Russian Rocket Launches International Crew to Space Station

[DreamGypsy]

1. No Politics in Space

The ISS is an example of what Russia, US can achieve working together:

Sharing such an experience as a spaceflight – from launch to landing – is very unifying, Hopkins stressed as he arrived in Star City, near Moscow, for his crew’s official welcoming ceremony.

“You’re very close together in the Soyuz [Russian spacecraft],” he said. “And then just the time – the daily time that you spend there – it’s an experience that you always have. And I’ll always look back at that memory of not just my time up there, but my time with them. And that’s something very special and again – I consider them very close friends now.”

According to the 45-year-old, the tensions between Russia and the US over the events in Ukraine “had no impact” on relations with his Russian crew members.

“I think, actually, the International Space Station is still an example of what our nations can accomplish when they work together,” he said.