DOCKING! The Soyuz TMA-05M spacecraft has docked to the Rassvet module of the space station, delivering NASA's Suni Williams, Russian cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko and Aki Hoshide of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency to the international outpost for their four-month mission. The docking occurred as the space station flew over Kazakhstan at an altitude of 252 miles.

Over the next few minutes, the Soyuz docking probe will retract to allow hooks and latches to bring the spacecraft to a firm seal with the station. Hatches between the two vehicles will be opened around 3:25 a.m. EDT. 0451 GMT (12:51 a.m. EDT)

The docking probe on the front of Soyuz has retracted, allowing the hooks and latches to close and form a seal between the capsule and station. Pressure and leak checks will be performed over the next orbit before the hatchway is opened for the crew to enter into the station at 3:25 a.m. EDT (0725 GMT). 0453 GMT (12:53 a.m. EDT)

The outpost's Expedition 32 crew is comprised of three Russians and two Americans and a Japanese astronaut. The outpost is back to the full 6-person-strong operating team. 0458 GMT (12:58 a.m. EDT)

The hatchway between the Soyuz spacecraft and the station was opened at 3:23 a.m. EDT.

Welcome aboard! The newest residents have floated into the International Space Station from their Soyuz capsule for the formal ceremony. Also participating via a live communications linkup are the VIPs gathered on the balcony in Russia's mission control center outside Moscow.

 

Earth Changes Media


Mitch Battros | 



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