> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://messier.gitbook.io/catalogue-de-messier/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://messier.gitbook.io/catalogue-de-messier/messier-applications/open-hatch.md).

# Open Hatch

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On the 17th of July, 1975, two mission commanders, Stafford and Leonov, exchanged the first international handshake in space through the “open hatch” of the Soviet Soyuz 7K-TM spacecraft. Nasa publicly referred to this mission as Apollo 18; respectively, the mission under the Soviet Soyuz programme was given a number designation of Soyuz 19. The Apollo-Soyuz handshake was symbolic of something much more significant than simply being the first international handshake in space; it was a symbol of détente (the easing of hostility or strained relations) between two nations that were in opposition during the Cold War. In likeness to the Apollo-Soyuz handshake, through the use of OpenHatch, users will be able to shake hands on business arrangements so as to achieve a common goal.