“We have cold drinks, hot food and we are waiting for you. See you soon,” the ISS crew said new arrivals shortly after contact, depending on the video online.
“Hello the space station, Crew-11 is here and we are very happy to join you,” replied Mike Fincke.
During its six-month mission, CREW-11 will simulate aluning scenarios that could occur near the Lunar South Pole within the framework of the Artemis program led by the United States to return to the Moon.
They will also test the effects of gravity on the ability of astronauts to pilot spacecrafts, including future lunar landing.
In constantly inhabited since 2000, the flying laboratory that is the ISS serves as an essential test bench for research on space exploration, in particular concerning any missions to Mars.
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CREW-11 also holds on the edge of the fruit, armenia grenades, which will be compared to a control batch that remained on earth in order to study the influence of microgravity on cultures growth.
Model of international cooperation bringing together Europe, Japan, the United States and Russia, the ISS began to be assembled in 1998. Its retirement was scheduled for 2024, but NASA estimated that it could operate until 2030.