In a significant event that fortifies international cooperation in space exploration, NASA astronaut Loral O’Hara and Russian cosmonauts Oleg Kononenko and Nikolai Chub successfully launched to the International Space Station (ISS) on September 15, 2023. The trio lifted off aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
The Launch Details
The launch was scheduled for 11:30 AM EDT (15:30 GMT) and was broadcast live. The spacecraft made one of the fastest-ever trips to the ISS, potentially arriving as soon as 2:56 PM EDT (18:56 GMT). The hatch opening followed around 4:45 PM EDT (20:45 GMT), allowing the new crew to join the existing Expedition 69 team on the ISS.
Relief Mission
This mission serves as a relief for NASA astronaut Frank Rubio and Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitry Petelin. Their mission was initially planned for six months but was extended to a year due to a leak in their Soyuz spacecraft. The new crew will take over their duties, allowing them to return to Earth.
Record-Setting Stay
In an unexpected turn of events, Rubio, Prokopyev, and Petelin set a new record for the longest stay in space, clocking in at 371 days. They are the first crew to spend more than a year on the ISS, a feat previously only achieved by cosmonauts on the Soviet-era Mir space station.
Key Takeaways
- The launch took place on September 15, 2023, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
- The mission serves as a relief for an existing crew that has been on the ISS for a record-setting 371 days.
- The event underlines the importance of international cooperation and advancements in space travel technology.
