A new crew has successfully arrived at the International Space Station (ISS) to relieve three astronauts who have spent an unexpected year in space due to catastrophic spacecraft damage. The crew of NASA astronaut Loral O’Hara and Russian cosmonauts Oleg Kononenko and Nikolai Chub lifted off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan aboard the Soyuz MS-24 spacecraft on September 15, marking a critical transition for the ISS mission.
The Soyuz MS-24 spacecraft carrying O’Hara, Kononenko, and Chub docked at the station’s Rassvet module at 2.53 pm EDT (10.53 pm UAE time), confirming the safe arrival of the replacement crew.
A Year in Space: The Unexpected Mission
This extraordinary mission began when U.S. astronaut Frank Rubio and Russia's Dmitry Petelin and Sergey Prokopyev embarked on their journey to the ISS on September 21, 2022, expecting a routine six-month stay. However, just three months into their mission, their Soyuz MS-22 spacecraft suffered irreparable damage, reportedly from a meteor strike causing a coolant leak. The severity of the damage made it unsafe for the crew to return to Earth using the damaged craft.
In a collaborative effort between NASA and Russian space officials, it was decided to extend their mission by an additional six months while preparations were made to bring the astronauts back safely. The rescue craft, Soyuz MS-23, was dispatched to the station in February, bringing essential supplies and serving as the return vehicle for the astronauts.
Record-Setting Stay on the ISS
Frank Rubio's extended stay on the ISS has set a new record for the longest spaceflight by an American astronaut. When he lands on Earth on September 27, Rubio will have spent an astounding 371 days in space, surpassing the previous record of 355 days held by NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei.
NASA administrator Bill Nelson personally spoke with Rubio to express gratitude for his service. Rubio, during the live call, shared his perspective on the mission, saying,
"It was unexpected. In some ways, it's been an incredible challenge, but in other ways, it's been an incredible blessing. I count myself lucky and honored to be able to represent the agency and our country."
Colleagues on the ISS commended Rubio for his leadership and dedication during the prolonged mission. U.S. astronaut Woody Hoburg, who recently returned from a six-month mission, praised Rubio's work, emphasizing his significant sacrifice of being away from his family for such an extended period.
This extended mission also signifies that the Russian cosmonauts, Dmitry Petelin and Sergey Prokopyev, will set a new record for the longest spaceflight by Russian cosmonauts aboard the ISS, surpassing the previous record of 355 days held by their colleagues, Anton Shkaplerov and Pyotr Dubrov. The world record for the longest single stay in space remains with Russian cosmonaut Valery Polyakov, who spent an astonishing 437 days on the Mir space station.
Meet the Replacement Crew
The newly arrived crew comprises NASA astronaut Loral O’Hara, and Russian cosmonauts Oleg Kononenko, and Nikolai Chub. For O’Hara and Chub, this marks their first spaceflight, while Kononenko is on his fifth mission to space. The Russian cosmonauts are slated to spend a year on the ISS and will return to Earth on the Soyuz MS-26 craft in September 2024, while Ms. O’Hara is scheduled for a six-month stay.
During a briefing on August 23, Loral O’Hara expressed her excitement about the mission and even had a video chat with Frank Rubio, who was eagerly awaiting her arrival at the ISS, marking the beginning of her extraordinary journey in space.
As the ISS continues to host these remarkable missions, the collaboration between NASA and Roscosmos serves as a testament to international cooperation in space exploration and the determination of astronauts to face unexpected challenges head-on. The safe arrival of the replacement crew signals a new chapter in the ongoing scientific research and exploration aboard the ISS.
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