Russian cosmonaut launched from the United States on Wednesday for The first time in 20 years, blasting off to the International Space Station (ISS) alongside NASA and Japanese astronauts, despite tensions over the war in Ukraine.
“We are very happy to do this together,” said Anna Kikina, the only Russian cosmonaut. in In English and Russian. “Spacebo!”
She was among the three newcomers on The voyage, along with Marine Colonel Nicole Mann, and first Native American woman spinning around worldand Naval Captain Josh Cassada. they were joined By Koichi Wakata of the Japan Space Agency who He is making his fifth space flight.
“Fabulous!” Radio Man. “It was a smooth, arduous journey. You have three starters. who So happy to be floating in space Immediately.”
They are because of arrive In the space Thursday 29 . station hours Afternoon departure from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, and won back on Earth until March. They are replacing the Italian American crew that has arrived in April.
Hurricane Ian delays SpaceX flight that destroyed parts of the state last week.
“hopefull with This launch will light up up the heavens over Little Florida for Wakata said before the flight.
Kikina is the Russian space agency for Frank Rubio from NASA who fired to space Two weeks ago from Kazakhstan aboard a Soyuz rocket. he flew up with Two astronauts.
The space Agencies approved over Summer to swap seats on their trips in Yes ensure Continuing US and Russian presence aboard the 260-mile (420-kilometre altitude) outpost. Barter permission until global Hostilities escalated over Russia invasion of Ukraine in late February. The next crew exchange is in spring.
Shortly before takeoff, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said that key reason for Seat exchange is safety – in case of emergency one capsule crew homeThere is still an American and a Russian on board.
Meanwhile, Russia remains committed to space Through at least 2024, Russian space official Sergei Krikalev reassured reporters this week. Russia wants it build her own station in orbit later this decade”, but we know It’s not going to happen very quickly, so we’ll probably keep flying.” with NASA until then, he said.
beginning with Krekalef in 1994, NASA began flying astronauts on that it space shuttles, first Russia Mir space The station then to the fledgling space Station. The disaster of re-entry into Colombia in 2003 put an end to that. But the American astronauts kept riding on Russian missiles for tens of millions of dollars per seat.
Kakina is the fifth Russian woman to launch a missile off Universe. She said she was surprised by her choice for Exchange seats after facing “many tests and obstacles” during its contract of exercise. “But I did it. I lucky Can. “I am strong,” she said.
man member of Wailacki of Indian tribes Round Valley in California , took along mother’s dream catcher, a small traditional A webbed collar is believed to provide protection. Retired NASA astronaut John Herrington of I became a nation of Chickasaw first Native American in space in 2002.
“I am very proud of representing Native Americans and my heritage,” Mann said before the trip, adding that everyone on Her crew has unique my knowledge. “It is important to celebrate our diversity and also realize how It is important when we cooperate and unite, the amazing achievements we can achieve.”
as such for the war in Ukraine, Man said put all four politics And personal beliefs aside,” which is really cool how The common mission of The space Station just unites instantly us. “
Casada added, “We have a chance to set an example for the society on how to me work together and live Together and explore together. “
Elon Musk’s SpaceX has now launched eight crews since 2020: six for NASA and two private groups. Boeing, NASA’s other contracted taxi service, plans to make it first early astronaut flight next yearafter the delay in fix software And other issues that have been cropped up on test flights.
