Russian astronaut launches to space from U.S. for 1st time in 20 years

For the first time in 20 years, a Russian astronaut left for space from the United States, despite tensions over the war in Ukraine, reported The Associated Press.

Anna Kikina, a Russian female cosmonaut, joined NASA and Japanese astronauts in the latest launch to the International Space Station.

“We’re so glad to do it together,” said Kikina. “Spasibo!”

The S230-foot SpaceX rocket took off from Nasa’s launch pad in Florida on Wednesday taking four passengers.

Kikina is among three newcomers on the flight, which include Marine Col. Nicole Mann, the first Native American to go to space, and Navy Cpt. John Cassada. Japanese Koichi Wakada is the only veteran among the team.

“Awesome!” radioed Mann. “That was a smooth ride uphill. You’ve got three rookies who are pretty happy to be floating in space right now.”

The team of cosmonauts is expected to arrive at the International Space Station by 5 p.m. on Thursday, around 29 hours after the rocket launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. Their original flight was delayed after Hurricane Ian devastated parts of Florida last week.

“I hope with this launch we will brighten up the skies over Florida a little bit for everyone,” said Wakata, who is going on his fifth spaceflight.

The four cosmonauts will join seven others that are already in the space station: four NASA and European Space Agency astronauts and three Russian counterparts. The passengers onboard the SpaceX flight plan to return to Earth in March of next year.

Despite tensions between the U.S. and Russia over the Ukraine war, the Kremlin announced that it would remain committed to the space station through at least 2024. However, Russia plans to build its own space station later this decade.

“It’s really cool how the common mission of the space station just instantly unites us,” Mann said.