- ESTABLISHING PRINCIPLES OF JOINT WORKING THAT LED THE WAY TO SOYUZ AND - ULTIMATELY - THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION -

U.S. — SOVIET COOPERATION IN SPACE (In January 1971, Acting NASA Administrator George M. Low visited the Soviet Academy of Sciences in Moscow with a small delegation, taking the next steps in the discussions to put an actual mission into the plan. Low proposed to the Russians to develop a common docking system for use with Apollo and Soyuz spacecraft in the near future, with consideration being given to a joint mission within the next five years. The two sides also reached agreement on cooperation in other areas, such as exchanging lunar samples and joint work in space biology and medicine. These agreements formed the groundwork for further discussions and for the May 1972 agreement at the Moscow summit).

A rare original NASA press kit announcing an agreement between the U.S. and the Soviet Union relating to collaboration in space exploration.

(Washington, D. C.), National Aeronautics and Space Administration [NASA], March 31, 1971. 20 pages (printed recto of leaves, versos left blank as per usual with NASA press kits). Comprised of 5-page agreement with facsimile signatures, and various shorter attachments, with lists of Soviet and U.S. delegates at rear. Vintage paperback, staple-bound. Size: 4to - approx. 26.7cm x 20.5cm / 10.5in x 8in.

Very Good condition. Light corner creasing. Minor oxidisation to staple. Pale (almost indiscernible) mark at foot of front page. Please ask if you require a more detailed condition report, or view gallery images closely.

A rare example of this NASA press kit announcing the milestone U.S — Soviet agreement in 1971 which was the precursor to other joint ventures such as the Soyuz mission in 1975.

Provenance: From the collection of amateur astronomer David J. Hasdell. Acquired at the time of the Lunar Orbiter missions. David had a relative who worked at the Boston Globe in the 1960s and who acquired items like this for him directly from NASA or its contractors.