The Apollo–Soyuz Test Project was a groundbreaking mission that took place during an era marked by intense competition in space exploration between the United States and the Soviet Union. This mission was the culmination of years of efforts toward détente in the Cold War relationship and was aimed at establishing a framework for future cooperation in space. Launched on July 15, 1975, the Apollo spacecraft lifted off from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, while the Soyuz spacecraft launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The two spacecraft would eventually rendezvous in Earth orbit, allowing for the first international docking of spacecraft.Upon reaching orbit, the Apollo and Soyuz crews conducted joint activities, including transferring items between the two ships, and even a handshake between Stafford and Leonov, symbolizing the possibility of future collaboration. The mission lasted for nine days, with Apollo successfully returning to Earth on July 24, marking the end of the Apollo program and the last flight for the Saturn family of rockets, which had achieved numerous milestones including the moon landings. The mission's scientific objectives included various experiments, which paved the way for future cooperative efforts in space.The Apollo–Soyuz mission showcased advancements in technology and interoperability of various space systems and played a key role in establishing a productive dialogue between the two nations that would yield further collaboration, as seen in later programs such as the Shuttle-Mir partnership and the International Space Station endeavors. Through this unifying voyage, both nations underscored their commitment to peaceful exploration beyond Earth.