A major plot point of the movie 2010: The Year We Make Contact (the oft overlooked sequel to 2001) was that a joint mission of Soviets and Americans is sent on a Soviet ship to investigate the fate of the Discovery.
Back on Earth, a major conflict between the US and the USSR arises, causing them to kick the Americans off the ship and have them stay on the Discovery instead.
This conflict wasn't in the book, it was added because in the year it was made, 1984, it made the movie seem topical.
A major plot point of the movie 2010: The Year We Make Contact (the oft overlooked sequel to 2001) was that a joint mission of Soviets and Americans is sent on a Soviet ship to investigate the fate of the Discovery.
Back on Earth, a major conflict between the US and the USSR arises, causing them to kick the Americans off the ship and have them stay on the Discovery instead.
This conflict wasn't in the book, it was added because in the year it was made, 1984, it made the movie seem topical.