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See Photos From the Historic Apollo-Soyuz Mission

American astronaut Deke Slayton and Russian cosmonaut Alexei Leonov during the US-Soviet Apollo-Soyuz linkup.
American astronaut Deke Slayton and Russian cosmonaut Alexei Leonov during the US-Soviet Apollo-Soyuz linkup.NASA
By Jonathan D. Woods
This artist's concept illustrates the Apollo-type spacecraft about to dock with a Soviet Soyuz-type spacecraft (right).
This artist's concept illustrates the Apollo-type spacecraft about to dock with a Soviet Soyuz-type spacecraft (right).NASA
President Richard Nixon and Soviet Premier Alexei Kosygin sign an agreement in May of 1972 that paved the way for the Apollo–Soyuz mission.
President Richard Nixon and Soviet Premier Alexei Kosygin sign an agreement in May of 1972 that paved the way for the Apollo–Soyuz mission.NASA
The U.S.-USSR crew for the 1975 Apollo Soyuz Test Project mission: astronaut Tom Stafford (standing on left), commander of the American crew; cosmonaut Alexei Leonov (standing on right), commander of the Soviet crew; astronaut Donald Slayton (seated on left), docking module pilot of the American crew; astronaut Vance Brand (seated in center), command module pilot of the American crew; and cosmonaut Valeriy Kubasov (seated on right), engineer on the Soviet crew.
The U.S.-USSR crew for the 1975 Apollo Soyuz Test Project mission: astronaut Tom Stafford (standing on left), commander of the American crew; cosmonaut Alexei Leonov (standing on right), commander of the Soviet crew; astronaut Donald Slayton (seated on left), docking module pilot of the American crew; astronaut Vance Brand (seated in center), command module pilot of the American crew; and cosmonaut Valeriy Kubasov (seated on right), engineer on the Soviet crew.NASA
The Soviet Soyuz launch vehicle leaves from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
The Soviet Soyuz launch vehicle leaves from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.Roscosmos
The Saturn IB launch vehicle lifts the American crew into orbit on July 15, 1975.
The Saturn IB launch vehicle lifts the American crew into orbit on July 15, 1975.NASA
Activity inside Mission Control in Houston during the Apollo Soyuz Test Project docking mission.
Activity inside Mission Control in Houston during the Apollo Soyuz Test Project docking mission. NASA
American astronauts Tom Stafford and Deke Slayton hold tubes of vodka given to them by Russian cosmonauts during their historic rendezvous and linkup of Apollo and Soyuz spacecraft.
American astronauts Tom Stafford and Deke Slayton hold tubes of vodka given to them by Russian cosmonauts during their historic rendezvous and linkup of Apollo and Soyuz spacecraft.NASA
The American Apollo spacecraft as seen in Earth orbit from the Soviet Soyuz 19 spacecraft during the joint U.S.-USSR Apollo Soyuz Test Project (ASTP) mission.
The American Apollo spacecraft as seen in Earth orbit from the Soviet Soyuz 19 spacecraft during the joint U.S.-USSR Apollo Soyuz Test Project (ASTP) mission.Roscosmos
The Soviet Soyuz spacecraft approaches the Apollo for linkup in space, the first rendezvous and docking of vessels from different nations.
The Soviet Soyuz spacecraft approaches the Apollo for linkup in space, the first rendezvous and docking of vessels from different nations.NASA—NASA
Astronaut Tom Stafford (in foreground) and cosmonaut Alexei Leonov make their historic handshake in space on July 17, 1975.
Astronaut Tom Stafford (in foreground) and cosmonaut Alexei Leonov make their historic handshake in space on July 17, 1975.NASA
President Gerald R. Ford watches crewmen Tom Stafford, Donald Slayton and Valeriy Kubasov on a television as he talks to them by phone while they orbited the Earth on July 18, 1975. The American Apollo spacecraft and Soviet Soyuz spacecraft were docked.
President Gerald R. Ford watches crewmen Tom Stafford, Donald Slayton and Valeriy Kubasov on a television as he talks to them by phone while they orbited the Earth on July 18, 1975. The American Apollo spacecraft and Soviet Soyuz spacecraft were docked.The White House
American astronaut Deke Slayton and Russian cosmonaut Alexei Leonov during the US-Soviet Apollo-Soyuz linkup.
American astronaut Deke Slayton and Russian cosmonaut Alexei Leonov during the US-Soviet Apollo-Soyuz linkup.NASA

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Write to Jonathan D. Woods at jonathan.woods@time.com