(Above) This is an artist’s concept depicting the Soviet Apollo Soyuz Test Project (ASTP) Soyuz spacecraft in Earth orbit.

The three major components of the Soyuz are the spherical-shaped Orbital Module on which the letters CCCP (USSR) are printed, the bell-shaped Descent Vehicle in the center, and the cylindrical-shaped Instrument Assembly Module from which two solar panels protrude. The docking system on the Orbital Module was specially designed to interface with the docking system on NASA’s Apollo Docking Module.

This painting was done by artist Paul Fjeld.

The American Apollo Soyuz Test Project (ASTP) crewmen search the skies for the Soviet Soyuz spacecraft in this humorous artwork by Cosmonaut Aleksey A. Leonov.

Astronauts Vance D. Brand, Donald K. Slayton and Thomas P. Stafford (left to right) sit astride the Apollo spacecraft and Docking Module ready to lasso Soyuz.

This is a 1975 artist’s concept illustrating a cutaway view of the docked Apollo and Soyuz spacecraft in Earth orbit.

This scene depicts the moment the two international crews meet in space for the first time. Two of the three American crewmen are in the Docking Module. The two Soviet crewmen are in the Soyuz spacecraft’s Orbital Module. The two crew commanders are shaking hands through the hatchway. The third American crewman is in the Apollo Command Module.

Painting by Davis Meltzer.

This artist painting depicts the first international docking in space.

The Apollo-Soyuz Test Project (ASTP) was designed to test the compatibility of rendezvous and docking systems for American and Soviet spacecraft, to open the way for international space rescue and future joint manned flights.

This was the last US manned space flight before the launch of Space Shuttle Columbia in 1981.

Image Credit: NASA