Satellite Passage

"Satellite Passage" by Theodore L. Thomas is a science fiction story set during the Cold War, where an American and a Russian satellite are on a collision course in space. The American crew members grapple with the decision to hold their position, refusing to change course out of national pride as political tensions run high. As the satellites draw closer, a crisis blooms when a Russian astronaut is set adrift. In a display of humanity that transcends national divides, one of the Americans uses his past skills to rescue the imperiled cosmonaut, leading to a silent, shared moment. The story ends on a note of subdued reflection, highlighting unexpected camaraderie against the backdrop of the competitive space race.