On Saturday, the Russian Soyuz rocket successfully launched three astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) after an aborted launch on Thursday. NASA astronaut Tracy Dyson, along with Russian Oleg Novitsky and Marina Vasilevskaya of Belarus, were on board the spacecraft.
The space capsule separated from the rocket and went into orbit just eight minutes after the launch. The crew is expected to join the current members of the ISS and will return to Earth on April 6.
The ISS is seen as a symbol of international cooperation, especially in light of tensions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. NASA and its partners are hopeful to continue operating the ISS until 2030.
The launch on Thursday was aborted due to a voltage drop in the power source, which was a significant mishap for the Russian space programme. This was the first launch failure for Russia’s manned programme in over three decades.
The docking of the spacecraft with the ISS is now scheduled for Monday at 15:10 GMT. The crew will have a two-day journey with 34 orbits before reaching the station.
The successful launch is a relief for all involved, and the crew’s safe arrival at the ISS will be a major milestone in space exploration. Stay tuned for updates on their mission on our site ‘Road Rug Cars’.
“Travel aficionado. Incurable bacon specialist. Tv evangelist. Wannabe internet enthusiast. Typical creator.”