Four astronauts successfully returned to Earth early Thursday morning, concluding an eventful and extraordinary week in space. The crew made an early departure from the International Space Station as a result of medical issues that emerged during their mission.
NASA astronauts Zena Cardman, Mike Finke, Japanese astronaut Kamiya Yui, and Russian cosmonaut Oleg Platonov made a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean near San Diego at 3:41 a.m. ET after an 11-hour journey.
“On behalf of SpaceX and NASA, welcome home, Crew-11,” mission controllers communicated to the astronauts shortly after the Dragon capsule’s touchdown.
This return marks a historic moment, being the first instance in the ISS’s 25-year history where a mission was terminated early due to medical complications.
On Thursday, SpaceX’s Crew Dragon Endeavor spacecraft splashed down in the Pacific Ocean near San Diego, California. NASA
Out of respect for medical privacy, NASA has not disclosed the identities of the crew members involved or specific details surrounding the medical incident. The situation remains stable and is not deemed an emergency.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman stated in a recent press conference that the early return decision was made with an emphasis on precaution.
The medical issue led to the cancellation of a planned spacewalk scheduled for January 8, during which Cardman and Finke were set to perform modifications outside the ISS.
The recovery team approaches the Dragon capsule. NASA
Prior to leaving the space station, Finke reassured that he and his colleagues were “stable, safe, and well cared for.”
“This decision was made to facilitate proper medical evaluation in a controlled environment with complete diagnostic capabilities,” Finke mentioned in a statement on LinkedIn. “While it’s bittersweet, it’s the right call.”
The astronauts returned in the same SpaceX Dragon capsule that had transported them to the ISS.
The return mission proceeded without incident, with air traffic controllers reporting favorable weather conditions at the landing site off the California coast. The capsule’s drogue and main parachutes deployed successfully just before landing, ensuring a safe splashdown.
NASA’s Crew 11 Endeavor spacecraft during recovery efforts. NASA
SpaceX recovery teams promptly arrived to assess the capsule and ensure it was safe to open the hatch. Dolphins were also spotted joyfully swimming in the vicinity.
The Crew-11 astronauts spent 165 days aboard the space station. For Cardman and Platonov, this represents their first spaceflight, while Yui has now completed her second journey. Finke has successfully finished four missions in total.
The astronauts were scheduled to stay on the ISS until late February but returned early, leaving only three crew members onboard: NASA’s Chris Williams and Russian cosmonauts Sergei Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikayev.
Inside the International Space Station’s Kibo Experiment Module: NASA astronaut Mike Finke, Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Platonov, NASA astronaut Zena Cardman, and JAXA astronaut Kamiya Yui. NASA/AP
The next crew rotation for the space station is expected to launch by February 15, but NASA is exploring options for an expedited flight. Nonetheless, Williams is likely to be the only NASA astronaut responsible for U.S. scientific experiments and operations at the station for several weeks to come.
Four astronauts are set to return from the International Space Station (ISS) on Wednesday night, departing weeks earlier than originally planned due to health concerns.
NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Mike Finke, alongside Japanese cosmonaut Kamiya Yui and Russian cosmonaut Oleg Platonov, will make their journey back to Earth aboard the same SpaceX Dragon capsule that previously transported them to the ISS. This group, known as “Crew-11,” is expected to undock at around 5:05 p.m. ET.
This incident marks the first time in the ISS’s 25-year history that a mission has had to be cut short due to a medical issue while in orbit. Though NASA has not disclosed specifics regarding the affected crew members or the nature of their medical issues, citing privacy concerns, officials reassured the public that the situation is stable and does not warrant an emergency evacuation.
“First and foremost, we’re all okay,” Finke stated in a LinkedIn post over the weekend. “Everyone on board is stable, safe, and well cared for. This decision allows for a comprehensive medical evaluation on the ground where all diagnostic capabilities exist. This is the correct decision, even if it feels somewhat bittersweet.”
If undocking proceeds as scheduled, Crew-11 astronauts are anticipated to splash down in the Pacific Ocean off California’s coast around 3:41 a.m. ET on Thursday. The journey back will take approximately 11 hours, including a deorbit burn to slow the spacecraft before it re-enters Earth’s atmosphere, culminating in a parachute landing underwater.
Arriving at the ISS in August, Cardman, Finke, Yui, and Platonov were initially slated to remain until the end of February. However, a recent medical incident involving a crew member led NASA to cancel a planned spacewalk, which Cardman and Finke were set to conduct for station exterior renovations. Following this, the decision was made to expedite the crew’s return as a precautionary measure.
“After thorough consultation with Chief Medical Officer Dr. J.D. Polk and various agency leaders, we concluded that it is in the best interest of the astronauts to return Crew-11 ahead of the original schedule,” stated NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman on Thursday.
The astronauts are expected to land on Earth before the next space station crew takes off, but NASA confirms that Flight Engineer Chris Williams and two Russian cosmonauts will remain aboard. NASA officials are exploring options to expedite the next launch. The upcoming mission, known as Crew 12, is planned for a launch by February 15, but Williams will presumably be the sole NASA astronaut managing U.S. scientific experiments and operations on the ISS for several weeks.
During a “change of command” ceremony prior to departure on Monday, Finke officially handed over command of the space station to cosmonaut Sergei Kud-Sverchkov.
“Sergei, it is both an honor and a pleasure to hand over command to you,” Finke remarked.
He referred to the crew’s unexpectedly early departure as “an interesting time,” reminiscing positively about their experience in orbit.
“We come from diverse places around the globe and work collaboratively,” Finke concluded. “This is a fantastic representation of what humanity can achieve together.”
Microbiologists from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Rhodium Scientific have unveiled a groundbreaking discovery aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Their latest experiment reveals that the unique near-weightless environment of space significantly alters the interactions between bacteriophages (viruses that target bacteria) and their hosts.
The International Space Station, with Earth in the background. Image credit: NASA.
In this detailed study focused on bacteriophage-host dynamics in microgravity, University of Wisconsin-Madison researcher Phil Huss and his team analyzed the interaction of T7 phages with Escherichia coli bacteria cultivated in an orbiting laboratory.
The experiments highlighted that while microgravity slows the infection rate of viruses, it does not permanently inhibit their ability to infect.
Under normal Earth conditions, T7 phages typically infect and lyse Escherichia coli within 20 to 30 minutes.
However, in the microgravity setting, no measurable growth of the bacteriophages was observed during the initial hours of culture.
After 23 days, the bacteriophage started to grow normally, effectively reducing the bacterial count. This suggests that bacteriophage activity eventually overcame the initial delays caused by the microgravity environment.
Factors unique to microgravity, such as disrupted fluid convection and changes in bacterial physiology, appear to influence how bacteriophage particles encounter and infect bacterial hosts.
In the absence of gravity, the natural mixing of fluids that typically facilitates virus-bacteria contact may be hindered, thereby slowing down the initial infection stages.
To delve deeper into the evolutionary and molecular consequences of these altered interactions, researchers sequenced the genomes of both bacteriophages and bacteria post long-term culture.
The analysis revealed numerous emerging mutations in the genomes of both organisms, indicating adaptation to their unique conditions.
Intriguingly, different mutation patterns were identified in microgravity compared to those evolving under Earth’s gravity, highlighting that the space environment exerts distinct selective pressures on both bacteriophages and their bacterial hosts.
Further scrutiny focused on the bacteriophage’s receptor-binding proteins, essential for recognizing and infecting bacterial cells effectively.
Through a deep mutational scan, significant differences in the mutational profiles of these proteins were observed between microgravity and ground-based experiments, reflecting fundamental changes in adaptive capabilities.
In a remarkable find, the researchers utilized a library of receptor-binding protein variants selected in microgravity to create bacteriophage variants that are more efficient at infecting specific drug-resistant strains of Escherichia coli on Earth. This underscores the potential of space-based research to inform biotechnology.
“Our study provides initial insights into how microgravity influences phage-host interactions,” the researchers concluded.
“Investigating phage activity in non-terrestrial settings unveils new genetic determinants of fitness, paving the way for innovative phage engineering on Earth.”
“The success of this research will establish a foundation for future phage investigations aboard the ISS.”
For more details, refer to the study published in the online journal PLoS Biology.
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P. Hass et al. 2026. Microgravity reshapes bacteriophage-host coevolution on the International Space Station. PLoS Biol 24 (1): e3003568; doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3003568
NASA’s SpaceX Crew-11 Team to the International Space Station
SpaceX
In a historic event, astronauts have been evacuated from the International Space Station (ISS) for medical reasons for the first time. The specific medical condition has not been disclosed to maintain privacy, and the astronaut affected remains unnamed. However, four of the seven crew members aboard the ISS returned to Earth ahead of schedule.
The returning astronauts are part of the Crew-11 mission, which launched on August 1 and was initially scheduled to conclude in late February. During a press conference on January 8, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman noted that nearly all mission objectives had been achieved, enabling an early return.
“This is not an emergency evacuation; the astronaut is stable,” stated NASA’s Chief Medical Officer James Polk. Isaacman further emphasized that while emergency medical evacuation was possible within hours, the actual crew evacuation would occur within days.
Although medical incidents aboard the ISS are not unprecedented, they have typically been manageable in orbit. “The ISS is equipped with robust medical facilities, but it lacks the comprehensive resources of an emergency department,” Polk explained. The severity of this recent incident necessitated that the crew return to Earth for complete medical assessment.
The four Crew-11 members (including two NASA astronauts, one Russian, and one Japanese astronaut) will return via the Dragon spacecraft that transported them to the ISS, despite only one experiencing a medical issue. Preparations are in place at Earth-based medical facilities to ensure affected crew members receive the necessary care. While the situation is without precedent, Isaacman assured that the return process aligns closely with regular protocols.
“Historical models over the last 25 years suggest medical evacuations should occur approximately every three years, yet this is the first such instance,” Polk remarked.
Following this evacuation, a NASA astronaut and two Russian cosmonauts will continue their research aboard the ISS until the Crew-12 mission arrives, originally planned for February 15, but potentially rescheduled due to this incident.
NASA has announced that four astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) will return to Earth over a month early due to medical issues. This unprecedented evacuation marks the first of its kind in the ISS’s 25-year history.
Due to medical privacy regulations, NASA refrained from disclosing specific details, including the identities of the affected astronauts and the nature of their medical conditions. However, officials confirmed that the overall situation remains stable.
Speaking at a recent news conference, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman stated that the astronauts are expected to return home in the coming days. An exact timeline for undocking and landing has not yet been provided.
“After consulting with Medical Officer of Health Dr. J.D. Polk and leadership across the agency, we believe returning Crew-11 early is in the best interest of the astronauts,” Isaacman said in a statement.
Inside the International Space Station. NASA
Isaacman noted that further updates would be available within the next 48 hours.
The Crew-11 team evacuating the ISS consists of NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Mike Finke, Japanese cosmonaut Kamiya Yui, and Russian cosmonaut Oleg Platonov. They had originally arrived in early August with plans to stay until late February.
Dr. Polk reassured the public that the situation is stable, clarifying that the decision to evacuate was made for the well-being of the astronauts, not due to an emergency.
“While the ISS is equipped with sophisticated medical technology, it cannot match the complete resources of a hospital emergency department for thorough patient evaluations,” Polk explained. “In this case, there were multiple medical events which necessitated a careful assessment of the astronauts’ health.”
NASA first made the medical concerns public on Wednesday, when it was revealed that Cardman and Finke were deferring a scheduled spacewalk.
Following the early return of Crew-11, NASA will operate with just one astronaut on the ISS, who will oversee ongoing U.S. scientific operations. Flight engineer Chris Williams launched aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft on November 27, accompanied by Russian cosmonauts Oleg Platonov, Sergei Kud-Sverchkov, and Sergei Mikayev.
The subsequent crew is slated to launch to the ISS in mid-February, but Isaacman indicated that NASA may evaluate enhancements for this upcoming mission, known as Crew-12.
This week’s developments present Isaacman’s first significant challenge since taking office on December 18.
The space station industry is experiencing significant growth. For years, the only option for sending astronauts and experiments into orbit was the International Space Station (ISS). However, as NASA plans to deorbit the ISS by the end of the decade, a new commercially owned space station is set to emerge.
Mary Guenther, director of space policy at the Progressive Policy Institute in Washington, DC, states, “These developments have been in progress for years, primarily alongside NASA, with hardware expected to begin operations in 2026.” While privately developed modules have been attached to the ISS, never before has there been a fully independent commercial space station.
Without the ISS, a commercial space station will be essential. Guenther emphasizes, “It’s time for NASA to advance into uncharted territory and leave the operation of a low Earth orbit space station to commercial entities.”
In 2026, two companies, including the startup Vast, are poised to launch operations in the U.S. Vast plans to deploy the Haven-1 station aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket as early as May. This station is smaller and simpler than the ISS and will use SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule for certain life support systems, marking a historic milestone as the first commercial space station.
The Haven-1 is designed to accommodate a crew of four for space tourism, featuring a photography dome and Wi-Fi, in addition to hosting smaller-scale microgravity experiments. It is envisioned as a precursor to the larger Haven-2, which Vast executive teams aim to position as a successor to the ISS.
“Everyone, including Vast, is preparing for 2030,” says Colin Smith from Vast. “With the ISS scheduled to deorbit at the end of 2030, there’s a growing urgency as we near 2025.”
Sierra Space is another player with plans for a 2026 space station, currently developing the Dream Chaser spaceplane. This company intends to launch a prototype of its expandable space station module called the Large Scale Integrated Flexible Environment in 2026, which will be part of the collaborative Orbital Reef project led by Blue Origin and Sierra Space.
The era of commercial space stations promises to differ significantly from that of the ISS, given the broader array of industry participants. “Numerous commercial space station models are emerging to cater to various markets,” Guenther notes. “I am eager to see how these companies distinguish themselves in order to attract clientele, and how competition can spur innovation.”
Many anticipate that private space stations will considerably lower the cost of operating in orbit, similarly to how private launch providers have made space access more economical.
“The ISS is the most expensive structure humanity has ever constructed, costing about $150 billion to support just seven individuals. Without changes, there will be no future for space commerce, manufacturing, or habitation,” Smith comments. “Our vision is to empower millions to thrive in space, and the steps we take now will pave the way for that future.”
Nonetheless, it remains uncertain whether market demand will support a flourishing space economy. The prospect of establishing multiple specialized space stations in orbit is thrilling, yet it necessitates clients beyond NASA and other national space organizations. As new stations commence operations this year, their sustainability will soon become apparent.
“There exist promising industries poised to expand into space, such as pharmaceuticals and materials,” Guenther remarks. “It will be fascinating to see which of these sectors flourish and grow.”
Distributing quantum information akin to traditional broadcasting may not be feasible, even with mathematical models designed to work around quantum mechanics’ inherent limitations.
It is a well-established fact that quantum copy machines cannot exist due to the no-cloning theorem, which is a fundamental principle of quantum physics that prevents the duplication of quantum states. However, physicists have explored the possibility of transmitting or broadcasting copies of quantum information to multiple recipients without breaching this law.
To achieve this, researchers must permit the quantum copies to differ slightly and integrate additional information processing steps for the receivers. Recently, Zhenhuan Liu from Tsinghua University in China and his team demonstrated that these methods might be impractically complex.
“There’s no ‘Ctrl+C’ in the quantum realm,” Liu states. “If you aim to send quantum information to several receivers, there are no quick fixes. You must generate sufficient copies and transmit each one individually.”
The researchers honed in on the previously discussed “virtual quantum broadcast” protocol. In this model, information is adjusted so that various states maintain correlations with each other, although not with identical physical replicas. The messages received are not precise duplicates but share enough characteristics to be valuable. This is analogous to a television network broadcasting slightly different episodes of a serialized drama to each household while generally maintaining the narrative flow. While this protocol is certainly functional, team member Xiangjing Liu at the National University of Singapore questioned its efficiency.
The team analyzed the effort required by recipients to ensure that the information they received, despite not being identical, remained useful. Their mathematical assessment indicated that viable quantum broadcasts may not be realistic.
Counterintuitively, even this optimized approach to quantum broadcasting demands more resources compared to methods like drafting individual letters for each recipient, akin to how group texts send messages to everyone simultaneously, according to team member Yunlong Xiao from Singapore’s scientific research institutions.
“If your sole objective is to simply relay quantum states across various locations, it’s questionable whether exploring virtual quantum broadcasts is a viable method,” says Seok Hyun Lee at Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology in Korea. He believes this protocol has never been considered a practical guideline for quantum communication but rather an investigation into the fundamental limits of quantum information theory.
Paolo Perinotti from Pavia University in Italy acknowledges the mathematical significance of the team’s efforts but also suggests it is unlikely to provide immediate benefits to quantum technology.
Looking forward, researchers are keen to explore the theoretical implications of this current analysis. It helps us comprehend the correlations permissible when manipulating quantum states, regardless of whether they are distributed over space or transmitted sequentially in time. Xiangjing Liu notes that this work could form the basis of a new framework for understanding quantum processes, emphasizing a clearer distinction between time and space compared to traditional methods.
In 2026, a group of astronauts is floating inside a gleaming white cylinder, positioned hundreds of kilometers above the Earth.
They gaze down at our planet through a 1.1-meter dome window and rest in an inflatable bed engineered for zero gravity, while conducting experiments focusing on human physiology, plant development, and protein crystallization.
Yet, this isn’t the International Space Station (ISS). It’s not managed by NASA, Roscosmos, or the China National Space Administration. This is Haven-1, the world’s inaugural commercial space station constructed by a private company named Vast.
Set to launch in May 2026 aboard the SpaceX Falcon 9, Haven-1 signifies transformative shifts in how we live and work in space.
“If you can achieve this prior to securing a NASA contract [to replace the ISS], using our funds, we have numerous CEOs,” says Max Haot to BBC Science Focus. “We will not only be the first commercial space station but also the sole predicted bidders to accomplish this.”
Minimum viable space station
Vast’s strategy is quick, concentrated, straightforward, and practical. Rather than constructing an extensive orbital laboratory, they designed a carefully constrained system that prioritizes safety and quality.
With a volume of 45m3 (1,590 feet)3, Haven-1 provides roughly the interior space of a small tour bus. Its life support system operates on a simpler “open loop” model, adapted from previous NASA technology and utilized during the space shuttle era.
The crew will stay for shorter durations compared to the ISS. Instead, four astronauts will visit for approximately 10 days, arriving aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. Over Haven-1’s projected three-year orbital lifespan, only four such missions are planned.
“As a demonstration of a minimally viable product space station, safety is our top priority,” Haot states. “The second priority is achieving this within an unprecedented timeline. A swift timeline leads to reduced costs.”
Simplifying processes enables Vast to accelerate progress. The main structure is already assembled and will undergo testing this summer after completion in July. By early next year, the entire system should be integrated, and final tests will commence.
Haven-1 hosts four crew members at a time on a 10-day mission. – Extensive
Stations that look like the future
Aesthetically, Haven-1 is a remarkable departure from its predecessor. While the ISS is an engineering marvel, it often resembles a floating plumbing workshop. Haven-1 is designed with a science fiction aesthetic. Its interior is clean, functional, and sleek for space habitats.
This aesthetic reimagining is not solely for show. It’s about functionality. “We go to space to work,” Haot explains. “It’s straightforward to understand that better rest, well-being, and communication lead to increased productivity.”
Here, Vast’s Human Factors team plays a crucial role, led by veteran NASA astronaut Drew Feestel.
For instance, sleep is facilitated using an inflatable bed that applies gentle pressure, mimicking the physical sensations astronauts crave in microgravity.
“Astronauts have various preferences for sleeping on the ISS,” says Haot. “Many opt for pressure against their bodies while they sleep.”
read more:
What occurs aboard the ship?
Each mission to Haven-1 will be shorter yet packed with activities. Scientists can engage approximately 40 crew members throughout the station’s lifespan, given the limited opportunities for human time in orbit.
“Humanity has limited time to learn about space habitation and test technology,” notes Haot. “We believe that you can be incredibly productive within that time.”
Already lined up are research projects addressing human biology, drug screening, plant development, and protein crystal formation. Vast has established partnerships with Redwire Space (USA), Yuri (Germany), and Exobios Fair (Luxembourg).
A French company, Interstellar Lab, is investigating plant growth in microgravity.
Between missions, the station will be utilized to experiment with artificial gravity systems. This is an early step toward enhancing safety and feasibility for long-duration space travel.
Haven-1 is more than just a research platform; it’s a strategic maneuver in a much broader competition.
NASA intends to retire the ISS around 2030 and is currently reviewing bids for the next-generation orbital platform. Haot aims to secure that contract, and launching Haven-1 early with private funding is a bold way to leap ahead of competitors.
“Our goal is to present the most compelling strategy among all contenders,” Haot explains. “We’ve already achieved this by being ahead in technology development, teams, facilities, and certification processes.”
However, winning the race is not guaranteed. A competing spaceflight company, Axiom Space, has already secured a $140 million contract from NASA to connect at least one module to the ISS. Work is ongoing at Axiom, with the inaugural launch slated for late 2026.
Other companies, including Blue Origin, Northrop Grumman, and Starlab, are also in the running.
If successful, the Vast team will be well-positioned when NASA makes its decisions in 2026. If NASA’s objectives do not come to fruition, they may explore opportunities with foreign governments and private entities interested in utilizing the station.
“We remain optimistic about the future of Vast, but our primary focus is internally,” affirms Haot. “Winning this opportunity is of pivotal significance—it’s the largest market opportunity currently in the space station sector.”
Despite shorter time frames, astronauts onboard will conduct hundreds of experiments. – Extensive
From Haven-1 to a comprehensive orbital hub
Haven-1 is just the beginning. Vast’s subsequent venture is Haven-2, a more advanced module adhering to the same philosophy. Starting in 2028, the company plans to launch new modules every six months, ultimately assembling a complete commercial station by 2032.
This modular future facilitates more frequent crew missions, civil research programs, and, ultimately, a broader orbital economy.
Thanks to a partnership with SpaceX, Haven-1 will also become the first space station connected to Starlink, providing ORBIT Gigabit Speed Internet.
“If you want to operate Haven-1 and communicate continuously, you can,” Haot asserts. “This will significantly change how the public and crew interact.”
Redefining space
Haven-1 may not be the largest or the most sophisticated station in orbit, but it will be the first entirely constructed, funded, and operated by private enterprises. That’s the crux of its significance.
Vast aims to reshape the landscape of low Earth orbit, illustrating that space infrastructure can be efficient, elegant, and commercially viable. Whether in science, exploration, or industry, HAOT believes the future of space belongs not to nations, but to those who reach the stars first.
“The goal isn’t to erect luxury hotels in space to attract tourists,” emphasizes Haot. “The aim is to create a robust environment that supports exploration.”
“It’s not without risks. We need to observe what transpires in reality.”
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About our experts
Max Hat is an entrepreneur with a background in aerospace, appliances, and the internet. He currently serves as the CEO of Vast.
NASA’s Anne McClain ventured out from the International Space Station alongside Nichole Ayers. Both are military officers and pilots who returned instead of going to the Orbit Lab in March with two other astronauts. Now, I’m back home.
Just before floating out, McClain spotted a loose string on the index finger of her right glove. Mission Control briefly postponed the launch to ensure her glove was secure.
During the mission, the duo prepared the space station for a new solar panel and adjusted the antenna at the 260-mile-high complex.
On Wednesday evening, the space station needed to be elevated slightly to avoid debris: remnants of a 20-year-old Chinese rocket.
McClain, an army colonel and helicopter pilot, was originally set to participate in the first all-female spacewalk in 2019, but the medium-sized suit was insufficient. The historic mission was accomplished by Christina Koch and Jessica Meir. This latest outing marks the fifth time a woman has gone outside the spacecraft in a 60-year history.
NASA’s SpaceX Crew-10 astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers prepare for launch at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on March 14. Craig Bailey / USA Today Network
Koch is set to become the first woman to fly to the moon. Along with three male astronauts, she will orbit the moon without landing next year as part of NASA’s Artemis program, the successor to Apollo.
Currently, men continue to outnumber women in NASA’s astronaut corps.
Out of NASA’s 47 active astronauts, 20 are women. Among the seven astronauts now aboard the space station, McClain and Ayers are the only females. This marks Ayers’ first mission, while McClain is on her third.
China has successfully launched three astronauts into space as part of the crew replacement mission for China’s Tiangong space station, marking another milestone in the country’s aspirations for manned missions to the moon and Mars.
The Shenzhou 20 spacecraft lifted off as scheduled at 5:17pm (0917 GMT) atop China’s Long March 2F rocket, set to arrive at Tiangong after approximately 6.5 hours.
The rocket launched from a facility near the Gobi Desert in northwestern China, and the spacecraft will remain in space until it returns the current crew back to Earth.
Tiangong, also known as the “Celestial Palace” space station, is a Chinese-built station that positions China as a significant player in space exploration after being excluded from the International Space Station due to US national security concerns. China’s space program is overseen by the People’s Liberation Army, a military branch of the ruling Communist Party.
There are concerns about China’s potential use of technology onboard the space station to interfere with satellites and other spacecraft in times of crisis.
Astronauts Chen Zonglui, Chen Dong and Wang Jie embarked on the delayed space mission at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on Thursday. Andy Wong / AP
Since sending its first astronauts into space in 2003, China has made significant strides in its space program, becoming the third country to do so. It has also landed explorers on Mars and the far side of the moon, with plans to land humans on the moon by 2030.
The Shenzhou 20 mission is led by astronaut Chen Dong, on his third spaceflight, accompanied by fighter pilot Chen Zonglui and engineer Wang Ji. Unlike previous crews, the Shenzhou 20 mission consists entirely of male astronauts.
The incoming crew will replace the current astronauts on board the Chinese space station, staying onboard for approximately six months, like their predecessors.
Scheduled to reach Tianong after 6.5 hours, the spacecraft was launched into space atop the Chinese Long March 2 rocket at 5:17pm on March 2.
The current crew was sent last October and spent 175 days in space. They are set to return on April 29, following a brief overlap with the incoming crew. Tianong, completed in October 2022, has a capacity of up to six people.
During their mission, the astronauts will conduct medical and technological experiments, perform spacewalks for maintenance tasks, and install new equipment, as announced by the Manned Space Agency.
SpaceX Crew Capsules finally reached the International Space Station in Cape Canaveral, Fla. more than a day after the explosion. They are there to provide an alternative to NASA’s two occupied astronauts.
The four new arrivals from the US, Japan, and Russia will spend the next few days learning about the space station from Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams. They will then secure themselves in their own SpaceX capsule later this week. One of the astronauts has been aboard the station since last year, concluding an unexpected extended mission that began last June.
Originally, Wilmore and Williams expected their space trip on Boeing’s first astronaut flight to only last a week. However, they have now spent nine months in space, waiting for the Starliner capsule while encountering numerous issues.
Upon arrival at the space station, Wilmore opened the hatch and rang the ship’s bells as the new astronauts floated in one by one, greeted with hugs and handshakes.
“It’s been a great day. It’s nice to see our friends arrive,” Williams reported to Mission Control.
Wilmore and Williams arrived in late September with a reduced crew of two, leaving two empty seats reserved on the crew. However, delays occurred when the new capsules needed extensive battery repairs, forcing the old capsules to be replaced and pushing the return home to mid-March.
Assuming the weather permits, the SpaceX capsules carrying Wilmore, Williams, and two other astronauts will detach from the space station before Wednesday and will land off the coast of Florida.
Currently, there are 11 astronauts stationed in the orbital labs, representing the US, Russia, and Japan.
Four astronauts were launched into orbit on their way to the International Space Station on Friday evening. The astronauts included NASA’s Anne McLain and Nicole Ayers, Japanese astronaut Onysia, and Russian astronaut Kirill Peskov. They were lifted from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center at 7:03 pm and soared into the blue sky over Florida approximately 48 hours after the initial launch.
“This mission is evidence of what humans can achieve when we work together,” Ayers radioed mission control during the smooth countdown.
The Crew 10 mission is part of the regular rotation of NASA crew members to the space station. This particular mission is drawing more attention as it involves the anticipated return of NASA astronauts Snie Williams and Butch Willmore back to Earth.
Crew-10 Mission Roscosmos Cosmonaut Kirill Peskov, NASA ASTRONUTS NICHOLE AYERES and ANNE MCCLAIN and JAXA ASTRONAUT TAKUYA ONISHI on Wednesday.Gregg Newton / AFP / Getty Images
Williams and Wilmore have been in the spotlight for months due to unusual circumstances in orbit. They were initially scheduled for a one-week stay in June as part of a test flight for Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft but encountered vehicle issues that extended their stay at the space station.
The new crew will relieve Williams, Wilmore, and two others for a six-month stint at the space station, including NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian astronaut Alexander Golvnov.
The crew of Crew 10 was launched atop the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The first reusable booster stage successfully returned to Earth about ten minutes after liftoff, landing at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
“Tonight was an honor to fly with you,” said a SpaceX flight director to the crew in orbit. “We will support you on your journey and wish you the best.”
The crew of 10 astronauts will spend over 28 hours in low-Earth orbit traveling to the space station. They are expected to reach the space station on Saturday. The return crew could depart as early as March 19th, according to NASA.
More than 270 people arrived at the space station. NASA astronauts Butch Willmore and Suni Williams arrived on June 6th.NASA
The recent launch attempts added drama to the situation. The countdown was halted on Wednesday with 40 minutes remaining due to a ground system issue at the launch pad. The astronauts were already strapped inside the dragon capsule when the decision was made.
The Crew 10 Group consists of a mix of experienced astronauts and first-timers, all with a background as pilots. McLain and Onisi are visiting the space station for the second time, while Ayers and Peskov are on their first space flight journey.
Arrivals at the space station mark the beginning of a handover period which includes training new crews and catching up on scientific experiments, maintenance work, and other projects.
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is being prepared for launch at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Wednesday.Craig Bailey/Reuters
Williams, Wilmore, Hague, and Golbunov are expected to return to Earth via the SpaceX Dragon Capsule, where Hague and Golbunov originally flew to the space station. The Starliner spacecraft, which encountered issues, is being brought back to Earth without any crew onboard.
The extended stay of Williams and Wilmore in low-earth orbit has gained political attention, with claims by SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and President Donald Trump regarding their return to Earth. However, NASA has planned to use SpaceX vehicles for the return journey since the announcement in August.
The journey to the International Space Station for the four astronauts has been delayed due to issues with one of the clamp arms holding the SpaceX rocket in place on the launch pad. The mission controller stopped the planned launch on Wednesday, and NASA has not yet announced the new release date and time.
Originally, astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Willmore were expected to stay at the ISS for just a week in June as part of a test flight for Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, but due to vehicle issues, they are now in orbit for nine months.
Astronauts Butch Willmore and Suni Williams will be on the ISS in June. AP
The launch for Crew 10 was scrubbed with about 43 minutes left on the countdown clock. The lift-off was scheduled for 7:48pm from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on a Falcon 9 rocket.
There are additional opportunities for the launch this week on Thursday at 7:26pm and Friday at 7:03pm, pending resolution of clamp arm hydraulic issues.
SpaceX Crew-10 Commander Anne McClain is waving alongside his crew at the Kennedy Space Center on Friday. From left are pilots Nicole Ayers, Japanese astronauts Onish and McClain, and astronaut Kiril Peskov. Greg Newton / AFP-Getty Images
Once Crew 10 arrives at the space station, they will take over from the current crew, including Williams, Wilmore, and two other members, preparing for the astronauts’ return home.
Williams and Wilmore will return home on the SpaceX Dragon Capsule, which arrived at the space station in September. This will mark the end of their months-long mission on the ISS.
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the Crew Dragon spaceship is being prepared for launch at the Kennedy Space Center on Wednesday. Terry Renna / AP
The situation has sparked political discussion, with SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and President Donald Trump involved. Trump claimed that the Biden administration returned the astronauts to Earth for political reasons, which has been refuted. Plans for NASA to use SpaceX vehicles for the return journey remain unchanged.
NASA has not yet announced the date of the crew’s closure and landing, which typically occurs after a handover period for exchanging information about ongoing projects at the space station.
Hawaii’s Mauna Loa Observatory has been recording atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations since 1958.
Fred Espenak/Science Photo Library
Atmospheric carbon dioxide levels measured by Hawaii’s Mauna Loa Observatory weather station increased by 3.58 parts per million in 2024, the largest increase since records began in 1958.
‘We’re still going in the wrong direction,’ climate scientists say Richard Betts At the Met Office, the UK’s weather bureau.
Part of this record increase is due to carbon dioxide emissions from human activities such as fossil fuel burning and deforestation, which reached an all-time high in 2024. Added to this were numerous wildfires caused by record global warming driven by climate change. Long-term warming plus El Niño weather patterns.
Betts predicted that atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations measured at Mauna Loa would rise by 2.26 parts per million (ppm) this year, with a margin of error of 0.56 ppm either way. This is significantly lower than the 2024 record, but it would exceed the last possible pathway to limiting the rise in global surface temperatures to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
“You can think of this as another nail in the 1.5°C coffin,” Betts says. “Now that’s highly unlikely.”
Atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration is the most important indicator when it comes to climate change, as increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration is the main driver of short- and long-term warming. The first continuous measurements of CO2 levels were taken at Mauna Loa.
“Because this station has the longest observation record and is located far from major anthropogenic and natural sources of CO2 emissions and sinks, it is often used to represent changes in global CO2 concentrations. It will be done.” Richard Engelen At the EU’s Copernicus Atmospheric Monitoring Service.
However, observations from satellites have made it possible to directly measure the global average atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration. According to CAMS, it rose by 2.9 ppm in 2024. Although this is not a record, it is one of the largest increases since satellite observations began.
“The reasons for this large increase require further investigation, but are likely a combination of a recovery in emissions in much of the world after the coronavirus pandemic and interannual fluctuations in natural carbon sinks.” says Engelen. Carbon sinks refer to marine and terrestrial ecosystems that absorb about half of the carbon dioxide emitted by humans.
It has long been predicted that as the Earth warms, this excess CO2 will become less absorbed. “The concern is whether this is the beginning of that,” Betts said. “We don’t know.”
At Mauna Loa, carbon dioxide increases will be higher than global average levels in 2024 due to the large number of wildfires in the Northern Hemisphere, Betts said. CO2 plumes from sources such as wildfires take time to mix evenly into the world’s atmosphere. “Fire emissions in the Northern Hemisphere were particularly high last year,” he says.
Although it is now certain that global warming will exceed the 1.5°C threshold, Betts believes it is still the right goal to set that goal. “The Paris Agreement is carefully worded to seek to limit global warming to 1.5%. We recognized from the beginning that this would be difficult,” he says. “The idea was to set this stretch goal to motivate action, and I actually think it was successful. It galvanized action.”
The International Space Station (ISS) is nearing the end of its lifespan, with agencies around the world planning to decommission it around 2030. After nearly 24 years of continuous use by astronauts from the U.S., Russia, Europe, Japan, Canada, and many other regions, the giant orbiting spacecraft is showing its age, and it’s nearly time to bring it down before its aging parts are destroyed in far more dangerous ways (see Inside NASA’s Ambitious Plan to Crash the ISS to Earth).
The effort to keep such a huge research facility in orbit has been controversial, with some saying it’s a waste of money and that it should have been taken off orbit long ago. Critics claim that the facility hasn’t lived up to all expectations and that the scientific results from research on the space station don’t contribute enough to problems on Earth. These criticisms may or may not be true, but they miss the point.
The ISS has always symbolized the possibility of a better world of peace and cooperation as a global collaboration in a very challenging adventure in space. Its two major stakeholders, the United States and Russia, have long been at odds on the ground, yet their astronauts continue to work together on the space station to increase global knowledge and reach into the solar system. The ISS is a symbol of humanity working towards a common goal.
With the ISS gone, it will be nearly impossible to see the same view again. NASA and other space agencies have their eye on the Moon, where the possibility of building an international astronaut village there, while promising, remains a pipe dream for now. The ISS, a prime example of international cooperation, will burn up in the atmosphere and sink into the ocean. Its loss will have ripples that go beyond space science. It would represent a decline in the global cooperation needed to address the big challenges the world currently faces, such as climate change, and is a loss we should all mourn.
NASA is considering keeping its two astronauts there until February as they make their way to the International Space Station after the Boeing spacecraft encountered problems during the flight.
NASA said Wednesday it was still considering options for how to return astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams safely to Earth and that no plans had been made yet, but officials acknowledged more openly than before that it may decide to use a SpaceX capsule instead.
“Our first option is to return Butch and Suni aboard Starliner,” Steve Stich, NASA’s commercial crew program manager, said at a press conference Wednesday. “But we are making the necessary plans to ensure we have other options and are working with SpaceX to ensure we are prepared to respond.”
Wilmore and Williams arrived at the space station on June 6 on the first crewed test flight of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. The original plan was to stay in space for about a week. But a problem with five of Starliner’s thrusters caused the spacecraft’s propulsion system to leak helium, leaving the astronauts stranded in space for more than two months while engineers on the ground gather data on the problem and attempt to troubleshoot it.
The mission was planned as the final step before Boeing is approved to launch regular crewed flights to the ISS, a process whose fate is now up in the air.
NASA gave no indication of when astronauts might return in the Boeing capsule, but Stich said a final decision would need to be made by mid-August.
NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore (left) and Suni Williams before boarding the Boeing Starliner spacecraft at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on May 6. John Laux/AP File
Meanwhile, the launch of one of SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, which was scheduled to deliver a new crew of four to the space station later this month, has been postponed to give NASA and Boeing more time to address issues with the Starliner.
SpaceX mission (Crew 9) NASA officials said they could change plans to send just two crew members into space on the spacecraft instead of four, and use the capsule to bring Wilmore and Williams home.
Ken Bowersox, associate administrator for NASA’s Space Operations Mission Directorate, said there had been disagreements over how to bring the astronauts home safely.
“We have to admit that when we have disagreements, it’s not fun,” Bowersox said. “Those discussions can be painful, but that’s what makes us a good organization, and it helps us make good decisions in the future when we get to that point, and I don’t think we’re that far away.”
If Wilmore and Williams were to return to Earth in a separate spacecraft, mission managers could adjust Starliner’s software to detach it from the space station and return to Earth without a crew member, Stich said.
Boeing officials did not attend the briefing, but a company representative said in a statement that “we remain confident in Starliner’s capabilities and flight principles.”
“Should NASA decide to modify the mission, we will take the necessary steps to prepare Starliner for an uncrewed return,” the statement said.
The thruster problem occurred as Starliner approached the space station in June, forcing a delay in the docking process. Meanwhile, the helium leak was already on mission managers’ radar before launch, who said at the time that the leak was unlikely to affect the mission or the safety of astronauts.
NASA and Boeing engineers have been trying to replicate on-orbit conditions with a test engine at NASA’s White Sands Test Facility in New Mexico, and mission managers have also conducted two “hot-fire” tests in space, in which the capsule’s thrusters were briefly fired while docked to the space station.
Stich said Wednesday that tests showed that small Teflon seals expand under high temperatures, possibly contributing to the thruster failure. When the seals expand, they likely block the flow of propellant to the thrusters, he said.
Further testing is needed to understand the cause of the potential blockage and why it went undetected during the recent hot-fire test. Last week, NASA reported that the thrusters used to steer the spacecraft in orbit and guide it into position before re-entering Earth’s atmosphere appeared to be stable.
“This gives us a lot of confidence in the thruster, but we can’t prove with complete certainty that what we’re seeing in orbit is exactly what we’re replicating on the ground,” Stich said.
The recent Starliner debacle has been a blow to Boeing, especially since the program was already years behind schedule and more than $1.5 billion over budget before astronauts even launched.
Boeing and SpaceX developed the space capsule as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, an effort launched more than a decade ago to help private companies build new spacecraft to carry astronauts to low Earth orbit. The program began after NASA retired the Space Shuttle.
SpaceX has been ferrying astronauts to the International Space Station since 2020.
Dennis Chou
Dennis Chou is a science and space reporter for NBC News.
Tom Costello, Jay Blackman and Juliet Arcodia Contributed.
Beyond eating floating food and introducing curious Earthlings to vacuum toilets, the crew of the International Space Station (ISS) have some serious work to do as their time on the ISS nears its end.
Since the space station opened, astronauts have conducted more than 3,000 experiments in the microgravity and high radiation of low Earth orbit. Experiments range from making sure fertility levels remain unchanged (in mice, not in the crew) to testing the feasibility of using lunar soil to make concrete that will help build a future lunar base. Here are four of the most impressive aspects of ISS research.
Artificial retina
Millions of people suffer from a degenerative disease that affects the retina (the layer of light-sensitive cells at the back of the eye), and there is no cure, only treatments that slow its progression. But implants that mimic the function of the retina could be a solution, and US-based company Lambda Vision has successfully produced them by depositing layer after layer of a light-activated protein called bacteriorhodopsin. On Earth, solutions of bacteriorhodopsin tended to clot and deposit poorly, but much better results were achieved earlier this decade. In microgravity on the International Space Station Lambda Vision is currently seeking to scale up manufacturing of its artificial retinas in space, claiming that these are among the first technologies with potential clinical use to be evaluated on the ISS.
Invisible Flame
When you light a match, the wood burns and reacts with oxygen to produce heat, light, and other substances such as carbon…
The International Space Station (ISS) has been operational since 2000 and is continuously manned by astronauts, orbiting Earth every 90 minutes.
Throughout its operation, the ISS has served as a hub for scientific experiments, space travel research, and international cooperation. Over 280 astronauts from more than 23 countries have visited the space station.
However, as the decade nears its end, the ISS is reaching the end of its functional lifespan, prompting the need to address its future once it’s no longer in use.
Abandoning the craft is not an option due to its size and potential risk to other satellites in orbit. NASA has explored various options, including pushing the ISS higher, but ultimately determined that salvaging parts for historical preservation or technical analysis would be too complex and costly.
Therefore, the only viable solution is to deorbit the ISS. SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, has been awarded an $843 million contract by NASA to develop and deliver a deorbit vehicle for the ISS.
Plans are still being finalized, but the general idea is for the deorbit vehicle to guide the ISS into the atmosphere, where most of it will burn up upon re-entry. Careful considerations will be made to ensure any remaining parts land in uninhabited areas.
With the ISS’s days numbered, the future of space habitation is shifting towards private sector initiatives, such as NASA’s Commercial Low Earth Orbit Development program and the Lunar Gateway project.
Despite the end of the ISS era, experts like Dr. Darren Baskill emphasize the station’s contributions to science, exploration, and international collaboration, paving the way for future advancements in space.
About our experts
Darren Baskill is an Outreach Officer and Lecturer at the University of Sussex, with a background in astronomy and science outreach.
Two NASA astronauts aboard Boeing's Starliner spacecraft successfully docked at the International Space Station on Thursday, despite issues with the spacecraft's thrusters.
NASA confirmed that astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams docked with the space station at 1:34 p.m. ET.
“It's good to be connected to the great city of the sky,” Wilmore told mission controllers on the ground.
The docking attempt, originally scheduled for 12:15 p.m. ET, was postponed due to problems with five thrusters on the Starliner.
Boeing's Starliner spacecraft docked with the International Space Station at 1:34 p.m. ET on June 6. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
The hatch between the Starliner capsule and the space station was opened about two hours after docking.
Astronaut Williams was the first to enter the space station, greeted by the ISS crew members already on board.
Wilmore and Williams expressed their gratitude to the teams that worked to get them to the ISS and said they were ready to begin work in orbit.
Their arrival brings the International Space Station to full capacity.
Wilmore and Williams are expected to spend about a week on the ISS before potentially returning to Earth on June 14.
Flight controllers will continue to monitor the capsule's reaction control thrusters for further adjustments.
The Starliner capsule is capable of autonomous docking with the space station.
The Boeing Starliner spacecraft prepares to dock with the International Space Station. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Boeing's Starliner spacecraft is more than 24 hours away from its first crewed test flight to the space station.
The test flight aims to demonstrate the capsule's ability to safely transport NASA astronauts to the International Space Station.
Starliner launched on June 5th from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
Joe Raedl/Getty Images
Boeing has successfully launched its Starliner spacecraft with a crew for the first time on its third attempt, a landmark launch that gives NASA two commercial options for sending astronauts into space: Boeing and SpaceX.
Starliner was launched on an Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida. June 5th, 10:52 AM (local time) After several years of delays, the manned launch has finally come to fruition. Initially, the manned launch was expected to take place by the end of 2017, but the plans fell behind schedule. The mission was finally scheduled to launch in May, but a valve failure forced NASA to abort the mission. The second launch on June 1 was scheduled for Discarded Due to computer problems.
But the third launch just a few days later was successful, with the capsule reaching orbit as planned. Carrying NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, they made the 24-hour journey to the International Space Station, where they will stay for about a week to test various systems before returning to Earth aboard the same spacecraft.
The capsule was named Calypso. Reportedly Named after Jacques Cousteau's oceanographic ship, the mission's goal is to verify that Starliner is safe to transport crew to the ISS. If these tests are successful and the two astronauts return safely to Earth aboard Starliner, similar ships could begin annual crewed flights to the space station.
Each Starliner is designed to last up to 10 round trips, carrying up to seven people per flight, though a standard operational flight will likely only carry three or four astronauts.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Two contracts won Ten years ago, there were bids for a shuttle ship to transport crew to the International Space Station. One bid was for Boeing's Starliner, the other was SpaceX's Dragon capsule. Dragon outdid Starliner with its first crewed flight in 2020.
Starliner will be the sixth manned orbital spacecraft launched by the United States, following Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, Space Shuttle and Dragon.
The SpaceX Dragon cargo ship approaches the International Space Station while orbiting 461 miles above Indonesia’s sub-sea coastline on the company’s 29th commercial resupply mission to NASA. Credit: NASA
After a series of delays due to bad weather, NASA and SpaceX are currently targeting until 5:05 p.m. EST Wednesday, Dec. 20, for the company’s 29th Dragon Commercial Supply Service Mission undocking from the International Space Station (ISS). The integrated team continues to assess weather conditions as the cold front passes through the splashdown zone off the coast of Florida to determine optimal opportunities for autonomous shore departure. Coverage of Wednesday’s Dragon departure begins at 4:45 p.m. on the NASA+ streaming service, NASA app, NASA Television, YouTube, and the agency’s website. Learn how to stream NASA TV through various platforms including social media. After re-entering the atmosphere, the spacecraft will fly off the coast of Florida, but the event will not be broadcast on NASA TV.
The SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft, developed by SpaceX, represents a major advancement in commercial spaceflight. The spacecraft is designed to transport cargo to the International Space Station (ISS) and return cargo to Earth. The Dragon spaceship has two versions: Cargo Dragon and Crew Dragon (Dragon 2). Cargo Dragon, in particular, is an unmanned vehicle that plays a key role in resupply missions. The Dragon spacecraft is known for its ability to carry critical payloads, with a pressurized capsule for sensitive scientific experiments and an unpressurized “trunk” for additional cargo. It is one of the few spacecraft capable of returning to Earth large amounts of cargo essential for ISS research and experiments. Due to Dragon’s versatility and reusability, it plays a critical role in maintaining a continuous flow of supplies and scientific research within the ISS.
The International Space Station (ISS) is a marvel of modern space technology and international cooperation. As the Space Environment Research Institute, scientific research is conducted in areas such as astrobiology, astronomy, meteorology, and physics. The ISS is a joint project with NASA, Roscosmos (Russia), JAXA (Japan), ESA (Europe), and CSA (Canada). The ISS, which orbits the Earth approximately every 90 minutes, serves as a microgravity and space environment laboratory where crew members conduct experiments in fields such as biology, human biology, physics, astronomy, and meteorology. The space station is also suitable for testing spacecraft systems and equipment needed for long-term missions to and from the moon and Mars. The ISS has been continuously occupied since November 2000 and represents the pinnacle of human achievement, both in terms of international cooperation and humanity’s continued presence in space.
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