{"id":234891,"date":"2021-04-24T23:13:26","date_gmt":"2021-04-24T20:13:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/biggest-space-station-crowd-in-decade-after-spacex-arrival\/"},"modified":"2021-04-24T23:13:26","modified_gmt":"2021-04-24T20:13:26","slug":"biggest-space-station-crowd-in-decade-after-spacex-arrival","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/biggest-space-station-crowd-in-decade-after-spacex-arrival\/","title":{"rendered":"#Biggest space station crowd in decade after SpaceX arrival"},"content":{"rendered":"

“#Biggest space station crowd in decade after SpaceX arrival<\/strong>”<\/p>\n

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\"Biggest
\n This image provided by NASA, astronauts from SpaceX join the astronauts of the International Space Station for an interview on Saturday, April 24, 2021. A recycled SpaceX capsule carrying four astronauts has arrived at the International Space Station, a day after launching from Florida. The Dragon capsule docked autonomously with the orbiting outpost on Saturday. (NASA via AP)
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The International Space Station’s population swelled to 11 on Saturday with the jubilant arrival of SpaceX’s third crew capsule in less than a year.<\/p>\n


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It’s the biggest crowd up there in more than a decade.<\/p>\n

All of the astronauts\u2014representing the U.S., Russia, Japan and France\u2014managed to squeeze into camera view for a congratulatory call from the leaders of their space agencies.<\/p>\n

“In this tough situation around the world, I believe you have brought courage and hope for all of us,” Japanese Space Agency President Hiroshi Yamakawa said from his country’s flight control center, referring to the global pandemic.<\/p>\n

A recycled SpaceX capsule carrying four astronauts arrived at the space station a day after launching from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. The Dragon capsule docked autonomously with the orbiting outpost more than 260 miles (420 kilometers) above the Indian Ocean. The hatches swung open a couple hours later, uniting all 11 space travel<\/a>ers.<\/p>\n

“Man, it is awesome to see the 11 of you on station,” said NASA’s acting administrator, Steve Jurczyk. He noted that this will be the norm, now that SpaceX is regularly flying crews.<\/p>\n

The newcomers will spend six months at the space station. They’ll replace four astronauts who will return to Earth in their own Dragon capsule Wednesday to end a half-year mission. NASA deliberately planned for a brief overlap so the outgoing SpaceX crew could show the new arrivals around.<\/p>\n

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\"Biggest
\n In this image made from NASA TV, the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft, left, app<\/a>roaches to the international space station, Saturday, April 24, 2021. The recycled SpaceX capsule carrying four astronauts has arrived at the International Space Station, a day after launching from Florida. (NASA via AP)
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Although this was SpaceX’s third crew flight for NASA, it was the first to use a vehicle that’s flown before, an essential part of Musk’s push to the moon and Mars. The Dragon capsule was used for SpaceX’s first crew launch last May, while the Falcon rocket soaring Friday hoisted crew two in November.<\/p>\n

It was the first time two SpaceX crew Dragons were parked there at the same time\u2014practically side by side.<\/p>\n

NASA astronauts Shane Kimbrough and Megan McArthur\u2014the commander and pilot of the returning Dragon\u2014monitored their capsule’s flat screen computers during the morning rendezvous. They could have taken control if necessary, but the autonomous system did its job, much like a self-driving car.<\/p>\n

Also checking into the space station: France’s Thomas Pesquet and Japan’s Akihiko Hoshide. Both have lived there before, as has Kimbrough. But it was the first station visit for McArthur. She flew up in the same seat and the same capsule\u2014named Endeavour\u2014as her husband, Bob Behnken, did on SpaceX’s debut crew mission.<\/p>\n