Talk about a speedy commute! A Soyuz MS-26 spacecraft carrying two Russian cosmonauts and an American astronaut docked with the International Space Station (ISS) just 3 hours after blasting off from Kazakhstan Wednesday. 🛰️
Commander Alexey Ovchinin, alongside crewmates Ivan Vagner and NASA veteran Donald Pettit, completed their journey with just two Earth orbits – a major upgrade from traditional multi-day trips. The drama-free launch came as a relief after Russia’s March mission was scrapped mid-countdown due to technical issues. 💥➡️✅
New arrivals will join 10 crewmembers already aboard, including NASA astronauts like Boeing Starliner’s Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams. Their return to Earth has been delayed to 2025 after helium leaks plagued their June mission – they’ll now hitch a ride with SpaceX instead. 🚀➡️🌎
The ISS currently hosts one of its most globally diverse teams: seven Americans, four Russians, and Alexander Grebenkin representing Russia’s Roscosmos. Science experiments, maintenance marathons, and epic Earth views await! 🔬📸
