Berlin, West Germany
    Berlin, West Germany
    Industry und Technik exhibition
    Berlin, West Germany
    Berlin, West Germany
    Berlin, West Germany
    Berlin, West Germany
    Berlin, West Germany
    Berlin, West Germany
    Berlin, West Germany
    Berlin, West Germany
    Berlin, West Germany
    Berlin, West Germany
    Alsfeld, West Germany
    Alsfeld, West Germany
    Alsfeld, West Germany
    Alsfeld, West Germany
    Berlin, West Germany
    Berlin, West Germany
    Hermann Oberth Society
    Hermann Oberth Society
    Hermann Oberth Society
    Hermann Oberth Society
    Astrophil cachet
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    ASTP German covers

    When looking at German ASTP material, I decided to create a separate chapter and there are a couple of reasons. As you remember – I collect only the stuff originally from the countries that directly or indirectly participated in the project, for instance – tracking and satellite stations and other facilities holders. Germany, not only owned several space-related facilities but was directly involved in the scientific part of project.

    ​

    First of all there are two very important institutions - Raisting satellite station and Ramstein Air Force Base, responsible for launch and recovery support coordination over the Eastern Hemisphere. Bochum observatory is an independent institution that served as data relay and gathered objective flight info. From the 28 joint experiments, 2 were German - МА-014 Electrophoresis and MA-107 Biostack III. Needless to mention, that the docking itself occurred over Germany, on the line Alsfeld – Erfurt that were by then in different countries (FRG and DDR), 140 kilometers apart. At last, but possibly the most important are the German dealers that excelled in bringing to philatelic light so much valuable and fascinating ASTP material. The most adventurous is of cause Eberhard Coelle double cancellations story that I save for a dessert.

    Eberhard Coelle
    Eberhard Coelle
    Moscow - Jul 15
    Cape Canaveral - Jul 15
    Eberhard Coelle
    Eberhard Coelle
    Moscow - Jul 15
    Houston (JSC) - Jul 17
    Eberhard Coelle
    Eberhard Coelle
    Moscow - Jul 15
    Houston (JSC) - Jul 21
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    ASTP dual cancellation covers by Eberhard Coelle are known for their unrealistic and intriguing story. 3000 ASTP emblem cacheted covers were cancelled on Jul 15, 1975, first in Moscow for the Soyuz launch and then at Cape Canaveral for the Apollo launch. Another 3000 Moscow cancelled covers got Johnson Space Center special cancellation on Jul 17 – ASTP docking. Having covers cancelled for both launches taking place on the same day (7 1/2 hours apart) and thousands of miles apart, posed a great challenge but space dealer Eberhard Coelle, through much planning and assistance was able to succeed. Besides very tough schedule of flights USSR-Germany-USA and then Florida, the winning run was made when US Post Office postmaster in the Cape Canaveral post office volunteered to service all the collectors covers during afterhours. This story was revealed by David Ball, author of “American Astrophilately”.

    ​

    Besides the mentioned covers, some other combinations of same-day dual cancellations exist, like these FDOI KSC - Moscow on big-size covers

    FISA card, Austria
    FISA card, Austria
    German experiments mentioned in the text
    FISA card, Austria
    FISA card, Austria
    German experiments mentioned in the text
    Austria
    Austria
    Astro Documenta SL-3 cachet converted to ASTP
    Austria
    Austria
    Astro Documenta SL-3 cachet converted to ASTP
    Astrophil 55
    Astrophil 55
    Astrophil 47
    Astrophil 47
    Astrophil 48
    Astrophil 48
    Astrophil 49
    Astrophil 49
    Astrophil 56
    Astrophil 56
    Astrophil 50
    Astrophil 50
    Astrophil 51
    Astrophil 51
    Astrophil 52
    Astrophil 52
    Astro Documenta 36
    Astro Documenta 36
    Astro Documenta 38
    Astro Documenta 38
    Astro Documenta 42
    Astro Documenta 42
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    KSC - Moscow
    KSC - Moscow
    both cancellations are First Day - Jul 15, 1975
    KSC - Moscow
    KSC - Moscow
    another type of cover using the same postmarks configuration
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