Replacement crew docks at International Space Station, restoring seven-person crew

A SpaceX Crew Dragon carrying four astronauts docked at the International Space Station on Feb. 14, restoring the station's crew to seven after four members returned early last month because of a medical issue.

A SpaceX Crew Dragon carrying four astronauts docked at the International Space Station on Feb. 14, restoring the lab's crew to seven after four members came home early last month for a medical matter. The spacecraft attached to the space-facing port of the Harmony module about 34 hours after launch from Kennedy Space Center. The new arrivals joined three crew members who launched on a Russian Soyuz in November. NASA has not disclosed details about the earlier medical issue under its privacy rules. Known details: - The Crew Dragon docked at 3:15 p.m. Eastern Time at the space-facing port of the Harmony module. - The spacecraft launched from Kennedy Space Center atop a Falcon 9 rocket and arrived about 34 hours later. - Crew members who arrived are commander Jessica Meir, cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev, astronaut Jack Hathaway and ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot. - They were welcomed aboard by commander Sergey Kud-Sverchkov, Sergey Mikaev and NASA astronaut Chris Williams, who remained on station after four crewmates left early last month. - The station was operating with three people after the early departure, which limited the pace of U.S. segment research and prevented spacewalks that require two suited astronauts. - The newly arrived crew requested a private post-docking medical conference; NASA does not disclose individual health details. Summary: With Crew 12 aboard, the station's complement returns to seven, allowing the U.S. segment to resume its usual research tempo and enabling spacewalks to be staged as needed. Mission control confirmed support for the crew's post-docking medical conference. Undetermined at this time.