China News Agency, Moscow, April 9 (Reporter Wang Xiujun) The Russian "MS-16" spacecraft docked with the International Space Station on the 9th and sent two Russian astronauts and one American astronaut to the space station.
The Russian Aerospace Group announced that the "Union-2.1a" rocket was launched from the Baikonur launch site on the same day, carrying the "Union MS-16" spacecraft. The docking of the "Exploration" experiment module of the International Space Station. After that, Russian astronauts Ivanishin, Wagner and American astronaut Cassidy entered the space station from the spacecraft.
The news said that the three astronauts will stay on the space station for 196 days. During this period, they will usher in two Russian "Progress" cargo ships, a Japanese "HTV-8" cargo ship and an American "Cygnus" ship. In addition, the first American "Dragon" spacecraft carrying astronauts may fly to the International Space Station in May this year.
Earlier, due to the new coronavirus epidemic, three astronauts held an online press conference in Moscow and were banned from participating in public events. Routines such as offering flowers to the Gagarin Monument, the world ’s first astronaut, were also cancelled. After arriving at the Baikonur launch site, the three astronauts underwent medical isolation observation. (Finish)