Space: a Russian astronaut in the next SpaceX rocket to the ISS

The International Space Station, pictured October 4, 2018. REUTERS - HANDOUT

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After American astronaut Franck Rubio, who flew to the International Space Station with a Russian Soyuz, it is now up to cosmonaut Anna Kikina to take off from the United States, Wednesday October 5 at 6 p.m. Paris time.

The SpaceX rocket will launch from Cape Canaveral. 

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The take-off on September 21 of the two cosmonauts Serguei Prokopiev and Dimitri Peteline as well as the American Franck Rubio had already shown it: whatever the geopolitical situation on Earth, space remains an area in which international cooperation still exists a minimum.

New example, Wednesday October 5, with the Russian cosmonaut Anna Kikina who will sit at the top of the 70 meters of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.

Two Americans, Nicole Mann and Josh Cassada as well as the Japanese Koichi Wakata will take place with her aboard the Crew Dragon capsule. 

Firing engines from Cape Canaveral bound for the International Space Station.

This is the first time a Russian has boarded the craft.

The country had been reluctant until now and was waiting for more perspective.

This is only the sixth manned mission of the capsule developed by Elon Musk's company. 

Apart from this symbol, the mission of the only female cosmonaut in service will be classic.

Six months aboard the ISS, a rotation like the others, during which she should however participate in an extra vehicular outing, in spacesuit, in space. 

► To read also: Astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti, first European woman to take control of the ISS

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  • Space

  • Russia

  • United States

  • ISS

  • Elon Musk