On December 29, 2025 the Ministry of Digital Development and Innovative Technologies of the Kyrgyz Republic puts into circulation a Kyrgyz Express Post postage stamp: "Apollo–Soyuz Spacecraft Docking, 50th Anniversary".
The year 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of a major event in the history of space exploration: the first joint experimental crewed flight of astronauts from the United States and cosmonauts from the USSR, carried out under the Apollo–Soyuz Test Project (ASTP).
On July 17, 1975, the Soviet "Soyuz-19" spacecraft and the American "Apollo" successfully docked in Earth orbit, resulting in the famous "Handshake in Space" between representatives of the two space superpowers. The United States was represented by astronauts Thomas Stafford, Vance Brand and Donald Slayton, while the USSR was represented by cosmonauts Alexei Leonov and Valery Kubasov. During the docked mission, crew members performed four transfers between the two spacecraft. In addition to the symbolic handshake, the crews carried out several important scientific and technical experiments in orbit. After the successful completion of the mission, both crews returned safely to Earth.
The successful implementation of the Apollo–Soyuz program became a significant achievement in easing international tensions and a symbol of productive cooperation between states in the peaceful exploration and use of outer space. The first joint flight of U.S. astronauts and Soviet cosmonauts laid the foundation for the development of partnership in the peaceful exploration of space. It became the prologue to subsequent joint projects and programs, such as "Shuttle–Mir" and the International Space Station (ISS).
KEP hopes that the postage stamp dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the Apollo–Soyuz docking will contribute to the popularization and development of international cooperation in space exploration.
KEP expresses its sincere gratitude to Igor Rodin, former chairman of the FIP Section for Astrophilately, Secretary of the International Association of Philatelic Experts (A.I.E.P.), and Board Member of the European Academy of Philately, for his valuable consultation in preparing this commemorative postage stamp issue.
