Typically, the flight from Earth to the International Space Station takes 48 hours. After piercing the heavens, a craft spends two days orbiting Earth in an outward spiral, traveling just a small step further with every rotation.
At 4:43 PM, EDT, the Soyuz 34 Capsule was launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazahkstan, carrying a three-man crew. Six hours later they docked with the ISS, forty-two hours ahead of schedule.
The Soyuz 34’s record-setting pace depended on a strategic launch time, lifting off just as the ISS passed over the Baikonur Cosmodrome. Still, by the time the capsule had cleared Earth’s atmosphere, the station had a thousand mile head start. To make up the difference the Soyuz 34 made a series of carefully calculated engine burns to regulate its speed, trajectory, and orientation using newly upgraded thrusters controlled by an improved maneuvering system.
For the next 6 months, the Soyuz 34’s crew will be guests on the ISS. After completing their scientific missions, the three astronauts will return to Earth using the same capsule.
Watch the Capsule Dock with the ISS:
Images Courtesy of NASA