International Space Station Welcomes Russian and American Crew

Two Russian cosmonauts and a US astronaut have successfully docked with the International Space Station (ISS) after launching from Kazakhstan. The mission comes amid heightened tensions between Russia and the US over the invasion of Ukraine. The crew will join the existing team on the ISS, which includes representatives from Russia, the US, Japan, and the European Space Agency. The ISS serves as a rare venue for cooperation between the two countries. The Russian cosmonauts are scheduled to spend a year on the ISS, while the US astronaut will stay for six months. This launch follows Russia's recent failed mission to the Moon, which aimed to mark its return to independent lunar exploration.