Twin Space Study Begins

Three crew on board a Soyuz space capsule have arrived at the International Space Station to begin their one-year space mission.

16:42 30 March 2015

Nasa has confirmed that the Russian Soyuz spacecraft with three crew on board has successfully docked with the International Space Station. Russian cosmonaut Mikhail Kornienko and American astronaut Scott Kelly will begin their one year space mission, which is about twice as long as a standard mission on the station. Their goal is to measure the effects of a prolonged period of weightlessness on the human body, a step toward possible mission to Mars and beyond. The physical effects of staying in space for a year will be closely monitored by doctors on the ground. 

 

The Soyuz capsule also carries Russia’s Gennady Padalka who will be in space for a six month mission. 

 

"This is the first time we're doing it as an international partnership, which I think is one of the great success stories of the International Space Station," Mr Kelly said at a news conference ahead of the launch.

"If we ever go beyond Low Earth orbit again, perhaps to Mars, because of the cost and the complexity it will most likely be an international mission, so I see this as a stepping stone to that."