50 years of the historic Soyuz–Apollo docking: a celebration of space brotherhood and a reminder of peaceful cooperation
In 2025, the world community celebrates the 50th anniversary of a significant event – the first ever international docking of the Soviet spacecraft Soyuz—19 and the American Apollo, which took place on July 17, 1975. This project was not only a triumph of engineering, but also a symbol of cooperation between the two superpowers at the height of the Cold War. On May 5, 2025, a working group met to resolve organizational issues of the anniversary celebrations. The meeting was attended by cosmonaut pilot, Hero of Russia Valery Ivanovich Tokarev, President of the Russian-American Society for Friendship and Business Cooperation, Chairman of the Committee on Space Technology and Research and author of the Women’s Space Message Olga Afanasyeva, Director of the International Cooperation Division of the Agency for Strategic Initiatives Mikhail Makarov, socio-political commentator Mikhail Leontiev, representatives of the United States (John Fitzaptrick and Tim Tolkington), representatives of the diplomatic mission of the State of Bahrain, Sergey Dvoryanov, Vice President of the Russian-American Society for Friendship and Business Cooperation and Head of the Diplomatic Club “Amicability”, and representatives of culture (Anatoly Balchev, Yuri Safronov).
Olga Afanasyeva noted that the Soyuz–Apollo mission proved that space unites humanity. Today, when international cooperation in space is as necessary as air, we are once again remembering this lesson. Olga Afanasyev also recalled the ideas of Russian cosmism – only by uniting and relying on all sciences, as well as spirituality, will we go into deep space. Such global projects do not last for “five” minutes, but last for decades, because different generations speak about them in different countries.
Alexei Leonov (USSR, commander of Soyuz-19) once said: “We have proved that even in political storms it is possible to find a common language. There were no borders in orbit — only the Earth, fragile and beautiful, reminding us of the unity of humanity.” Valery Kubasov (USSR, flight engineer): “Technically it was a challenge, but the main thing turned out to be something else — a handshake through the hatch. At that moment, we stopped being competitors and became colleagues.” Thomas Stafford (USA, commander of the Apollo): “When I saw the inscription Soyuz in Russian, I understood: This is not just a connection, but a bridge between our countries. We wrote the story together.” Vance Brand (USA, pilot): “We were separated by languages, but united by science. Every orbit around the Earth is a reminder that cooperation is possible.” Modern cosmonauts continue the idea of cooperation in space and on earth, and call for the power of friendship to overcome emerging political differences. Because first of all we are human beings.