SpaceX launches US, Russian, and UAE astronauts to the International Space Station

Early this morning, SpaceX launched its latest mission to the International Space Station. On board the Dragon capsule were four astronauts, including two NASA astronauts, one Russian cosmonaut, and one astronaut from the United Arab Emirates. The crew will spend the next six months on board the space station for scientific research and maintenance.

This mission marks the 101st straight landing for SpaceX, which successfully landed its Falcon 9 rocket back on Earth after completing its mission. The landing took place at Cape Canaveral in Florida, where the rocket was originally launched.

The Dragon capsule is set to dock with the International Space Station later today. But what exactly happens during docking? According to Gulf News, the process involves the Dragon capsule slowly approaching the space station, followed by the astronauts aboard the station reaching out with a robotic arm to capture the craft and bring it in for docking.

This latest mission is a joint effort between NASA, Roscosmos (the Russian space agency), and the United Arab Emirates Space Agency. It marks a milestone in international cooperation and goodwill, as astronauts from three countries work together to further explore the final frontier.