1995: US shuttle docks with Russian space station
US and Russian spacecraft successfully docked in orbit for the first time in 20 years, in June 1995.
The US shuttle Atlantis delivered a relief crew of two cosmonauts to the Russian Mir space station, signalling a new era of space co-operation between the two former Cold War rivals.
The crew of the US shuttle moved into the Mir for group photos, before presenting the cosmonauts with gifts of chocolate, fruit and flowers. The Russians gave the Americans gifts of bread and salt, the traditional symbols of welcome.
In 2001, the Mir space station returned to Earth after 15 years in space.
大象传媒 Archive: This 大象传媒 News report was originally broadcast on 29 July 1995.