UN Flag from Apollo-Soyuz Mission
On 15 July 1975, the joint Apollo-Soyuz Mission Space Project launched into space. Two days later, on 17 July 1975, both vehicles docked together in outer space above earth. The historic handshake between astronauts Stafford from Apollo and Leonov from Soyuz occurred while the spacecrafts were docked together. During the docking, they received phone calls from their national leaders, enjoyed a joint meal, exchanged gifts, country flags and then the United Nations flag. They then spent a few days conducting earth observations and experiments gathering data.
The Apollo-Soyuz mission marked a major moment of scientific and political cooperation between the United States of America and the Soviet Union as the first international space flight. The United Nations flag was included in this exchange as recognition of all humankind’s achievements in space and beyond any particular national accomplishment. The United Nations flag was brought into space aboard the Soviet Soyuz vessel, and was brought back to Earth aboard the American Apollo spaceship. The flag was then gifted by the returning crew to the United Nations.
The International Space crew was Soyuz’s cosmonauts Alexey Leonov and Valery Kubasov and then Apollo’s astronauts Thomas Stafford, Vance Brand and Donald Slayton.
The Apollo-Soyuz Space Project was a significant collaborative achievement, in both scientific and political terms. It was the first time a spacecraft of two nations docked together in orbit.
The project showcased the scientific progression of both nations who sought dominance during the Space Race and served as a moment of reconciliation on the international and galactic stage.
The project demonstrated cooperation for greater space exploration and resulted in improved international relations and personal relations as well. The two crews remained lifelong friends.