In an impressive feat, the Soyuz MS-26 spacecraft successfully docked with the International Space Station (ISS), bringing its crew count to a new record of 19 people in orbit. The arrival of Soyuz MS-26 marks the 11th crewed spaceflight this year, and it is also the 78th overall mission for the Soyuz 2.1a rocket subtype.

Among the crew members on board the Soyuz MS-26 are veteran Russian cosmonaut Alexander Ovchinin, who has one more Soyuz launch under his belt, and Ivan Vagner, who is on his second mission to space and the ISS. Accompanying them is NASA astronaut Don Pettit, embarking on his fourth space mission.

Ovchinin, who previously commanded the ill-fated Soyuz MS-10 mission in 2018, experienced a launch abort due to a rocket booster separation issue. However, the spacecraft's abort system successfully moved them away from the malfunctioning rocket, ensuring their safety. This time, Ovchinin is joined by fellow cosmonaut Vagner and NASA astronaut Pettit on Soyuz MS-26, ready to embark on Expedition 72.

Vagner, a former engineer and assistant flight manager at RSC Energia, joined the cosmonaut corps after being named to the space station program. With a master's degree in aeronautical engineering, he brings valuable expertise to the team. Meanwhile, Pettit, a seasoned astronaut who has spent over 369 days in space across his previous three missions, including groundbreaking work on the Canadarm2 robotic manipulator arm and being the first person to enter a Dragon capsule on orbit, adds a wealth of experience.

With the arrival of Soyuz MS-26, the ISS now hosts nine crew members, expanding the total number of people in space to a historic 19. This impressive milestone surpasses the previous record and showcases the remarkable international collaboration in space exploration.

As Expedition 71 comes to a close, the new Expedition 72 will commence following the departure of Soyuz MS-25 from the ISS on September 24. Ovchinin, Vagner, Pettit, and their fellow crew members Nick Hague, Aleksandr Gorbunov, Butch Wilmore, and Suni Williams will make up the Expedition 72 team, continuing critical research and maintenance aboard the orbiting laboratory.

The successful docking of Soyuz MS-26 not only reflects the remarkable achievements of human spaceflight but also highlights the continuous dedication and cooperation among international space agencies. With the new record of 19 crew members in orbit, the quest for knowledge and exploration in space reaches new heights.