Successful Launch of U.S. and Russian Three-Member Crew Towards International Space Station

Successful Launch of U.S. and Russian Three-Member Crew Towards International Space Station

Moscow — On Tuesday, NASA astronaut Johnny Kim and his two Russian crewmates successfully launched towards the International Space Station aboard a Russian spacecraft.

The Soyuz booster rocket was launched on schedule from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, sending the Soyuz MS-27 spacecraft into orbit. After nearly three hours, the crew plans to reach the International Space Station.

Kim, along with Russia's Sergey Ryzhikov and Alexei Yubritskiy, will spend a total of eight months in space. NASA reported that Kim will conduct scientific research and technical tests, which will contribute to preparations for future space missions and benefits for life on Earth. Kim, a resident of Los Angeles, is a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy, a trained pilot for naval aviation, and a flight surgeon.

Kim, Ryzhikov, and Yubritskiy will join NASA astronauts Don Pettit, Anne McClain, and Nichole Ayers, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Russian cosmonauts Alexei Ovchinin, Ivan Vagner, and Kirill Peskov aboard the International Space Station.