Russia launches American and two cosmonauts on space station mission
The mission carries Indian schoolchildren’s artwork and will support long-duration research on human spaceflight and technology demonstrations, NASA said.
- On Tuesday, physician-astronaut Anil Menon launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan aboard the Roscosmos Soyuz MS-29, accompanied by Russian cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina for an eight-month mission to the International Space Station.
- NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman attended the launch, marking the first visit by a NASA chief to Baikonur in eight years and highlighting continued orbital cooperation between Washington and Moscow despite tensions over Russia's actions in Ukraine.
- The crew is expected to remain aboard the station for about 260 days, replacing the Soyuz MS-28 crew; extended stays help reduce cargo transport compared to the typical five to six month duration.
- Menon, a former SpaceX flight surgeon who helped establish medical protocols for commercial space flights, described crewmate Kikina as "100 percent full on energy" and noted her contributions energize the team.
- Facing an eight-month mission, Menon will miss his wife and children, ages 5 and 8. He reflected on his unexpected path to space, stating, "if you keep working at something, you should never count yourself out.
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Russia's Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft is being launched toward the International Space Station (ISS) from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on the 14th (local time). The spacecraft is carrying U.S. astronaut Anil Menon and Russians Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikkina. They are scheduled to carry out a mission alongside U.S. and European astronauts who arrived at the ISS earlier.
Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft blasts off to International Space Station
Russia's Soyuz MS-29 crewed spacecraft lifted off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 5:48 p.m. Moscow time (1448 GMT) on Tuesday, carrying two Russian cosmonauts and one US astronaut to the International Space Station (ISS).
Heartwarming photo shows astronaut Anil Menon's family waving as Soyuz launches
A photo captured Anil Menon's family waving as his Soyuz spacecraft lifted off for the International Space Station. It underscored the long separation and family support behind his eight-month mission.
Although the relationship between Russia and the West has deteriorated rapidly in recent years, this is one of the few areas where cooperation continues unabated.
The Ukraine war is straining relations between Russia and the US. Nevertheless, a Nasa leader travels to a Russian rocket launch in distant Kazakhstan.
On Earth, the US imposes sanctions on Russia – both countries cooperate in space. A Soyuz spaceship has brought a mixed trio to the ISS, including a man with Ukrainian roots.
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