Trio Including NASA Astronaut Blasts Off on Soyuz MS-29 from Baikonur

The Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft successfully launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Thursday, carrying NASA astronaut Anil Menon and Roscosmos cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina to the International Space Station, according to NASA. The rocket lifted off at 10:47 a.m. EDT (7:47 p.m. Baikonur time) and reached orbit as planned.

NASASoyuz Spacecraft Launches New Crew for Station Arrival Today

The crew will follow a two-orbit, three-hour journey before docking to the Prichal module, NASA reported. Hatches are expected to open shortly after docking, allowing the new arrivals to join the Expedition crew already aboard the station.

The launch marked another instance of cooperation between NASA and Roscosmos despite geopolitical tensions, with Democratic Underground noting that an American astronaut launched aboard a Roscosmos Soyuz spacecraft. This mission continues the long-standing partnership that sustains the International Space Station.

Democratic Underground9:45 a.m.: American Astronaut Launches Aboard Roscosmos Soyuz MS-29 to International Space Station

NASA provided coverage details for the arrival and subsequent activities. The MS-29 mission is part of the regular crew rotation that ensures continuous human presence in orbit, with the new crew set to spend several months conducting scientific experiments and station maintenance.