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| After Nasa ended its space shuttle programme, Soyuz has become the space taxi to ferry astronauts to ISS (vdieo below) |
July 9, 2016, NewsCrunch
A Soyuz MS-01 blasted off from Baikonur launch lad in Kazakastan two a days ago carrying three astronauts headed for International Space station (ISS).
A video released from Nasa and shot from ISS shows the approaching Soyuz MS-01, which took two days to reach the space station.
At the time the video was recorded, Soyuz MS-01 was 2.3 kms away from the ISS travelling at a speed of 8.5 metres per second. Its speed was to reduce to 1/10th of a metre per second at the point of capture by the ISS.
After Nasa ended its space shuttle programme, Soyuz has become the space taxi to ferry astronauts to and fro. Russia reportedly charges between $ 60 million to $ 80 million per astronaut.
Soyuz usually docks at ISS six hours after launch. But this launch took a longer route of 32 orbits to allows scientists test improved navigation and communications system.
Video: Carrying astronauts, Soyuz MS-01 spacecraft approaches International Space station for docking
First view of #Soyuz spacecraft carrying Exp 48-49 crew members approaching station. https://t.co/b0xchZCnZE— Intl. Space Station (@Space_Station) July 9, 2016