A Russian cargo ship delivered a fresh load of fuel, food, and other supplies for the International Space Station on Tuesday, making it in record time.
The Progress MS-09 lifted off as scheduled at 3:51 a.m. (2151 GMT; 5:51 p.m. EDT Monday) from the Russia-leased Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The unmanned spacecraft loaded with nearly three tons of supplies docked at the station in automatic mode less than four hours after the launch.
It marked the first time such a fast-track approach was used. In the past, it took the Progress ships up to two days to reach the space outpost.
Russia's space agency Roscosmos said the faster maneuver became possible thanks to a new version of the Soyuz booster rocket, noting that it puts the ship into orbit with higher precision.
In this photo provided by Roscosmos Space Agency Press Service on Tuesday, July 10, 2018, Russian cargo ship Souz 2,1A takes off from the launch pad at Russia's main space facility in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. A Russian cargo ship has delivered a fresh load of fuel, food, and other supplies for the International Space Station. The Progress MS-09 lifted off as scheduled at 3:51 a.m. Tuesday (5:51 p.m. EDT Monday) from the Russia-leased Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. (Roscosmos Space Agency Press Service photo via AP)
NASA said that the fast trip to the station was intended to test an expedited capability that could be used on future Russian cargo and crew launch missions.
"It's a new achievement by our engineers," Russian cosmonaut Fyodor Yurchikhin said on state television. He added that after being tested on unmanned Progress vehicles the new fast approach will also be used by manned Soyus spacecraft that deliver crews to the station.
Roscosmos first tried to use the new maneuver last year, but it was aborted for technical reasons.
Roscosmos director Dmitry Rogozin hailed the faster rendezvous as a "big step forward" in a call with Russian crew on board the station after the docking.
In this photo provided by Roscosmos Space Agency Press Service on Tuesday, July 10, 2018, Russian cargo ship Souz 2,1A takes off from the launch pad at Russia's main space facility in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. A Russian cargo ship has delivered a fresh load of fuel, food, and other supplies for the International Space Station. The Progress MS-09 lifted off as scheduled at 3:51 a.m. Tuesday (5:51 p.m. EDT Monday) from the Russia-leased Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. (Roscosmos Space Agency Press Service photo via AP)
Rogozin tweeted that the fast-track approach will be used in the future for assembling spacecraft in orbit for missions into deep space.
The station's current crew includes NASA astronauts Drew Feustel, Ricky Arnold and Serena Aunon-Chancellor, a European Space Agency astronaut from Germany, Alexander Gerst, and Russians Oleg Artemyev and Sergey Prokopyev.
COLOGNE, Germany (AP) — For the past year, five fit, academically superior men and women have been spun in centrifuges, submerged for hours, deprived temporarily of oxygen, taught to camp in the snow, and schooled in physiology, anatomy, astronomy, meteorology, robotics, and Russian.
On Monday, the five Europeans and an Australian graduated from basic training with a new title: astronaut.
At a ceremony in Cologne, Germany, ESA added the five newcomers to its astronaut corps eligible for missions to the International Space Station, bringing the total to 11.
ESA has negotiated with NASA for three places on future Artemis moon missions, although those places will likely go to the more senior astronauts, according to ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher. The agency is also supplying the service module for the Orion crew capsule. ESA relies on NASA and others to get its astronauts to space.
It is only the fourth astronaut class since 1978 for the 22-country agency, chosen from among 22,500 applicants. Another twelve were selected as reservists, but were not sent to basic training. Not surprisingly, the five have resumes studded with advanced scientific and medical degrees, military training, experience flying planes, helicopters, gliders and balloons, and “leisure” activities like rowing, scuba diving, hiking, skydiving, cycling, sailing, and kayaking,
The group formed “a very good team" devoid of personal rivalry, said Aschbacher. “I told them, one of you will fly first and one will fly last, and they accepted that of course, but from the heart, not just lip service ... the team spirit is very pronounced."
Sophie Adenot, a French air force helicopter test pilot, said the group was “a fantastic crew and a fantastic team." The moment that struck her the most was leaving the airlock for underwater space walk simulation when the instructor said, “Welcome to space."
"And for me it was mind-blowing, I had goosebumps. ... In a few years it is going to be me in space, not in the water with safety divers."
When she was a girl dreaming of space travel, “I couldn’t count the number of people who told me, this dream will never come true. You have unrealistic dreams, and it will never happen. ... Listen to yourself and don't listen to people who don't believe in you.”
In addition to Adenot, the ESA class consists of:
— Pablo Alvarez Fernandez, a Spanish aeronautical engineer who has worked on the Rosalind Franklin Mars rover intended for a joint mission with Russia that was suspended after the invasion of Ukraine;
— Rosemary Coogan, a British astronomer who has researched radiation emissions from black holes;
— Raphael Liegeois, a Belgian biomedical engineer and neuroscientist who has researched degenerative diseases of the nervous system, and also flies hot-air balloons and gliders;
— Marco Alain Sieber, a Swiss emergency physician who achieved sergeant rank as a paratrooper during his service with the Swiss army.
The group was joined by Katherine Bennell-Pegg from Australia, who underwent training under a cooperation agreement between Australia and ESA. She remains an employee of the Australian Space Agency. It's up to the Australian agency to find a way for her to travel in space.
Their yearlong basic training included preparation for the hostile environment encountered in space. They were exposed to multiple times the force of gravity in a centrifuge, and spent hours underwater using scuba gear to float around mockups of space station modules to simulate working in zero gravity.
They learned how to recognize symptoms of hypoxia, or lack of oxygen, by experiencing it themselves in a low-pressure chamber. Survival training included dealing with potential splashdown in the ocean and staying warm in winter while waiting to be recovered in case a landing goes off course. On top of that came academic work on scientific topics and learning about the space station's modules and equipment.
Intensive Russian language is still part of the program, even though ESA has suspended work with Russia except for the space station, where one of the working languages is Russian.
Astronauts crew leader Alexander Geerst, left, sits with candidates of the Class of 2022 at the graduation ceremony at the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany, Monday, April 22, 2024. ESA astronaut candidates Sophie Adenot of France, Pablo Alvarez Fernandez of Spain, Rosemary Coogan of Britain, Raphael Liegeois of Belgium and Marco Sieber of Switzerland took up duty at the European Astronaut Centre one year ago to be trained to the highest level of standards as specified by the International Space Station partners. Also concluding a year of astronaut basic training is Australian astronaut candidate Katherine Bennell-Pegg, who has trained alongside ESA's candidates. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg of Australia shows the Columbus training module after the candidates of the Class of 2022 graduation ceremony at the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany, Monday, April 22, 2024. ESA astronaut candidates Sophie Adenot of France, Pablo Alvarez Fernandez of Spain, Rosemary Coogan of Britain, Raphael Liegeois of Belgium and Marco Sieber of Switzerland took up duty at the European Astronaut Centre one year ago to be trained to the highest level of standards as specified by the International Space Station partners. Also concluding a year of astronaut basic training is Australian astronaut candidate Katherine Bennell-Pegg, who has trained alongside ESA's candidates. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Astronauts crew leader Alexander Geerst, left, hands over the badge to Rosemary Coogan of Britain at the candidates of the Class of 2022 graduation ceremony at the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany, Monday, April 22, 2024. ESA astronaut candidates Sophie Adenot of France, Pablo Alvarez Fernandez of Spain, Rosemary Coogan of Britain, Raphael Liegeois of Belgium and Marco Sieber of Switzerland took up duty at the European Astronaut Centre one year ago to be trained to the highest level of standards as specified by the International Space Station partners. Also concluding a year of astronaut basic training is Australian astronaut candidate Katherine Bennell-Pegg, who has trained alongside ESA's candidates. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Astronauts crew leader Alexander Geerst, left, hands over the badge to Raphael Liegeois of Belgium at the candidates of the Class of 2022 graduation ceremony at the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany, Monday, April 22, 2024. ESA astronaut candidates Sophie Adenot of France, Pablo Alvarez Fernandez of Spain, Rosemary Coogan of Britain, Raphael Liegeois of Belgium and Marco Sieber of Switzerland took up duty at the European Astronaut Centre one year ago to be trained to the highest level of standards as specified by the International Space Station partners. Also concluding a year of astronaut basic training is Australian astronaut candidate Katherine Bennell-Pegg, who has trained alongside ESA's candidates. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Katherine Bennell-Pegg of Australia waves as she shows her certificate at the candidates of the Class of 2022 graduation ceremony at the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany, Monday, April 22, 2024. ESA astronaut candidates Sophie Adenot of France, Pablo Alvarez Fernandez of Spain, Rosemary Coogan of Britain, Raphael Liegeois of Belgium and Marco Sieber of Switzerland took up duty at the European Astronaut Centre one year ago to be trained to the highest level of standards as specified by the International Space Station partners. Also concluding a year of astronaut basic training is Australian astronaut candidate Katherine Bennell-Pegg, who has trained alongside ESA's candidates. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
From left, Rosemary Cooga of Britain, Sophie Adenot of France, Raphael Liegeois of Belgium, Pablo Alvarez Fernandez of Spain, Marco Sieber of Switzerland, and Katherine Bennell-Pegg of Australia, from left, hold there certificates at the graduation ceremony of astronaut candidates of the Class of 2022 at the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany, Monday, April 22, 2024. The new ESA astronauts took up duty at the European Astronaut Centre one year ago to be trained to the highest level of standards as specified by the International Space Station partners. Also concluding a year of astronaut basic training is Australian astronaut candidate Katherine Bennell-Pegg, who has trained alongside ESA's candidates. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Spanish Minister of Science and Innovation Diana Morant, left, makes a selfie with astronaut Pablo Alvarez Fernandez of Spain at the candidates of the Class of 2022 graduation ceremony at the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany, Monday, April 22, 2024. ESA astronaut candidates Sophie Adenot of France, Pablo Alvarez Fernandez of Spain, Rosemary Coogan of Britain, Raphael Liegeois of Belgium and Marco Sieber of Switzerland took up duty at the European Astronaut Centre one year ago to be trained to the highest level of standards as specified by the International Space Station partners. Also concluding a year of astronaut basic training is Australian astronaut candidate Katherine Bennell-Pegg, who has trained alongside ESA's candidates. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Katherine Bennell-Pegg, center, of Australia is congratulated by ESA head of robotic and human exploration Daniel Neuenschwander, left, at the candidates of the Class of 2022 graduation ceremony at the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany, Monday, April 22, 2024. ESA astronaut candidates Sophie Adenot of France, Pablo Alvarez Fernandez of Spain, Rosemary Coogan of Britain, Raphael Liegeois of Belgium and Marco Sieber of Switzerland took up duty at the European Astronaut Centre one year ago to be trained to the highest level of standards as specified by the International Space Station partners. Also concluding a year of astronaut basic training is Australian astronaut candidate Katherine Bennell-Pegg, who has trained alongside ESA's candidates. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
ESA director Josef Aschbacher, left, stands with Marco Sieber of Switzerland, center, at the candidates of the Class of 2022 graduation ceremony at the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany, Monday, April 22, 2024. ESA astronaut candidates Sophie Adenot of France, Pablo Alvarez Fernandez of Spain, Rosemary Coogan of Britain, Raphael Liegeois of Belgium and Marco Sieber of Switzerland took up duty at the European Astronaut Centre one year ago to be trained to the highest level of standards as specified by the International Space Station partners. Also concluding a year of astronaut basic training is Australian astronaut candidate Katherine Bennell-Pegg, who has trained alongside ESA's candidates. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Astronaut Rosemary Coogan of Britain speaks during the candidates of the Class of 2022 graduation ceremony at the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany, Monday, April 22, 2024. ESA astronaut candidates Sophie Adenot of France, Pablo Alvarez Fernandez of Spain, Rosemary Coogan of Britain, Raphael Liegeois of Belgium and Marco Sieber of Switzerland took up duty at the European Astronaut Centre one year ago to be trained to the highest level of standards as specified by the International Space Station partners. Also concluding a year of astronaut basic training is Australian astronaut candidate Katherine Bennell-Pegg, who has trained alongside ESA's candidates. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg of Australia smiles during the candidates of the Class of 2022 graduation ceremony at the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany, Monday, April 22, 2024. ESA astronaut candidates Sophie Adenot of France, Pablo Alvarez Fernandez of Spain, Rosemary Coogan of Britain, Raphael Liegeois of Belgium and Marco Sieber of Switzerland took up duty at the European Astronaut Centre one year ago to be trained to the highest level of standards as specified by the International Space Station partners. Also concluding a year of astronaut basic training is Australian astronaut candidate Katherine Bennell-Pegg, who has trained alongside ESA's candidates. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Marco Sieber of Switzerland arrives to an interview after the candidates of the Class of 2022 graduation ceremony at the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany, Monday, April 22, 2024. ESA astronaut candidates Sophie Adenot of France, Pablo Alvarez Fernandez of Spain, Rosemary Coogan of Britain, Raphael Liegeois of Belgium and Marco Sieber of Switzerland took up duty at the European Astronaut Centre one year ago to be trained to the highest level of standards as specified by the International Space Station partners. Also concluding a year of astronaut basic training is Australian astronaut candidate Katherine Bennell-Pegg, who has trained alongside ESA's candidates. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
From left, Sophie Adenot of France, Raphael Liegeois of Belgium, Rosemary Cooga of Britain, Pablo Alvarez Fernandez of Spain, Katherine Bennell-Pegg of Australia and Marco Sieber of Switzerland, stand at the graduation ceremony of astronaut candidates of the Class of 2022 at the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany, Monday, April 22, 2024. The new ESA astronauts took up duty at the European Astronaut Centre one year ago to be trained to the highest level of standards as specified by the International Space Station partners. Also concluding a year of astronaut basic training is Australian astronaut candidate Katherine Bennell-Pegg, who has trained alongside ESA's candidates. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
From left, Rosemary Cooga of Britain, Sophie Adenot of France, Raphael Liegeois of Belgium, Pablo Alvarez Fernandez of Spain, Katherine Bennell-Pegg of Australia and Marco Sieber of Switzerland, pose for a family photo at the graduation ceremony of astronaut candidates of the Class of 2022 at the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany, Monday, April 22, 2024. The new ESA astronauts took up duty at the European Astronaut Centre one year ago to be trained to the highest level of standards as specified by the International Space Station partners. Also concluding a year of astronaut basic training is Australian astronaut candidate Katherine Bennell-Pegg, who has trained alongside ESA's candidates. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
