Global

US, Russian Astronauts Begin Joint Six-Month Mission To International Space Station

A SpaceX rocket carrying three American astronauts and one Russian cosmonaut has successfully launched from Florida, embarking on a six-month mission to the International Space Station (ISS).

Despite strained relations between the US and Russia due to the conflict in Ukraine, space exploration remains an area of close cooperation between the two nations.

The crew, consisting of three men and one woman, is aboard a SpaceX capsule previously used four times by Elon Musk’s aerospace company.

Their mission encompasses a range of experiments, including growing artificial replicas of human organs to study degenerative diseases in the unique low-gravity environment of space—an endeavour impossible to replicate on Earth.

The launch, initially scheduled for Saturday, faced postponement due to adverse weather conditions, specifically strong winds. However, the team successfully lifted off from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida at 22:53 local time (04:53 WAT on Monday).

Leading the mission is Matthew Dominick, accompanied by fellow American Jeanette Epps and Russian Alexander Grebenkin, who is making his maiden voyage into space. Joining them is physician Michael Barratt, undertaking his third visit to the ISS.

The International Space Station serves as a rare beacon of international cooperation, overseen and maintained by space agencies from Canada, Europe, Japan, the United States, and Russia.

Ozioma Samuel-Ugwuezi

Follow us on:

Ozioma Samuel-Ugwuezi

Recent Posts

President Tinubu Orders Probe Into Prosecution Of Minors From #EndBadGovernance Protests

President Tinubu has ordered an investigation into the arrest, prosecution of minors involved in #EndBadGovernance…

9 hours ago

Musk’s Lawyer Defends $1M-a-Day Giveaway, Denies Illegal Lottery Claims

Musk's $1M giveaway is under legal scrutiny in a Pennsylvania court case as it targets…

9 hours ago

Badenoch Unveils Shadow Cabinet with Jenrick As Shadow Justice Secretary, Patel As Shadow Foreign Secretary

Kemi Badenoch has appointed former rivals Jenrick, Patel, and Stride to senior roles in her…

9 hours ago

Boeing Workers Vote On New Contract To End Seven-Week Strike

Boeing workers voted Monday on a new contract to end a seven-week strike

9 hours ago

Former Delta Governor Ifeanyi Okowa Arrested By EFCC For Alleged N1.3 Trillion Diversion

EFCC has arrested ex-Delta governor Ifeanyi Okowa for alleged misuse of oil derivation funds, diverting…

10 hours ago

Search for Missing Persons Continues After Deadly Valencia Floods

Barcelona faces severe flooding as search and rescue efforts continue.

12 hours ago