Soyuz MS-26 Successfully Docks with ISS

The Soyuz MS-26 spacecraft successfully launched from Baikonur, Kazakhstan, carrying NASA astronaut Don Pettit and Russian cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner. The spacecraft docked with the International Space Station (ISS) a little over three hours after takeoff, completing its journey after just two orbits of Earth. This launch, occurring without any apparent issues, marked a relief for Russian space authorities following a previous launch failure due to a power system malfunction. Upon arrival, the new crew members will join the existing astronauts aboard the ISS, which includes both American and Russian personnel. The swift docking was noted as a contrast to other missions that have taken days for similar maneuvers.