There are now 11 people on the International Space Station — the largest number in a decade — after the arrival of the SpaceX crew over the weekend, according to the Associated Press. The astronauts represent the U.S. as well as Russia, Japan, and France.
“In this tough situation around the world, I believe you have brought courage and hope for all of us,” Japanese Space Agency President Hiroshi Yamakawa said.
The mission on the Crew-2 Dragon capsule Endeavor had four astronauts on board and was SpaceX’s third flight for NASA. It was also the first to use a recycled aircraft.
The astronauts on the mission include: NASA astronaut Shane Kimbrough, 53, mission pilot Megan McArthur, 49, of NASA; Pesquet, 43, of the European Space Agency; and Akihito Hoshide, 52, from the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency.
“I’ve never seen so many astronauts on board,” Pesquet said. “I’ve never seen so many different spacecraft on board, and I think it’s a tribute to how strong the program is going.”
Endeavor arrived at the International Space Station Saturday morning, according to UPI. It was a more than 26-hour journey.
The newest group of astronauts are scheduled to stay at the International Space Station for six months. NASA had the astronauts fly there now so the current SpaceX crew can show them around before they leave. The last time there were more than 10 people at the International Space Station at the same time was in 2009, when there were 13 astronauts on board.




