Today’s good news comes from the Good News Network.
Priceless Video Shows US-Russian Group Hug in Microgravity When Astronauts Arrive at the ISS
NASA’s Crew-8 spacecraft recently docked with the International Space Station on its mission to deposit three US astronauts for a sixth-month stay. Their arrival was recorded with a video of a pile-on group hug in microgravity.
Yet there was another passenger on board—Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin.
It isn’t editorializing to say that US-Russia relations are the worst they’ve been since the worst days of the Cold War. Yet despite their differences, there’s one long and grand tradition they have always shared: peaceful cooperation and coexistence in space.
In the video, thrilled that their colleagues made it to the ISS safely, and thrilled, one would imagine, with the mere presence of new faces, Crew-8 mission commander Matthew Dominic is mobbed by NASA Crew-7 mission commander Jasmin Moghbeli and Soyuz-24 mission flight engineer Marina Vasilevskaya.
The three astronauts’ group hug begins to float toward the ceiling when Dominic realizes just in time that they will all get a nasty bump on their heads if he doesn’t stop them.
Dominic then moves to greet Soyuz-24 mission commander Oleg Kononenko while the rest of his crew follow behind, hugging those wearing the red, white, and blue and the white, blue, and red.
NASA astronauts Dominick, Michael Barratt, and Jeanette Epps arrived in the Crew capsule Endeavor with Grebenkin for a six-month stay to relieve the Crew-7 mission team that arrived in the Crew Dragon spacecraft Endurance.
The mission was the fifth flight for the Endurance, and is the first SpaceX Crew Dragon to reach that milestone. Currently, the craft is rated for a maximum of five flights, but Space News reports that the company has sat down with NASA to study extending that certification to as many as 15 flights based on performance.
Astronauts have a unique way of seeing the world, figuratively and literally. Looking down on our home from low-Earth orbit day after day, they realize (and they all say they do) that space is an incredibly harsh environment, and everything we humans have and need is concentrated on this single planet with no alternative.
The video shows what they think of the current tensions in US-Russia relations, and perhaps we should all take a leaf out of their book.©
The good news in this article is that humans with a common goal can accomplish much, regardless of their differences. Today’s John Ku talks about cooperation. I hope you have a beautiful weekend.
Together by John W. Howell © 2024
Separately, work’s hard,
But together makes a job . . .
Easier to do.
WATCH the micrograv group hug below…
Fiction Favorites 
Cute story. Creates a nice smile for the day.
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I thought so too. Thanks, Charles.
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This is a beautiful account of cooperation between nations, John. Thank you for sharing it. All things are possible, and your JohnKu captures that hope. Well done!
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Thank you, Gwen. Makes you wonder what could be accomplished if world leaders would disappear. 😁
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Friends far away from crazyness! 🙂 Thanks for the information, John! Enjoy a beautiful weekend! xx Michael – Take care not to be hit by the part of the ISS which should come back to earth now. xx Michael
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I always watch out for falling space junk. It is like avoiding a crack in the sidewalk. Thanks for the warning and I hope you have a peaceful weekend. 😊
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Thanks, John! xx Michael
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We’ve proven that we can work together with anyone when we need to. I wish we could expand that ability. The astronauts are right – this is the only place we can live, at least in the near term. Good article to highlight, John.
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I think if people had the right leaders, there would be nothing that couldn’t be accomplished. These astronauts respect individual abilities above political concerns as it should be. Thanks, Dan.
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Such JOY! Love!!! ❤
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I agree, Annette.
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Good to see that up and away from the politicians, they all get along!
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People of quality don’t need leaders to tell them who to hate. Like minded folks will get along. Thanks, GP.
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YES!! Shout it from the rooftops! “The good news in this article is that humans with a common goal can accomplish much, regardless of their differences.”
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Amen, Liz. Most leadership is messed up and wouldn’t it be great if they came up missing? 😁
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In a word, yes.
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YES
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It is strange that our world is run my madmen who do not want us to get along. Smaller groups always seem to find common ground.
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You pinpointed the very essence of this good news story, Craig. 😁
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The differences between scientists and politics and knowing you are out on a frontier in space.
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I would be willing to contribute to a fund that offers one way trips into space for politicians.
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They could do an experiment if walking the plank still works in low gravity…
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I think it would.
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So, it sounds like politicians are the problem, lol.
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I think you are on to something, Teri 😁
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That’s what I was thinking, too, Teri.
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Boy, it’s good to see these accomplished individuals being so friendly when there is so much tension between our governments.
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Tracks to the leader’s actions.
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Isn’t this just lovely and heartwarming. Gives us hope for future international space exploration.
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I agree, Noelle.
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Working together for the good of all! That’s what the whole world should be like. Thanks for sharing this, John.
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I agree, Jan and I think the people would do it too. The leaders suck for sure.
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To quote Col. John ‘Hannibal’ Smith: “I love it when a plan comes together.” Nice one, John!
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Great quote. Thanks, Grant.
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Great video and story, John 🙂 Makes me full of hope that if brought together, people find a lot in common.
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Yes I agree, Denise.
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That was great, John. The bouncing hair made me laugh, and what a wonderful message of hope. It’s all about choice, isn’t it? If we can make the right choices, the world could be full of peace.
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The hair was a riot. I think if we had better leaders the world could be at peace.
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Yes, I agree.
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😊
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Loved it! It just goes to show that people the world over, are really about cooperation, fellowship, and peace.
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I agree, Mae. Thank you.
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That is the coolest thing ever!
And yes, non astronauts can learn from this group.
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I think so too.
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Makes you wonder. The people never want to fight. It’s the powers at the top that want to cause strife.
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So true. Wish we could get rid of them all.
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Seriously.
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Wonderful John and thanks for sharing. This is how it would be on earth without the handful of numpties and their antics… hugsx
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So true, I love the word numpties. 😁
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It does cover a plethora of candidates…♥
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😁
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Not unprecedented either. Nations get along all the time when the moment arises and they’re allowed to cooperate.
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If the idiots running the countries get out of the way. Like the Olympics.
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Truth!
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😊
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Priceless!
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They’re smiles and warm greetings to each other is infectious as I’m smiling from ear to ear!
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It would seem some things can transcend politics…for which we are grateful.
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I agree, Monika.
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It’s heartwarming to see this, it certainly humanizes what seems impossible on earth.
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It does, Holly. Have to blame the leaders.
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Blame that dictator ! I added tator out of politeness. 😉
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I liked your circumspection. 😊
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😊🐂
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😁🐂
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Wonderful story, John and to see people getting along, such a good feeling.
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It is Barbara. Show what no politics can do
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Sigh!
I’m making another wish right now.
It’s always a good feeling when I come here, thank you John!
Your JohnKu is so true.
🌎𝖃 🌍𝖃 🌏𝖃
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Im gals you like visiting, Resa. It is always so nice to see you here. I wish there were more opportunities for folks to work together.
🌎X🌎X🌎X🌎X
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Agree! Perhaps there are more opportunities, but humankind just doesn’t carpe diem?
💋 🌎X🌎X🌎X🌎X
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Good point. They don’t carpe vita
💋 🌎X🌎X🌎X🌎X💋
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Like the song says, People who need people are the luckiest people in the world.” Thanks for sharing this, John. Very inspiring. All the best.
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Thank you.
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Great story and a feel good video. floating in space certainly looks fun
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Thank you. I think they must have had a good time.
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Finally got a chance to watch the video which is so uplifting to see their smiling faces. Now if we can replicate this on earth. Good news Fri-yay and loving it, John💓
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If we could get rid of the leaders I’ll bet we would stand a chance.
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Thanks for sharing this wonderful story, John! If freedom can’t be on earth, we should create it in space. Mentionally without our current politicans. 😉 xx Michael
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I say we send them all to the moon. Thanks, Michael.
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