Soyuz-FG Rocket Docks ISS Successfully

A Russian space ship carrying a Russian cosmonaut and two US astronauts on Friday docked successfully with the International Space Station, mission control officials said.

Photo: Soyuz-FG Rocket Docks ISS Successfully

The Soyuz-FG rocket, which blasted off Wednesday for the ISS, carried Russian cosmonaut Fyodor Yurchikhin and US astronauts Shannon Walker and Douglas Wheelock who opened the airlocks some two hours after docking, AFP informs.

“You’ll have an awesome expedition, plenty of good work in front of you, enjoy your time, enjoy your friendship, the time will go by fast,” relayed Bill Gerstenmaier, director of space operations at NASA, as the newly combined crew welcomed one another. “But make sure you enjoy yourself,” he added. “Good work, and have a good time.”

The Soyuz mission blasted towards its orbital rendezvous on Wednesday, launching cleanly from an outpost in Kazakhstan, The Tech Herald says.