The Crew 12 astronauts successfully docked with the International Space Station (ISS) on February 14, 2024, restoring the station’s crew to a full complement of seven. The Crew Dragon capsule, launched from the Kennedy Space Center aboard a Falcon 9 rocket, arrived at the space-facing port of the Harmony module at 20:15 UTC, approximately 34 hours after its launch.
Crew 12 commander Jessica Meir, making her second long-duration stay on the ISS, expressed enthusiasm about joining the crew. “Grateful to be on board, and we’re ready to get to work,” she communicated after the docking. She was joined by veteran Russian cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev and two newcomers, Jack Hathaway and Sophie Adenot from the European Space Agency.
Upon entering the ISS, the Crew 12 astronauts were welcomed by station commander Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and other crew members, including NASA astronaut Chris Williams and cosmonaut Sergey Mikaev. “Welcome to Crew 12,” Kud-Sverchkov stated in a brief ceremony. “We are happy they all arrived safe and sound; we’ve been waiting for this moment for a very long time.”
As the newcomers settled in, Meir remarked on the diverse representation aboard the ISS. “You look around at the crew up here, and it’s really a testament to everything we do. We have so many countries represented, so many backgrounds, so many disciplines; we are so excited to be here,” she said.
Transition and Research Resumption
The arrival of Crew 12 comes in the wake of Crew 11’s early departure due to a medical issue, which had left the station with only three occupants: Kud-Sverchkov, Mikaev, and Williams. While the ISS can be operated by a smaller crew, essential research and spacewalks require a full team.
NASA officials had initially aimed to launch Crew 12 earlier, possibly on February 11, to minimize the time Williams would operate alone in the U.S. segment. However, scheduling conflicts related to the Artemis II mission and adverse weather conditions delayed the launch to February 13.
With Crew 12 now aboard, scientific research in the U.S. segment can resume its normal pace. Hathaway emphasized the significance of their arrival, stating, “Crew 12 is honored to join our Expedition 74 friends and colleagues to add our chapter to the story of the International Space Station.”
Medical Considerations and Adaptation
Prior to docking, the Crew 12 astronauts conducted a private medical conference to assess their health status, indicating the necessity for a follow-up discussion after they had settled on the ISS. NASA has strict privacy guidelines surrounding astronaut health, and specific details regarding any health issues remain undisclosed.
It is worth noting that many astronauts experience nausea and other symptoms during their initial adaptation to weightlessness, although these typically subside after a few days.
The Crew 12 mission represents another chapter in the ongoing collaboration among international space agencies, reinforcing the importance of teamwork in space exploration.
