The recent arrival of the Crew 12 astronauts at the International Space Station (ISS) has restored the station’s full crew complement to seven members. The SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule docked at the ISS on February 17, 2024, at 20:15 UTC, approximately 34 hours after launching from the Kennedy Space Center atop a Falcon 9 rocket. This event comes a month after the early return of four crew members due to a medical issue.
Upon docking, Crew 12 commander Jessica Meir, who is on her second long-duration mission at the ISS, expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “Grateful to be on board, and we’re ready to get to work.” Meir was joined by veteran Russian cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev and newcomers Jack Hathaway and Sophie Adenot, an astronaut from the European Space Agency.
After a successful docking, Crew 12 opened the hatch to the ISS two hours later, where they were greeted by the current station commander, Sergey Kud-Sverchkov, along with cosmonauts Sergey Mikaev and NASA astronaut Chris Williams. Kud-Sverchkov welcomed the new crew members, saying, “We are happy they all arrived safe and sound… We’re really happy and proud to work as a team here.”
Significance of Crew 12’s Arrival
The arrival of Crew 12 is particularly significant as it restores operational capacity at the ISS, which had been reduced to just three crew members—Kud-Sverchkov, Mikaev, and Williams—after the departure of Crew 11. While the ISS can function with a minimal crew, a larger team is essential for conducting comprehensive research, performing maintenance, and conducting spacewalks. These tasks require a minimum of two astronauts for safety.
NASA had initially aimed to expedite Crew 12’s launch to February 11 to reduce the duration of Williams’ solo operation. However, complications related to preparations for NASA’s Artemis II moon mission and adverse weather conditions delayed the launch until February 16.
With the addition of Crew 12, research activities in the U.S. segment of the ISS can resume at their standard pace, and the team can conduct planned spacewalks as necessary. Hathaway remarked, “Crew 12 is honored to join our Expedition 74 friends and colleagues… to add our chapter to the story of the International Space Station.”
Crew’s Experience and Challenges
During their journey to the ISS, the Crew 12 astronauts had a thrilling experience. Adenot, a skilled helicopter test pilot and skydiver, described the launch as “quite a ride, very fun!” She added that the view of Earth from space was breathtaking, stating, “The Earth is so beautiful from up here. We see no lines, no borders; it was a very big moment for us.”
Prior to docking, the crew held a private medical conference, indicating they may require further medical assessments after their arrival. NASA maintains strict privacy guidelines regarding astronaut health, so details surrounding the need for a follow-up conference remain undisclosed. Space travel often presents health challenges, particularly during the initial adaptation to microgravity, with around half of astronauts experiencing symptoms like nausea.
As Crew 12 settles into their new environment, they are expected to contribute significantly to ongoing research and international cooperation aboard the ISS, reflecting the collaborative spirit of space exploration.
