Additional Coverage:
Space Station Crew Grows as Crew-11 Arrives
A SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, the Endeavour, successfully docked with the International Space Station early Saturday morning, delivering four new crew members after a smooth 16-hour journey. The Dragon approached the station from below, executing a loop maneuver before aligning itself for a flawless docking at 2:27 a.m.
ET. The spacecraft linked up at the forward Harmony module’s space-facing port, while orbiting 264 miles above the South Pacific.
After securing the connection and verifying an airtight seal, warm greetings were exchanged between the arriving crew and the astronauts already on board. “Endeavour, welcome to the International Space Station,” NASA astronaut Jonny Kim radioed.
“We have cold drinks, hot food and hugs waiting.” Crew-11 pilot Mike Fincke, a veteran of three spaceflights, responded enthusiastically, expressing the crew’s excitement and commitment to their mission.
The new arrivals, including first-time fliers Zena Cardman and Oleg Platonov, along with veteran astronaut Kimiya Yui, officially joined the Expedition 73 crew nearly three hours later. Station commander Takuya Onishi extended a heartfelt welcome, particularly acknowledging Cardman and Platonov’s first voyage into space.
Cardman, whose previous mission was delayed, expressed her joy and gratitude, describing the breathtaking experience of seeing the station for the first time. Her arrival marks a full complement of seven astronauts on board.
The arrival of Crew-11 also signals an upcoming departure. Four current crew members, including commander Anne McClain and pilot Nichole Ayers, are scheduled to return to Earth next Wednesday, concluding their 145-day mission. The remaining astronauts will continue Expedition 73 alongside the newly arrived Crew-11 members.
This mission marks a potential shift in crew rotation durations. While six-month stays have been the norm, Russian cosmonauts have recently transitioned to eight-month missions.
NASA is considering similar extensions, possibly including Crew-11, and potentially reducing future Dragon crews to three members as a cost-saving measure. These considerations are driven by budget proposals and a focus on future Mars missions.
Although no final decisions have been announced, the possibility of an extended stay is welcomed by the crew, with Cardman expressing her eagerness for additional time in space.