Russia, which remains the only country able to transport humans to the ISS, has been trying for years to rebuild its space industry, a source of immense pride in the Soviet era, but which has been ruined after fall of the USSR.

An unmanned Soyuz spacecraft carrying the Russian humanoid robot Fedor docked at the International Space Station (ISS), a commentator on Nasa TV said Tuesday.

"Confirmed contact, docking confirmed," said this commentator on the television channel of the US space agency. A first attempt at stowage failed Saturday.