A new crew has successfully docked at the International Space Station (ISS), bringing the total number of occupants back to seven. The Crew 12 team, consisting of astronauts from various backgrounds, arrived on February 10, 2024, aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule. This mission follows a recent incident that reduced the station’s crew to just three members.
The Crew Dragon spacecraft docked at the space-facing port of the ISS’s Harmony module at 20:15 UTC, approximately 34 hours after its launch from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Crew 12 commander Jessica Meir expressed her enthusiasm upon arrival, stating, “Grateful to be on board, and we’re ready to get to work.” This marks her second long-duration stay aboard the ISS.
Welcoming a Diverse Team
Joining Meir are veteran Russian cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev, along with newcomers Jack Hathaway and Sophie Adenot from the European Space Agency. After docking, the new crew opened the hatch and entered the station approximately two hours later, greeted warmly by the existing team of Sergey Kud-Sverchkov, Sergey Mikaev, and Chris Williams. Kud-Sverchkov welcomed them in a brief ceremony, highlighting the importance of their safe arrival.
“It is so wonderful to be back up here,” Meir remarked, noting the diverse representation of countries and disciplines within the crew. This diversity reflects the collaborative spirit of international space exploration.
The arrival of Crew 12 restores full operations at the ISS, which had been temporarily limited due to the absence of four crew members who returned early last month for medical reasons. Their departure left the station with just three crew members, a situation that hindered the full range of research and maintenance activities.
Resuming Research and Operations
With the reintegration of Crew 12, research in the U.S. segment of the ISS can proceed at its normal pace, allowing for the resumption of planned spacewalks and other critical tasks. The previous crew’s early departure had created a backlog of necessary maintenance and research activities, as a single astronaut cannot perform all required tasks independently.
NASA had aimed to expedite Crew 12’s launch to February 11, 2024, to minimize the time Williams would be the sole operator in the U.S. segment. However, logistical challenges related to preparations for NASA’s Artemis II moon mission and adverse weather conditions delayed the launch.
The journey to the ISS was described as “mind-blowing” by Adenot, who noted the breathtaking view of Earth from space. “The Earth is so beautiful from up here. We see no lines, no borders,” she said, reflecting on the unifying experience of space travel.
Prior to docking, the Crew 12 team held a private medical conference to discuss potential health issues. While NASA maintains strict privacy guidelines regarding astronaut health, it is common for individuals to experience nausea and discomfort during initial adaptation to microgravity. The crew confirmed plans for a follow-up medical discussion after docking.
The successful arrival of Crew 12 not only enhances the operational capacity of the ISS but also reaffirms the collaborative efforts of international space agencies in advancing scientific research and exploration. As the team settles in, they look forward to contributing to the ongoing mission of the ISS, a vital hub for scientific discovery.
