It took 21 hours for the flight from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center to the glittering outpost.
The one German and three U.S. astronauts mentioned it was an emotional second after they first noticed the area station 20 miles (30 kilometres) distant — “a pretty glorious sight,” in line with Raja Chari, commander of the Dragon capsule.
“Floating in space and shining like a diamond,” famous German astronaut Matthias Maurer. “We’re all very thrilled, very excited.”
The Dragon’s whole flight was automated, with Chari and pilot Tom Marshburn monitoring the capsule techniques, able to take management if vital. At one level, they reported what regarded like a “gnarled knob” or presumably a small mechanical nut floating previous their digital camera’s area of view, however SpaceX Mission Control mentioned it posed no concern. The docking occurred 263 miles (423 kilometers) above the japanese Caribbean.
The station’s welcoming committee consisted of three astronauts as a substitute of the initially deliberate seven. That’s as a result of SpaceX returned 4 of the station residents on Monday, after the brand new arrivals’ launch stored getting delayed.
“I can’t tell you how happy I am to see these smiling faces,” NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei mentioned after embracing every of the newcomers. “Every one of us, all seven of us, are friends, and we’re going to become even better friends as time goes on.”
Vande Hei and one of many two Russians on board are halfway by a one-year mission that gained’t finish till March.
While Chari, Marshburn, Maurer and NASA astronaut Kayla Barron have been adapting to weightlessness — all however Marshburn are area rookies — the earlier crew was adjusting to life again on Earth. “Gravity sucks, but getting used to it slowly,” Japanese astronaut Akihoki Hoshide tweeted.
The new crew will spend the subsequent six months on the area station and, throughout that point, host two teams of visiting vacationers. Russia will launch the primary bunch in December and SpaceX the second in February.