Introduction

The International Space Station (ISS) has just wrapped up an eventful third quarter of 2024, characterized by an unusually large crew in orbit as a result of the recent Starliner Crew Flight Test (CFT). The ISS hosted a larger number of astronauts since the Starliner Calypso's arrival on June 6, which has now made way for the return to normal crew size with the upcoming departure of Crew-8 aboard Crew Dragon Endeavour.

Crew Changes and Missions

August saw a whirlwind of activity aboard the ISS, with Starliner Calypso initially docked while plans shifted unexpectedly regarding the arrival of Crew-9. Traditionally a four-astronaut team, Crew-9 will instead consist of just two astronauts, Nick Hague and Aleksandr Gorbunov from Roscosmos, alongside CFT crew members Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams for a six-month stint in space. Former Crew-9 commander Zena Cardman and mission specialist Stephanie Wilson are now positioned for upcoming missions.

Cargo Operations

The transition period also involved a successful launch of the Northrop Grumman Cygnus cargo ship on August 4, named after STS-51L mission commander Dick Scobee. It is now berthed at the ISS Unity module, where it will remain until January 2025, providing essential supplies and scientific equipment.

Expedition 71 Conclusion

In tandem, Roscosmos has been actively managing its crew rotations, successfully launching Soyuz MS-26 on September 11, which brought new crew members to the Russian segment of the ISS. After a smooth handover period, Expedition 71 officially concluded with Soyuz MS-25 undocking on September 23, marking the safe return of its crew to Earth.

Record-setting Duration

Notably, Oleg Kononenko and Nikolai Chub set a record for the longest continuous stay aboard the ISS, accumulating an impressive 374 days in space. This feat significantly contributes to humanity's understanding of long-term spaceflight effects—vital knowledge as we look towards future missions to Mars, which would require extended time in a microgravity environment.

Looking Ahead to Expedition 72

With the upcoming Crew-9 launch now scheduled for September 28, the astronauts aboard Crew Dragon Freedom will initiate a handover process upon docking. Crew-8's planned departure is set for October 6. Interestingly, this will mark one of the last splashdowns for the Crew Dragon off the eastern United States, as SpaceX transitions recovery operations to the west coast next year to prioritize safety.

Scientific Endeavors and Maintenance