NASA astronaut Tracy C. Dyson, Russian Space Agency astronaut Oleg Novitskiy and Belarusian space participant Marina Vasilyevskaya (Mar ina Vasilevskaya) aboard the Soyuz MS-25 spacecraft, which safely entered orbit after being launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 8:36 a.m. Eastern Time on March 23, 2024 (5:36 p.m. Baikonur time).
The Soyuz will dock with the space station's Prichar module at approximately 11:09 a.m. on Monday, March 25. About two hours after docking, the hatch between the Soyuz and the space station will open.
NASA will report on the docking beginning at 10:15 a.m. on NASA+, NASA TV, the NASA app, YouTube and the NASA website. Learn how to watch NASATV on various platforms, including social media.
The Soyuz spacecraft are a series of spacecraft designed by the Korolev Design Bureau (now RKKEnergia) in the 1960s for the Soviet space program. It has become one of the most reliable and commonly used launch vehicles in the history of space exploration. The Soyuz spacecraft is used to carry people and cargo to and from the International Space Station (ISS). It has been in service for more than 50 years and is the longest-serving spacecraft.
The Soyuz consists of three parts: the orbital module, which provides living space for the crew during the mission; the descent module, which houses the crew during launch, reentry and landing; and the service module, which contains the spacecraft's systems and supplies. It is known for its ruggedness and safety features, including a launch escape system to quickly evacuate the crew in the event of a launch emergency.
The Soyuz has undergone many upgrades and modifications during its service to adapt to new technological advances and mission requirements. Its enduring presence in space exploration symbolizes the success and tenacity of human spaceflight.
Compiled from:ScitechDaily