Three astronauts and one cosmonaut aboard the SpaceX Dragon Endurance docked with the International Space Station Thursday.
The Dragon Endurance arrived with NASA’s Nicole Mann and Josh Cassada, Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata and Anna Kikina, Russia’s lone female cosmonaut, according to Space.com.
SpaceX's Crew-5 astronaut mission arrives at the International Space Station https://t.co/EEIRHTxlTv pic.twitter.com/8OyjcYHKea
— SPACE.com (@SPACEdotcom) October 6, 2022
According to The Associated Press, the docking occurred 260 miles over the Atlantic, just off the west coast of Africa.
Kikina is the first Russian to fly on a private American spacecraft and is also the first Russian to fly on a U.S. rocket in 20 years, according to NASA.
“We’re so glad to do it together,” said Kikina offering thanks in both English and Russian.
Welcome to the International Space Station, #Crew5!
— NASA (@NASA) October 6, 2022
The crew, including NASA's @AstroDuke, commander, and @Astro_Josh, pilot, will spend several months aboard the orbiting laboratory, conducting more than 200 experiments. Follow @Space_Station for updates. pic.twitter.com/W2yBybbdyM
Kikina joins two Russians already at the orbiting outpost. She’ll live and work on the Russian side until March before returning to Earth in the same SpaceX capsule.
Three Americans and one Italian who have been at the ISS for nearly a year and a half will return to Earth in a SpaceX capsule next week.
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