Apollo–Soyuz Spacecraft Docking, 50th Anniversary
Newsletter no. 120.pdf
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.
For this stamp, KEP also issues a postcard, which is used to realize a
maximum card.
Stamp description
No. 252. 200 KGS. Apollo-Soyuz Spacecraft Docking
Technical specifications
Paper: coated, gummed, 105 g/m².Printing method: full-color offset lithography.
Stamp perforation: comb 14:14½.
Stamp size: 46 × 27.5 mm.
Stamp is issued in minisheets of 5 stamps with one label.
Minisheet size: 113 × 108 mm.
Quantity issued: 7 500 stamps.
Artist: Nadezhda Kornitsel.
Designer: Daria Maier.
Printer House: "Nova Imprim" (Chișinău, Moldova).
A special cancellation on FDC will be carried out at the Bishkek KEP Office (729001) on the stamp issuing day.
The first day cover, postcard and special postmark
are designed by Daria Maier.
Artist: Nadezhda Kornitsel.
Cover size: С6 (162 × 114 mm).
Quantity of covers and postcards issued: 400 pieces each.
Endorsing ink color: black.
Stamps, maximum cards and FDCs can be purchased here.
