Four astronauts arrive at the International Space Station to replace evacuated crew

SpaceX delivered four astronauts to the International Space Station to replace four colleagues who returned to Earth after a medical evacuation earlier this year.

Four new astronauts have arrived at the International Space Station, joining three crew already on board. They flew to orbit aboard a SpaceX Dragon after launching from Cape Canaveral. They replace four colleagues who returned to Earth following a medical evacuation earlier this year. NASA described that evacuation as its first medical evacuation in 65 years. Key facts: - SpaceX delivered the four astronauts — Jessica Meir, Jack Hathaway, Sophie Adenot and Andrey Fedyaev — to the station about 277 miles (446km) above Earth. - Video shared by NASA shows the newcomers floating through the Dragon hatch and greeting the existing crew with hugs and high-fives. - The earlier evacuation followed a serious health issue reported on 7 January; NASA has declined to identify the astronaut who fell ill. - Meir and Fedyaev have previously lived on the station, and Meir took part in the first all-female spacewalk in 2019. - The incoming crew are scheduled to remain on board for eight to nine months. Summary: The arrival restores a seven-person crew after four returned early due to a medical evacuation. The newcomers are scheduled to stay for eight to nine months. Undetermined at this time.