PARIS: A Russian Soyuz FG rocket launched the Soyuz TMA-18M spacecraft 10:37 a.m. local time, Sept. 2, on the latest mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The lift-off marked the 500th departure from the launch pad named for Soviet space pioneer Yuri Gagarin.
The capsule was manned by cosmonaut Sergei Volkov of the Russian Federal Space Agency, astronaut Andreas Mogensen of the European Space Agency and cosmonaut Aidyn Aimbetov of the Kazakh Space Agency. Commander Volkov will join five of the six astronauts/cosmonauts currently living and working on the ISS when he exchanges places with Gennady Padalka.
The situation will mark the first time since November 2013 that nine crew members will simultaneously be aboard the station. Padalka, Mogensen and Aimbetov will return to Earth Sept. 12, leaving NASA astronaut Scott Kelly in command of Expedition 45. A grand ceremonial meeting of the crew at the Astana Airport is planned with the participation of Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev for Sept. 12.
During a telephone conversation prior to the flight, the head of state wished the Kazakh cosmonaut a successful mission to the ISS and implementation of his tasks. Nazarbayev noted Alimbetov’s flight is a significant event that will give impetus to further development of Kazakh cosmonautics and strengthen the image of Kazakhstan in the international arena.
Tesla driverless system to use updated radar technology
WASHINGTON: Electric carmaker Tesla announced Sunday it was upgrading its Autopilot software to use more advanced radar technology. In a...
