A Russian Soyuz spacecraft has docked with the International Space Station, delivering three new astronauts.
The Soyuz blasted off from Kazakhstan on Wednesday and the docking took place 355km above West Africa.
Two Russians and one American are already are on board the ISS, giving a total crew of six.
After 2011, the Soyuz will be the only vehicle able to transport crews to the ISS.
The BBC reports the United States has only two more space shuttle flights scheduled before retiring its shuttle programme next year.
