Russian spacecraft delivers three astronauts to International Space Station

Russian astronaut A Russian spacecraft has delivered three astronauts to the International Space Station, smoothly overcoming docking system problems which had delayed its launch.

The Soyuz blasted off from Russia’s Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Thursday after two postponements while technicians fixed a mechanical glitch that affected the craft’s ability to attach itself to the orbital platform.

“The Soyuz has made a good docking with the International Space Station,” a mission control official announced on Saturday.

NASA astronaut Michael Fincke and Russian cosmonaut Gennady Padalka, in orbit since April, were waiting to greet the newcomers who will float through a hatch into the station once final checks are complete — usually a three-hour process.

Russian cosmonaut Salizhan Sharipov and NASA’s Leroy Chiao will take over from Fincke and Padalka for the next six months.

A third crewmember, Russian space forces officer Yuri Shargin, is on a 10-day mission and will return to earth with the outgoing crew.

Russia has been the sole lifeline to the station since February, 2003, when the United States grounded its shuttle fleet after Columbia disintegrated on re-entry, killing the seven-man crew.

Shuttle flights to the station could resume in May, officials have said, but in the meantime Russia will continue to launch all manned and cargo ships.