A SpaceX capsule, sent to retrieve two astronauts stranded on the International Space Station (ISS), successfully docked.
The Dragon capsule, equipped with two empty seats for astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, docked at 17:30 Eastern Time (22:30 BST).
Wilmore and Williams initially arrived at the ISS in June aboard Boeing’s new Starliner capsule for an eight-day mission, but a flight-related fault forced them to remain on the station.
They are now expected to return to Earth in February.
The Dragon capsule launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Saturday, carrying NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Alexander Gorbunov.
Hague, who has previously served on the ISS, and Gorbunov will join the station’s crew before accompanying Wilmore and Williams back to Earth.
Originally scheduled for Thursday, the launch was delayed due to Hurricane Helene, which has caused significant damage across the southeastern U.S., including Florida.
The docking occurred as the ISS orbited 265 miles (426 km) above Botswana in southern Africa. Footage from inside the station showed Hague and Gorbunov smiling and posing for photos with the rest of the crew following their arrival.