The historic handshake in space

Witness History

In July 1975, former competitors the Soviet Union and the United States both launched rockets into the sky within hours of each other, as part of a joint project.

They wanted two spacecraft, from two different countries, to achieve the first international docking in space.

While millions watched on TV, the cosmonauts and astronauts opened the hatches between the two vehicles and shook hands, then shared meals and conducted joint science experiments.

In 2022, former NASA chief historian, Bill Barry told Nick Holland why the unique rendezvous was a turning point.

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(Photo: Commander of the Soviet crew of Soyuz, Alexei Leonov (L) and commander of the American crew of Apollo, Thomas Stafford (R). Credit: NASA/AFP via Getty Images).