Getting crowded in here...

[GordonD]

A week ago, while nobody was looking (least of all the UK news media), the Russians launched another Soyuz. MS-15 docked with the ISS six hours after launch, carrying a crew of three: Oleg Skripochka, Jessica Meir from the USA and Hazzaa Al Mansoori from the United Arab Emirates. This has temporarily taken the ISS crew up to nine, though this won't last much longer as Expedition 60 is due to end very soon. Al Mansoori is a Spaceflight Participant (fare-paying passenger) and the reason there was a spare seat for him is that there will only be a partial crew exchange this time round. Christine Koch, who was launched in March aboard MS-12, will remain on board the ISS while her colleagues Ovchinin and Hague return alongside Al Mansoori. Ovchinin and Hague were, of course, involved in the MS-10 launch abort almost a year ago. Koch is currently due to return to Earth in February, by which time she will have broken the record for a single flight by a female, currently held by Peggy Whitson (289 days). It will still fall short of the US record, held by Scott Kelly (340 days) while the overall female record is well out of reach - Whitson again, with a total of 665 days over three missions.

[Eric Mc]

Hope the loos were able to cope.

[GordonD]

5 hours ago, Eric Mc said:

Hope the loos were able to cope.

Good point. It's not as if you can just open a window!

[Eric Mc]

It would certainly get rid of any nasty smells.