NASA astronaut Jonny Kim, along with his two cosmonaut colleagues, has officially arrived at the International Space Station (ISS). The trio traveled aboard the Russian Soyuz spacecraft and successfully docked with the orbiting laboratory on Tuesday, April 8, at 4:57 a.m. EDT (0857 GMT). This marks a significant milestone in their journey to the ISS, where they will contribute to various scientific missions.
The Soyuz rocket carrying Kim, Sergey Ryzhikov, and Alexey Zubritsky launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 1:47 a.m. EDT (0557 GMT; 10:47 a.m. local time). Their trip to the ISS was notably swift, showcasing the efficiency of the Soyuz spacecraft. Upon arrival, the hatches between the Soyuz and the ISS are anticipated to open around 7:20 a.m. EDT (1120 GMT) on Tuesday, allowing the astronauts to enter the station and begin their mission.
Space enthusiasts can watch this significant event live on Space.com, courtesy of NASA. Coverage will commence at 7:00 a.m. EDT (1100 GMT), providing viewers with the opportunity to witness the opening of the hatches and the astronauts' first moments aboard the ISS.
This mission marks the first spaceflight for both Jonny Kim, a medical doctor and former Navy SEAL, and Alexey Zubritsky. Notably, Kim is the first Korean-American astronaut to reach the ISS, representing a significant achievement in diversity within the space program. In contrast, Sergey Ryzhikov is a seasoned astronaut, embarking on his third mission after spending nearly a year on the ISS during his previous flights in 2016-2017 and 2020-2021.
The newly arrived crew will spend approximately eight months in orbit as integral members of the ISS's Expedition 72 and 73 missions. Their stay will involve conducting vital research, experiments, and maintenance aboard the ISS. If all goes according to plan, they are expected to return to Earth in December, concluding their groundbreaking mission.
