Russian "Union MS-16" spacecraft successfully docked with the International Space Station
Xinhua News Agency, Moscow, April 9: After about 6 hours of flight, the Russian "Union MS-16" spacecraft successfully docked with the International Space Station on the 9th and sent three astronauts from Russia and the United States to the space station.
According to the news released by the Russian Aerospace Corporation website on the 9th, the "Union-2.1a" rocket carrying the "Union MS-16" spacecraft was launched from the Baikonur launch site in Kazakhstan at noon on the 9th and entered a predetermined orbit. After the spacecraft broke away from the rocket, it orbited the earth about 4 times in fast flight docking mode and caught up with the International Space Station. Under the supervision of the ground flight control center near Moscow, the spacecraft automatically docked with the International Space Station's "Exploration" experimental cabin at 17:13 on 9th Moscow time (22:13 on 9th Beijing time).
After checking the tightness of the spacecraft compartment and adjusting the air pressure on both sides of the interface, Russian astronauts Anatoly Ivanishin, Ivan Wagner and American astronaut Christopher Cassidy from the "Union MS- The 16 "spacecraft was transferred to the space station.
According to the plan, the three astronauts will be stationed on the International Space Station for 196 days. They will greet two Russian ships, one Japanese ship and one American ship for the space station. In addition, the first American "Dragon" spacecraft carrying astronauts is expected to fly to the International Space Station in May this year. It is expected that these three astronauts will return to Earth in October this year.
According to the RIA Novosti report on the 9th, in order to prevent the infection of the new crown virus, three astronauts had received medical isolation observation after arriving at the Baikonur launch site earlier. In the past, astronauts visited Baikonur monuments before taking off, and offered flowers to the monument of the world ’s first astronaut Gagarin. Relatives of astronauts were not allowed to see off at the Baikonur launch site, and media reporters were not allowed to report the launch.