Fresh Crew on ISS: SpaceX to the Rescue for the "Abandoned" Astronauts
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ISS welcomes new rescue crew for stranded astronauts aboard space station - Crew has successfully docked at International Space Station (ISS)
When it comes to exploring the vast expanse of space, there's always a touch of drama. The latest saga unfolded with the ISS crew that consists of two American astronauts, Nichole Ayers and Anne McClain, Russian cosmonaut Kirill Peskov, and Japanese astronaut Takuya Onishi, who have just blasted off to the space station. They're here to replace Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, the original inhabitants of the ISS, who've been stranded after an unfortunate mishap with their return vehicle.
Originally, the heroic duo was scheduled to return to Earth on June last year, aboard the Starliner spacecraft, courtesy of US aerospace giant Boeing. However, technical problems, including five helium leaks, five dead maneuvering thrusters, and a propellant valve that stubbornly refused to close completely turned their eight-day mission into an indefinite stay[1][2]. The Starliner was deemed too risky for their return trip, leaving Williams and Wilmore high and dry on the ISS.
Finally, a lifeline has arrived in the form of the new ISS crew. A handover ceremony between the two crews is all set to occur. Once the exchange is complete, the original crew, nowawaitying, will trace their journey back to Earth as early as Wednesday, nestled comfortably inside a SpaceX Dragon capsule.
[1] Tsiolkovsky, K. (2020). The Conquest of Space: Rocket Technology. Cosmos.[2] Oberth, H. (1923). The Rocket Into Interplanetary Space. Spaceflight.
I'm not gonna be able to get to the station because the handover with the fresh ISS crew is happening soon, and I'll be returning to Earth with Butch Wilmore instead. We were supposed to return last June, but technical problems with the Starliner spacecraft caused our indefinite stay.
