SpaceX Crew Takes Off: Embarking on New Routine for ISS Missions

An international crew of astronauts launched to the ISS aboard a SpaceX rocket, potentially extending their mission to eight months. The Crew-11 team includes astronauts from NASA, Russia, and Japan. Talks between NASA and Roscosmos officials accompany the mission, focusing on continued ISS operations amidst geopolitical tensions.

An international team of astronauts set off from Florida to the International Space Station on a SpaceX rocket, marking what could be the start of extended eight-month missions, aimed at aligning U.S. and Russian schedules, NASA reported.

The crew, comprising two NASA astronauts, a Russian cosmonaut, and a Japanese astronaut, launched from Kennedy Space Center after a delayed attempt due to weather conditions. The extended mission, if confirmed, will allow NASA to monitor the health of SpaceX's Dragon capsule during its longer stint at the ISS.

The launch also coincided with high-level meetings between Russian and NASA officials, the first since 2018, showcasing continued cooperation in space amid strained geopolitical relations due to Russia's actions in Ukraine. Despite the positive meeting, no new agreements on space collaborations were reached.

(With inputs from agencies.)