In this image taken from video provided by NASA, the Soyuz TMA-09M carrying three new Expedition 36 crew members approaches the International Space Station, May 29, 2013.
A Russian spacecraft carrying American, Russian and Italian crew members has docked successfully at the the International Space Station.
The capsule completed the trip in less than six hours, much quicker than the usual two days.
The Soyuz lifted off early Wednesday from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, which Russia leases in Kazakhstan.
American Karen Nyberg, Russian cosmonaut Fyodor Yurchikhin and Italy's Luca Parmitano will spend six months on the space station conducting experiments together with three other scientists already there.
Soyuz Spacecraft Docks with Space Station
1/4The Soyuz rocket booster with Soyuz space ship carrying a new crew to the International Space Station blasts off at the Russian-leased Baikonur cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, May 29, 2013.
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2/4Photographers take pictures of the launch of Soyuz rocket booster with Soyuz space ship carrying a new crew to the International Space Station, May 29, 2013.
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3/4This image taken from video provided by NASA shows the Soyuz carrying three new Expedition 36 crew members, top, approaching the International Space Station, May 29, 2013.
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4/4U.S. astronaut Karen Nyberg, left, Russian cosmonaut Fyodor Yurchikhin, center, and European Space Agency astronaut Luca Parmitano pose prior the launch of their Soyuz rocket at Baikonur, Kazakhstan, May 28, 2013.
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