A Russian spacecraft delivered three astronauts to the International Space Station today, 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 docked well with the International Space Station," an official announced at mission control in Korolyov, just outside Moscow.
But in a rare occurrence, the astronauts had to dock manually instead of automatically as the Soyuz was approaching the ISS too quickly.
"The docking today ... looked excellent. I was observing the transition from automatic to manual and it appeared seamless," said Mr Fred Gregory, deputy head of the US space agency NASA.
"The crew was extremely well-trained - there was no excitement, it appeared extremely routine."
Three hours later, Russian cosmonaut Salizhan Sharipov and American Leroy Chiao floated through from the Soyuz into the ISS.
Russian cosmonaut Mr Gennady Padalka, in orbit since April, opened the hatch to the newcomers and he and US astronaut Mr Michael Fincke greeted Mr Sharipov and Mr Chiao with smiles, hugs and kisses.
Mr Sharipov and Mr Chiao will take over from Mr Fincke and Mr Padalka for the next six months.