The 1975 Apollo-Soyuz Test Project tested the waters for the U.S. and Russia in space-related collaborations. An Apollo capsule with three astronauts docked with a Soviet Soyuz capsule for two days of experiments and goodwill gestures

Teams of flight controllers, specialists and interpreters worked in both Moscow and Houston to train and conduct simulation exercises before the flight.

Before the mission began, each country developed joint flight plans, though each would be responsible for their own spacecraft and crew. Flight directors in each center worked with a joint flight director.

No emergencies arose during the mission, but both countries agreed that the joint flight director would make a decision based on the flight rules. In the event of a crew emergency, the crew in danger could call for an action to be taken and both centers would work on a solution.

The mission plan also said should the docked spacecraft lose contact, the commander of the Apollo and the Soyuz would reach a joint decision about any problem.