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US astronaut Chris Cassidy, left, Russian cosmonauts Anatoly Ivanishin, center, and Ivan Vagner, members of the main crew of the expedition to the International Space Station (ISS) (Image: Roscosmos Space Agency Press Service via AP)
CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida – Three astronauts flew to the International Space Station on Thursday, leaving the virus-ridden planet with little fanfare and no family members at the launch site to say goodbye.
Chris Cassidy of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and Russians Anatoly Ivanishin and Ivan Vagner arrived at the orbital laboratory in their Soyuz capsule six hours after taking off from Kazakhstan. They were joined by two Americans and a Russian who will return to Earth in a week.
There was no social distance 260 miles (420 km): As they floated on the space station one by one, the new astronauts hugged the three who were already there. They had been in pre-launch quarantine for the past month.
The new crew members will remain on board through October, keeping the outpost operational until SpaceX launches a pair of NASA astronauts from Florida’s Kennedy Space Center as early as next month. It will be the first orbital launch of astronauts from the US. USA Since NASA’s space shuttle program ended in 2011.
Thursday’s takeoff was discreet even by Russian standards, given the coronavirus pandemic that swept the world. NASA televised the takeoff live as usual, but only a few employees of the Russia-based space agency were at the Baikonur Cosmodrome.
Crew members of the International Space Station welcome cosmonauts Ivan Vagner, center, Anatoly Ivanishin and astronaut Chris Cassidy, in hiding, as they leave the Soyuz capsule docked at the station. Image: NASA via AP
Cassidy’s wife, Peggy, saw the launch from NASA Mission Control in Houston. She returned home a few weeks ago, after saying goodbye to her husband at the cosmonaut headquarters in Star City, Russia.
“No virus is stronger than the human desire to explore,” NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine tweeted. “I am grateful to all the @NASA and @roscosmos teams for their dedication to making this launch a success.”
On the eve of liftoff, the astronauts said they felt fantastic after being in strict quarantine. The few crowds were mostly kept at a safe distance from the astronauts; Even the Orthodox priest who offered the customary blessing was several meters away.
“Obviously, we would love to have our families here with us, but it is what we understand we have to do to be safe,” Cassidy said Wednesday. “The entire world is also affected by the same crisis.”
Ivanishin added: “We have been completely isolated in this final stage of training.”
There was another twist, in addition to the coronavirus: Ivanishin and Vagner were assigned to flight just two months ago, after one of the original Russian crewmen suffered an eye injury.
Due to the latest crew swap, Ivanishin and Vagner had no clothes waiting for them on the space station. They took some additional sets with them on the Soyuz, with more to come to the next Russian supply ship later this month.
Officials from NASA and the Russian Space Agency were among the few targeting astronauts, protected behind a glass wall, before departing for the launch pad. The room is usually full of family, friends, and types of space programs; On Thursday, the rows of seats were almost empty. Journalists were among those who stayed away.
“It was an impressive launch and dock,” said NASA Mission Control from Houston after the crew arrived. “And while we wish everyone has to say goodbye to Baikonur, we know that his family and friends, and his NASA family, were watching all the way and couldn’t be more proud.”
“We are really happy to get here,” replied Cassidy, a Navy captain.
Newly arrived International Space Station crew members (Image: NASA via AP)
This is the third space flight for Cassidy and Ivanishin, and the first for Vagner.
Already on board, and returning to Earth on April 17, are Jessica Meir and Andrew Morgan of NASA, and Russian Oleg Skripochka.
The director of Roscosmos, Russia’s space agency, said earlier this week that nine employees tested positive for coronavirus. Roscosmos controls an extensive network of production plants and launch facilities, and has about 200,000 employees, said director Dmitry Rogozin, who attended Thursday’s launch. CL / /ra
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