NASA astronaut Jonny Kim, two cosmonauts dock with ISS
Capture between the rocket and the orbiting space laboratory was confirmed at 4:57 a.m. EDT over western Russian.
The spacecraft with its three crew members on board launched at 10:47 a.m. local time -- 1:47 a.m. EDT -- from the Russia-controlled Baikonur Cosmodrome in the former Soviet nation.
"Jonny Kim is now on his way to the International Space Station on his first spaceflight!" NASA's Johnson Space Center said on X as it celebrated the successful launch.
Kim is serving as a flight engineer for the Soyuz MS-27 mission, which flew 262 miles to the ISS.
The trio arrived at the ISS minutes earlier than the 5:03 a.m. EDT plan. Hatch opening is expected at about 7:20 a.m.
Kim and Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Alexey Zubritsky will join Expedition 72 and 73 crew members at the space station, where they will spend the next eight months performing what NASA called "cutting-edge research."
"While aboard the orbiting laboratory, Kim will conduct scientific investigations and technology demonstrations to help prepare the crew for future space missions and provide benefits to people on Earth," NASA said in an August press release.
With their arrival, the space station's population grows to 10 -- at least for the next 11 days. On April 19, NASA astronaut Don Pettit and Roscosmos cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner are scheduled to depart the ISS for Earth.
A U.S. Navy lieutenant commander and dual naval aviator and flight surgeon, Kim, who also served as a Navy SEAL, was selected as an astronaut in 2017.
"Behind every successful astronaut is an extraordinary team of dedicated individuals who truly care," Kim said in a post to X on launch day.
"At NASA, we're renowned for engineering excellence, groundbreaking research and pushing the boundaries of what's possible. But what truly sets us apart is our people. It's not the rockets, planes, satellites or science that define this agency -- it's the remarkable individuals who bring it all to life -- always has been, and always will be.
"So, to those who faithfully serve our public to make this possible: Thank you."
space station will grow to 10 for 11 days and change.
undocing so april 19 three people onboard in the early morning of april 20 in Kahzakstan.
capture 4:57 a.m. edt
flew 262 miles over RUssia.
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