The Crew 12 astronauts docked at the International Space Station (ISS) on February 14, 2024, restoring the station’s crew to a full complement of seven. This event follows the earlier departure of four crew members due to a medical issue, which left the ISS temporarily with just three occupants. The Crew Dragon capsule, launched from the Kennedy Space Center aboard a Falcon 9 rocket, successfully completed its docking at 3:15 p.m. EST.
Crew 12 is led by commander Jessica Meir, who is making her second long-duration stay aboard the ISS. She is joined by veteran Russian cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev and two first-time space travelers, Jack Hathaway and Sophie Adenot of the European Space Agency. After a smooth docking process, the crew opened the hatch and floated into the station two hours later, welcomed by current occupants Sergey Kud-Sverchkov, Sergey Mikaev, and Chris Williams.
During a brief welcoming ceremony, Kud-Sverchkov expressed joy at the arrival of Crew 12. “We are happy they all arrived safe and sound. We’ve been waiting for this moment for a very long time,” he said. Meir responded with enthusiasm about the collaborative spirit aboard the ISS. “It is so wonderful to be back up here… We have so many countries represented, so many backgrounds, so many disciplines,” she remarked.
The journey to the ISS was an exhilarating experience for the Crew 12 members. Adenot, a seasoned French air force helicopter test pilot, described the ascent as “quite a ride, very fun.” She reflected on the breathtaking view of Earth from space, saying, “The Earth is so beautiful from up here. We see no lines, no borders; it was a very big moment for us.”
Crew 12 replaces the previous team, which included Zena Cardman, Mike Fincke, Kimiya Yui, and Oleg Platonov, who departed early last month. This transition was crucial, as the ISS can operate safely with a minimum crew, but a complete team is necessary for conducting comprehensive research and maintenance. Additionally, spacewalks require a minimum of two astronauts, making the full crew essential for operational efficiency.
NASA had originally planned to expedite Crew 12’s launch to February 11 to minimize the duration of Williams’ solo operation of the U.S. segment of the station. However, logistical challenges and unfavorable weather conditions delayed the launch, pushing it to February 13.
With Crew 12 now aboard, research activities in the U.S. segment can resume their normal pace. Hathaway expressed pride in joining the team, 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.”
Prior to docking, the crew held a private medical conference to discuss potential health matters, indicating a desire for a follow-up session after their arrival. While NASA maintains strict privacy guidelines regarding astronaut health, it is common for astronauts to experience nausea and other symptoms during their initial adjustment to weightlessness.
The arrival of Crew 12 marks a significant moment for the ISS and international collaboration in space exploration. As the crew settles in, their work will continue the longstanding tradition of scientific research and innovation aboard the space station.
