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The handshake in Space

How Russian cosmonauts and American astronauts met up in space and shook hands during the Cold War.

In 1975, Russian cosmonauts and American astronauts met up in space and shook hands. Millions watched on TV as the two spacecraft docked together and the door between the ships opened. The handshake between the two Cold War superpowers was hailed as a symbol of efforts towards peace and stability. Nick Holland tells the story with the help of former NASA chief historian, Bill Barry.

(Photo The Handshake in Space. Credit: AFP/Getty Images)

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9 minutes

Last on

Fri 8 Apr 202202:50GMT
BBC World Service

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