ASTP | Apollo-Soyuz Test Project by Bryan Bromstrup

Artist StatementIn July of 1975 the end of the Space Race was marked by the meeting of United States astronauts and Soviet cosmonauts met in space. This project involved docking of an Apollo Command Service Module with a Soviet Soyuz 19. Represented here by two spacemen sharing a look to the future of space exploration and more joint ventures to come. The ASTP mission was the last manned US mission until April 1981, when Space Shuttle Columbia made its maiden voyage. It also marked the only space flight for Deke Slayton, who was selected as an original Mercury Seven astronaut but later grounded for medical reasons. At the time of this flight, he became the oldest person to fly in space. — Bryan Bromstrup