This is a view of what the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project looked like.

‪ ‪#‎ApolloSoyuzTestProject‬

* The historic handshake in space *

"Cooperation means friendship, friendship means peace.

Let's live in peace."

-American Brigadier General Thomas Stafford

and Russian cosmonaut and national hero, Alexey Leonov-

40 years ago today something truly wonderful happened:

the historic handshake between former enemies USA and RUSSIA, who met in space during the #ApolloSoyuzTestProject and who inspired so many with something new.

Who would have dared to hope back then that this "small handshake in space would grow into that giant development of global co-operation" which built a wonderful foundation for

‪#‎SpaceExplorationAtItsBest‬, which is happening in so many areas these days.

Be it on our International Space Station ‪#‎ISS‬, be it on our shared journey to outer space, flying by Pluto and leaving our solar system, following the motto "Together we achieve more".

I cannot express how thankful I am for all our adventures, which we share since a few years with a growing number of friends from all over the world in a growing number of countries and even on a growing number of continents - also thanks to this handshake.

And I am happy that all this also includes meeting Vance Brand and Alexey Leonov and so many other space ambassadors in person.

Thanks to ALL OF YOU for your daily inspiration!

‪#‎LetsGoInterstellarTogether‬

and enjoy our beautiful universe,

not as different nations,

but as one mankind.

‪#‎SpeakForEarth‬

OneEarthMessage.org

edition.cnn.com/2015/07/15/world/space-handshake-annivers...‬

‪ ‪#‎ApolloSoyuzTestProject‬

* The historic handshake in space *

"Cooperation means friendship, friendship means peace.

Let's live in peace."

-American Brigadier General Thomas Stafford

and Russian cosmonaut and national hero, Alexey Leonov-

40 years ago today something truly wonderful happened:

the historic handshake between former enemies USA and RUSSIA, who met in space during the #ApolloSoyuzTestProject and who inspired so many with something new.

Who would have dared to hope back then that this "small handshake in space would grow into that giant development of global co-operation" which built a wonderful foundation for

‪#‎SpaceExplorationAtItsBest‬, which is happening in so many areas these days.

Be it on our International Space Station ‪#‎ISS‬, be it on our shared journey to outer space, flying by Pluto and leaving our solar system, following the motto "Together we achieve more".

I cannot express how thankful I am for all our adventures, which we share since a few years with a growing number of friends from all over the world in a growing number of countries and even on a growing number of continents - also thanks to this handshake.

And I am happy that all this also includes meeting Vance Brand and Alexey Leonov and so many other space ambassadors in person.

Thanks to ALL OF YOU for your daily inspiration!

‪#‎LetsGoInterstellarTogether‬

and enjoy our beautiful universe,

not as different nations,

but as one mankind.

‪#‎SpeakForEarth‬

OneEarthMessage.org

edition.cnn.com/2015/07/15/world/space-handshake-annivers...‬

‪ ‪#‎ApolloSoyuzTestProject‬

* The historic handshake in space *

"Cooperation means friendship, friendship means peace.

Let's live in peace."

-American Brigadier General Thomas Stafford

and Russian cosmonaut and national hero, Alexey Leonov-

40 years ago today something truly wonderful happened:

the historic handshake between former enemies USA and RUSSIA, who met in space during the #ApolloSoyuzTestProject and who inspired so many with something new.

Who would have dared to hope back then that this "small handshake in space would grow into that giant development of global co-operation" which built a wonderful foundation for

‪#‎SpaceExplorationAtItsBest‬, which is happening in so many areas these days.

Be it on our International Space Station ‪#‎ISS‬, be it on our shared journey to outer space, flying by Pluto and leaving our solar system, following the motto "Together we achieve more".

I cannot express how thankful I am for all our adventures, which we share since a few years with a growing number of friends from all over the world in a growing number of countries and even on a growing number of continents - also thanks to this handshake.

And I am happy that all this also includes meeting Vance Brand and Alexey Leonov and so many other space ambassadors in person.

Thanks to ALL OF YOU for your daily inspiration!

‪#‎LetsGoInterstellarTogether‬

and enjoy our beautiful universe,

not as different nations,

but as one mankind.

‪#‎SpeakForEarth‬

OneEarthMessage.org

edition.cnn.com/2015/07/15/world/space-handshake-annivers...‬

‪#‎ApolloSoyuzTestProject‬

* The historic handshake in space *

"Cooperation means friendship, friendship means peace.

Let's live in peace."

-American Brigadier General Thomas Stafford

and Russian cosmonaut and national hero, Alexey Leonov-

40 years ago today something truly wonderful happened:

the historic handshake between former enemies USA and RUSSIA, who met in space during the #ApolloSoyuzTestProject and who inspired so many with something new.

Who would have dared to hope back then that this "small handshake in space would grow into that giant development of global co-operation" which built a wonderful foundation for

‪#‎SpaceExplorationAtItsBest‬, which is happening in so many areas these days.

Be it on our International Space Station ‪#‎ISS‬, be it on our shared journey to outer space, flying by Pluto and leaving our solar system, following the motto "Together we achieve more".

I cannot express how thankful I am for all our adventures, which we share since a few years with a growing number of friends from all over the world in a growing number of countries and even on a growing number of continents - also thanks to this handshake.

And I am happy that all this also includes meeting Vance Brand and Alexey Leonov and so many other space ambassadors in person.

Thanks to ALL OF YOU for your daily inspiration!

‪#‎LetsGoInterstellarTogether‬

and enjoy our beautiful universe,

not as different nations,

but as one mankind.

‪#‎SpeakForEarth‬

OneEarthMessage.org

edition.cnn.com/2015/07/15/world/space-handshake-annivers...

‪#‎ApolloSoyuzTestProject‬

* The historic handshake in space *

"Cooperation means friendship, friendship means peace.

Let's live in peace."

-American Brigadier General Thomas Stafford

and Russian cosmonaut and national hero, Alexey Leonov-

40 years ago today something truly wonderful happened:

the historic handshake between former enemies USA and RUSSIA, who met in space during the #ApolloSoyuzTestProject and who inspired so many with something new.

Who would have dared to hope back then that this "small handshake in space would grow into that giant development of global co-operation" which built a wonderful foundation for

‪#‎SpaceExplorationAtItsBest‬, which is happening in so many areas these days.

Be it on our International Space Station ‪#‎ISS‬, be it on our shared journey to outer space, flying by Pluto and leaving our solar system, following the motto "Together we achieve more".

I cannot express how thankful I am for all our adventures, which we share since a few years with a growing number of friends from all over the world in a growing number of countries and even on a growing number of continents - also thanks to this handshake.

And I am happy that all this also includes meeting Vance Brand and Alexey Leonov and so many other space ambassadors in person.

Thanks to ALL OF YOU for your daily inspiration!

‪#‎LetsGoInterstellarTogether‬

and enjoy our beautiful universe,

not as different nations,

but as one mankind.

‪#‎SpeakForEarth‬

OneEarthMessage.org

edition.cnn.com/2015/07/15/world/space-handshake-annivers...

Backup of ASTP Docking Module

In 1971, the US and the USSR agreed to carry out a docking in orbit of the Apollo and Soyuz spacecraft. This project was called the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project (ASTP). An airlock was needed to transition from the American cabin pressure system of 5 pounds per square inch pure oxygen to the Soviet mixed oxygen/nitrogen system at normal atmospheric pressure (about 14.7 psi). NASA contracted with North American Rockwell, the CSM contractor, to build the Docking Module (DM). On the front was mounted the three-leaf androgynous docking system, which was jointly designed by US and Soviet engineers. It could be used in either a passive (retracted) or active (extended) docking configuration. The DM launched with the Apollo on July 15, 1975 and was used in the historic docking with Soyuz 19 two days later. After undocking on July 19, the American crew of Stafford, Brand and Slayton performed scientific experiments in the DM.

The Smithsonian’s DM is the backup to the flight DM. It was transferred from NASA to the Smithsonian in 1980.

•Manufacturer: North American Rockwell

•Credit Line: Transferred from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration

•Materials:

oStructure: Aluminum plate

•Dimensions:

oOverall:

Depth: 9 ft. 1 13/16 in. (278.92cm)

Length: 10 ft. 4 in. long (314.96cm)

Diameter: 4 ft. 8 in. (142.24cm)

Weight: 4435.7 lb. (2012kg)

•Country of Origin

•United States of America

•Type: SPACECRAFT-Manned-Test Vehicles

•Inventory Number: A19800430000

‪ ‪#‎ApolloSoyuzTestProject‬

* The historic handshake in space *

"Cooperation means friendship, friendship means peace.

Let's live in peace."

-American Brigadier General Thomas Stafford

and Russian cosmonaut and national hero, Alexey Leonov-

40 years ago today something truly wonderful happened:

the historic handshake between former enemies USA and RUSSIA, who met in space during the #ApolloSoyuzTestProject and who inspired so many with something new.

Who would have dared to hope back then that this "small handshake in space would grow into that giant development of global co-operation" which built a wonderful foundation for

‪#‎SpaceExplorationAtItsBest‬, which is happening in so many areas these days.

Be it on our International Space Station ‪#‎ISS‬, be it on our shared journey to outer space, flying by Pluto and leaving our solar system, following the motto "Together we achieve more".

I cannot express how thankful I am for all our adventures, which we share since a few years with a growing number of friends from all over the world in a growing number of countries and even on a growing number of continents - also thanks to this handshake.

And I am happy that all this also includes meeting Vance Brand and Alexey Leonov and so many other space ambassadors in person.

Thanks to ALL OF YOU for your daily inspiration!

‪#‎LetsGoInterstellarTogether‬

and enjoy our beautiful universe,

not as different nations,

but as one mankind.

‪#‎SpeakForEarth‬

OneEarthMessage.org

edition.cnn.com/2015/07/15/world/space-handshake-annivers...‬

‪ ‪#‎ApolloSoyuzTestProject‬

* The historic handshake in space *

"Cooperation means friendship, friendship means peace.

Let's live in peace."

-American Brigadier General Thomas Stafford

and Russian cosmonaut and national hero, Alexey Leonov-

40 years ago today something truly wonderful happened:

the historic handshake between former enemies USA and RUSSIA, who met in space during the #ApolloSoyuzTestProject and who inspired so many with something new.

Who would have dared to hope back then that this "small handshake in space would grow into that giant development of global co-operation" which built a wonderful foundation for

‪#‎SpaceExplorationAtItsBest‬, which is happening in so many areas these days.

Be it on our International Space Station ‪#‎ISS‬, be it on our shared journey to outer space, flying by Pluto and leaving our solar system, following the motto "Together we achieve more".

I cannot express how thankful I am for all our adventures, which we share since a few years with a growing number of friends from all over the world in a growing number of countries and even on a growing number of continents - also thanks to this handshake.

And I am happy that all this also includes meeting Vance Brand and Alexey Leonov and so many other space ambassadors in person.

Thanks to ALL OF YOU for your daily inspiration!

‪#‎LetsGoInterstellarTogether‬

and enjoy our beautiful universe,

not as different nations,

but as one mankind.

‪#‎SpeakForEarth‬

OneEarthMessage.org

edition.cnn.com/2015/07/15/world/space-handshake-annivers...‬

‪ ‪#‎ApolloSoyuzTestProject‬

* The historic handshake in space *

"Cooperation means friendship, friendship means peace.

Let's live in peace."

-American Brigadier General Thomas Stafford

and Russian cosmonaut and national hero, Alexey Leonov-

40 years ago today something truly wonderful happened:

the historic handshake between former enemies USA and RUSSIA, who met in space during the #ApolloSoyuzTestProject and who inspired so many with something new.

Who would have dared to hope back then that this "small handshake in space would grow into that giant development of global co-operation" which built a wonderful foundation for

‪#‎SpaceExplorationAtItsBest‬, which is happening in so many areas these days.

Be it on our International Space Station ‪#‎ISS‬, be it on our shared journey to outer space, flying by Pluto and leaving our solar system, following the motto "Together we achieve more".

I cannot express how thankful I am for all our adventures, which we share since a few years with a growing number of friends from all over the world in a growing number of countries and even on a growing number of continents - also thanks to this handshake.

And I am happy that all this also includes meeting Vance Brand and Alexey Leonov and so many other space ambassadors in person.

Thanks to ALL OF YOU for your daily inspiration!

‪#‎LetsGoInterstellarTogether‬

and enjoy our beautiful universe,

not as different nations,

but as one mankind.

‪#‎SpeakForEarth‬

OneEarthMessage.org

edition.cnn.com/2015/07/15/world/space-handshake-annivers...‬

‪#‎ApolloSoyuzTestProject‬

* The historic handshake in space *

"Cooperation means friendship, friendship means peace.

Let's live in peace."

-American Brigadier General Thomas Stafford

and Russian cosmonaut and national hero, Alexey Leonov-

40 years ago today something truly wonderful happened:

the historic handshake between former enemies USA and RUSSIA, who met in space during the #ApolloSoyuzTestProject and who inspired so many with something new.

Who would have dared to hope back then that this "small handshake in space would grow into that giant development of global co-operation" which built a wonderful foundation for

‪#‎SpaceExplorationAtItsBest‬, which is happening in so many areas these days.

Be it on our International Space Station ‪#‎ISS‬, be it on our shared journey to outer space, flying by Pluto and leaving our solar system, following the motto "Together we achieve more".

I cannot express how thankful I am for all our adventures, which we share since a few years with a growing number of friends from all over the world in a growing number of countries and even on a growing number of continents - also thanks to this handshake.

And I am happy that all this also includes meeting Vance Brand and Alexey Leonov and so many other space ambassadors in person.

Thanks to ALL OF YOU for your daily inspiration!

‪#‎LetsGoInterstellarTogether‬

and enjoy our beautiful universe,

not as different nations,

but as one mankind.

‪#‎SpeakForEarth‬

OneEarthMessage.org

edition.cnn.com/2015/07/15/world/space-handshake-annivers...

‪#‎ApolloSoyuzTestProject‬

* The historic handshake in space *

"Cooperation means friendship, friendship means peace.

Let's live in peace."

-American Brigadier General Thomas Stafford

and Russian cosmonaut and national hero, Alexey Leonov-

40 years ago today something truly wonderful happened:

the historic handshake between former enemies USA and RUSSIA, who met in space during the #ApolloSoyuzTestProject and who inspired so many with something new.

Who would have dared to hope back then that this "small handshake in space would grow into that giant development of global co-operation" which built a wonderful foundation for

‪#‎SpaceExplorationAtItsBest‬, which is happening in so many areas these days.

Be it on our International Space Station ‪#‎ISS‬, be it on our shared journey to outer space, flying by Pluto and leaving our solar system, following the motto "Together we achieve more".

I cannot express how thankful I am for all our adventures, which we share since a few years with a growing number of friends from all over the world in a growing number of countries and even on a growing number of continents - also thanks to this handshake.

And I am happy that all this also includes meeting Vance Brand and Alexey Leonov and so many other space ambassadors in person.

Thanks to ALL OF YOU for your daily inspiration!

‪#‎LetsGoInterstellarTogether‬

and enjoy our beautiful universe,

not as different nations,

but as one mankind.

‪#‎SpeakForEarth‬

OneEarthMessage.org

edition.cnn.com/2015/07/15/world/space-handshake-annivers...

‪ ‪#‎ApolloSoyuzTestProject‬

* The historic handshake in space *

"Cooperation means friendship, friendship means peace.

Let's live in peace."

-American Brigadier General Thomas Stafford

and Russian cosmonaut and national hero, Alexey Leonov-

40 years ago today something truly wonderful happened:

the historic handshake between former enemies USA and RUSSIA, who met in space during the #ApolloSoyuzTestProject and who inspired so many with something new.

Who would have dared to hope back then that this "small handshake in space would grow into that giant development of global co-operation" which built a wonderful foundation for

‪#‎SpaceExplorationAtItsBest‬, which is happening in so many areas these days.

Be it on our International Space Station ‪#‎ISS‬, be it on our shared journey to outer space, flying by Pluto and leaving our solar system, following the motto "Together we achieve more".

I cannot express how thankful I am for all our adventures, which we share since a few years with a growing number of friends from all over the world in a growing number of countries and even on a growing number of continents - also thanks to this handshake.

And I am happy that all this also includes meeting Vance Brand and Alexey Leonov and so many other space ambassadors in person.

Thanks to ALL OF YOU for your daily inspiration!

‪#‎LetsGoInterstellarTogether‬

and enjoy our beautiful universe,

not as different nations,

but as one mankind.

‪#‎SpeakForEarth‬

OneEarthMessage.org

edition.cnn.com/2015/07/15/world/space-handshake-annivers...‬

‪ ‪#‎ApolloSoyuzTestProject‬

* The historic handshake in space *

"Cooperation means friendship, friendship means peace.

Let's live in peace."

-American Brigadier General Thomas Stafford

and Russian cosmonaut and national hero, Alexey Leonov-

40 years ago today something truly wonderful happened:

the historic handshake between former enemies USA and RUSSIA, who met in space during the #ApolloSoyuzTestProject and who inspired so many with something new.

Who would have dared to hope back then that this "small handshake in space would grow into that giant development of global co-operation" which built a wonderful foundation for

‪#‎SpaceExplorationAtItsBest‬, which is happening in so many areas these days.

Be it on our International Space Station ‪#‎ISS‬, be it on our shared journey to outer space, flying by Pluto and leaving our solar system, following the motto "Together we achieve more".

I cannot express how thankful I am for all our adventures, which we share since a few years with a growing number of friends from all over the world in a growing number of countries and even on a growing number of continents - also thanks to this handshake.

And I am happy that all this also includes meeting Vance Brand and Alexey Leonov and so many other space ambassadors in person.

Thanks to ALL OF YOU for your daily inspiration!

‪#‎LetsGoInterstellarTogether‬

and enjoy our beautiful universe,

not as different nations,

but as one mankind.

‪#‎SpeakForEarth‬

OneEarthMessage.org

edition.cnn.com/2015/07/15/world/space-handshake-annivers...‬

‪#‎ApolloSoyuzTestProject‬

* The historic handshake in space *

"Cooperation means friendship, friendship means peace.

Let's live in peace."

-American Brigadier General Thomas Stafford

and Russian cosmonaut and national hero, Alexey Leonov-

40 years ago today something truly wonderful happened:

the historic handshake between former enemies USA and RUSSIA, who met in space during the #ApolloSoyuzTestProject and who inspired so many with something new.

Who would have dared to hope back then that this "small handshake in space would grow into that giant development of global co-operation" which built a wonderful foundation for

‪#‎SpaceExplorationAtItsBest‬, which is happening in so many areas these days.

Be it on our International Space Station ‪#‎ISS‬, be it on our shared journey to outer space, flying by Pluto and leaving our solar system, following the motto "Together we achieve more".

I cannot express how thankful I am for all our adventures, which we share since a few years with a growing number of friends from all over the world in a growing number of countries and even on a growing number of continents - also thanks to this handshake.

And I am happy that all this also includes meeting Vance Brand and Alexey Leonov and so many other space ambassadors in person.

Thanks to ALL OF YOU for your daily inspiration!

‪#‎LetsGoInterstellarTogether‬

and enjoy our beautiful universe,

not as different nations,

but as one mankind.

‪#‎SpeakForEarth‬

OneEarthMessage.org

edition.cnn.com/2015/07/15/world/space-handshake-annivers...

Full size mockup of the Apollo and Soyuz spacecraft. These mockups were used during the training for the Apollo Soyuz Test Project, the first joint manned mission between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, which took place in 1975.

Smithsonian Air and Space Museum

Washington, DC

A replica of some mid-70's joint missions between the US and Soviet space programs. The green thing is the Soyuz and its equivalent of the service module.