The International Space Station is awaiting the arrival of crew members.
On April 20 (Thursday) at 13:13 (0713 GMT) the Soyuz MS-04 space capsule was launched from the launch complex in Kazakhstan. The goal is to deliver astronaut Jack Fisher and Russian cosmonaut Fyodor Yurchikhin to the ISS. After 9 minutes, they went into orbit and after 6 hours docked with the space station, where Peggy Whitson, Oleg Novitsky and Thomas Peske are waiting for them.
Monday is an important date, as Whitson will be the first woman to spend 535 days in space. This is not only a record mark for the female, but also for any astronaut. Therefore, congratulations from colleagues and official speech from Donald Trump (President of the United States) are expected. Now the record remains for Jeffrey Williams. At 57, Whitson is also the oldest woman in space. In September, she will return to Earth. For Fisher and Yurchikhina this is the 5th flight, which will last 4 months. In September, their return is also scheduled.
Jack Fisher and Fedor Yurchikhin communicate with the public before launching the rocket.
Fyodor Yurchikhin gestures with relatives from the bus.
Yurchikhin waves his hand next to the rocket.
Jack Fisher waves to the public before takeoff.
Rocket launch
Rocket takeoff
