50 Years Apollo-Soyuz: When USA and USSR Shook Hands in Space

On July 17, 1975, two spacecraft launched from opposite sides of the Cold War — one from Florida (Apollo), the other from Kazakhstan (Soyuz) — met in Earth’s orbit.

This historic docking wasn’t just a technical triumph; it was the first-ever joint space mission between the United States and the Soviet Union. Known as the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project, the mission marked a rare moment of Cold War cooperation, and a symbolic handshake between two rival superpowers — literally, in zero gravity.

For two days, Soviet and American astronauts shared meals, exchanged gifts, and conducted joint experiments aboard their docked spacecraft. The event wasn’t just political theatre; it was a hopeful vision of peaceful exploration beyond borders.

Back on Earth, this unity extended into surprising places — like consumer products. One standout was the Apollo-Soyuz cigarette pack, a real collaboration between America’s Phillip Morris and the Soviet Yava factory. These cigarettes became an instant collector’s item and a bizarre but fascinating symbol of détente through design.

To celebrate this moment of shared humanity and orbital diplomacy, sovisual.art is releasing a limited edition Soyuz-Apollo T-shirt, featuring bold Soviet-American visuals and mission insignia. The shirt is part tribute, part artifact — and entirely iconic.

Subscribe and check back soon for the official launch and own a piece of space history and Cold War culture.