CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The International Space Station (ISS) has resumed full operations following the successful arrival of four new astronauts this Saturday. Their mission is to take the place of previous crew members who had to make an early departure due to health-related issues.

SpaceX, a leader in aerospace innovation, was responsible for safely transporting this diverse team of astronauts from Cape Canaveral to the ISS. This mission marks another milestone in international cooperation in space exploration, welcoming astronauts from the United States, France, and Russia.

The recent crew addition comes after an unprecedented event in NASA’s 65 years of human spaceflight—a medical evacuation. One of the astronauts launched by SpaceX last summer experienced a significant health crisis, necessitating a swift return to Earth. This left the station with only a trio of astronauts—one American and two Russians—to manage operations, forcing NASA to halt spacewalks and scale back research activities.

Settling in for an extended stay of eight to nine months are NASA’s Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, France’s Sophie Adenot, and Russia’s Andrei Fedyaev. Both Meir, a marine biologist, and Fedyaev, a former military pilot, have previously experienced life aboard the ISS. Meir notably participated in the first all-female spacewalk during her 2019 mission.

Adding to the crew’s international flavor, Sophie Adenot, a military helicopter pilot, joins the ranks as only the second French woman to venture into space. Accompanying her is Jack Hathaway, a U.S. Navy captain, rounding out this skilled team.

Upon docking 277 miles (446 kilometers) above Earth, a cheerful “Bonjour!” was called out by Adenot, marking her arrival. Meir expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “Grateful to be on board, and we’re ready to get to work.” This marks the beginning of a new chapter in the ISS’s ongoing mission of scientific discovery and collaboration.

NASA has refused to divulge the identity of the astronaut who fell ill in orbit on Jan. 7 or explain what happened, citing medical privacy. The ailing astronaut and three others returned to Earth more than a month sooner than planned. They spent their first night back on Earth at the hospital before returning to Houston.

The space agency said it did not alter its preflight medical checks for their replacements.

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