The astronauts return ...

[Mr Moofo]

Much is being made of the two astronauts who have been stuck in the ISS for 9 months,
But how long have the other two that are with them been there?

They were sent personal items and clothes as they had got enough - how? Or do Amazon deliver to ISS?
And what about the 50% increase in food needed?

[KungFooBob]

Pah, the ISS is a sound stage in Hollywood.

[Count Steer]

Much is being made of the two astronauts who have been stuck in the ISS for 9 months,
But how long have the other two that are with them been there?

They were sent personal items and clothes as they had got enough - how? Or do Amazon deliver to ISS?
And what about the 50% increase in food needed?

I thought they got service flights that just bring 'stuff'. (SpaceX's 'Cargo Dragon' and Soyuz both deliver iirc).

Much has been made of them being 'stranded' but they could have come back at any time as there's a return module docked in case there's an issue. It was decided to bring them back as part of the normal rotation schedule rather than use the 'emergency' module.

[Mr. Dazzle]

Or do Amazon deliver to ISS?

Their rocket doesn't quite work yet, but it did pretty well on it's first go.

[Mr Moofo]

Much is being made of the two astronauts who have been stuck in the ISS for 9 months,
But how long have the other two that are with them been there?

They were sent personal items and clothes as they had got enough - how? Or do Amazon deliver to ISS?
And what about the 50% increase in food needed?

I thought they got service flights that just bring 'stuff'. (SpaceX's 'Cargo Dragon' and Soyuz both deliver iirc).

Much has been made of them being 'stranded' but they could have come back at any time as there's a return module docked in case there's an issue. It was decided to bring them back as part of the normal rotation schedule rather than use the 'emergency' module.

All a bit of a non story

[Count Steer]

Much is being made of the two astronauts who have been stuck in the ISS for 9 months,
But how long have the other two that are with them been there?

They were sent personal items and clothes as they had got enough - how? Or do Amazon deliver to ISS?
And what about the 50% increase in food needed?

I thought they got service flights that just bring 'stuff'. (SpaceX's 'Cargo Dragon' and Soyuz both deliver iirc).

Much has been made of them being 'stranded' but they could have come back at any time as there's a return module docked in case there's an issue. It was decided to bring them back as part of the normal rotation schedule rather than use the 'emergency' module.

All a bit of a non story

Well, maybe. I'm sure there'll be a certain relief when they're safely back. The return journey isn't exactly hazard free!

[Mr Moofo]

I thought they got service flights that just bring 'stuff'. (SpaceX's 'Cargo Dragon' and Soyuz both deliver iirc).

Much has been made of them being 'stranded' but they could have come back at any time as there's a return module docked in case there's an issue. It was decided to bring them back as part of the normal rotation schedule rather than use the 'emergency' module.

All a bit of a non story

Well, maybe. I'm sure there'll be a certain relief when they're safely back. The return journey isn't exactly hazard free!

After 9 months in weightlessness I am guessing walking is a challenge ! And I guess they must smell funny as well

[Mr. Dazzle]

Apparently clothes in space stay clean for ages 'cause they don't really touch your body.

Or maybe being sealed in the same tin can with the same people farting the same farts for 9 months mean you don't notice BO.

[ZRX61]

Much has been made of them being 'stranded' but they could have come back at any time as there's a return module docked in case there's an issue. It was decided to bring them back as part of the normal rotation schedule rather than use the 'emergency' module.

Musk offered to bring them back months ago, but Biden blocked it as he didn't want to give Musk the credit. This has been confirmed by the astronauts & NASA.. altho a NASA spokeshole waffled a bit when pressed on it this week.

[Count Steer]

Much has been made of them being 'stranded' but they could have come back at any time as there's a return module docked in case there's an issue. It was decided to bring them back as part of the normal rotation schedule rather than use the 'emergency' module.

Musk offered to bring them back months ago, but Biden blocked it as he didn't want to give Musk the credit. This has been confirmed by the astronauts & NASA.. altho a NASA spokeshole waffled a bit when pressed on it this week.

It would have shaved a couple of months off and cost several $million. It was made to sound like SpaceX had one on the pad ready to go at 5 minutes notice. Doing it as part of a regular rotation was the simple and cost effective option.

Bit of a no-brainer from NASA really.

[Mr. Dazzle]

They were never in real danger, as above they could have left at any time. As also above, it would have been a dedicated mission from SpaceX put on specially to get them back, which is very expensive and not needed.

So the 'story' while technically true in the details, glosses over a lot of the nuance.

[ZRX61]

It would have shaved a couple of months off and cost several $million. It was made to sound like SpaceX had one on the pad ready to go at 5 minutes notice. Doing it as part of a regular rotation was the simple and cost effective option.

Bit of a no-brainer from NASA really.

Not much of a stretch, we've had 3 launches here so far this month & there are more scheduled. I don't think most people realize just how many Musk is putting up. There's one tomorrow, another one on Monday & another later in the month... but West Coast launches are usually for polar orbits.

[Count Steer]

They were never in real danger, as above they could have left at any time. As also above, it would have been a dedicated mission from SpaceX put on specially to get them back, which is very expensive and not needed.

So the 'story' while technically true in the details, glosses over a lot of the nuance.

I did wonder how long it takes to prepare a crew module and how many are available. While there's no apparent shortage of tail units and NASA/SpaceX have got the the turnaround time pretty slick I'd guess the crew units have a rather more rigorous prep than a Starlink cargo carrier.

I was a bit surprised to read that the time for the crew return is 17 hours - are they doing a couple of victory laps?

[Mr. Dazzle]

There is, as you might imagine, quite a lot to it....but they can do it quicker.

[Count Steer]

There is, as you might imagine, quite a lot to it....but they can do it quicker.

That's going up. It's taking 17 hours to get back down!

[Mr. Dazzle]

Just watch the video backwards. At slow speed.

[ZRX61]

They got greeted by Dolphins

[Felix]

Wonder if they have been faithful to their partners.

[Count Steer]

Wonder if they have been faithful to their partners.

I'd have a badge made ''Mile High Club? Ptoui!'.

Nice touch having a 'Dolphin Debrief' on splashdown - report to the real bosses first. (In the 'Uplift Universe' novels by David Brin, dolphins operate starships 'cos they're good at navigating 3D space. I expect they'd cope with zero g quite well too).

[Taipan]

Much has been made of them being 'stranded' but they could have come back at any time as there's a return module docked in case there's an issue. It was decided to bring them back as part of the normal rotation schedule rather than use the 'emergency' module.

Musk offered to bring them back months ago, but Biden blocked it as he didn't want to give Musk the credit. This has been confirmed by the astronauts & NASA.. altho a NASA spokeshole waffled a bit when pressed on it this week.

Astronauts; "Euston we have a problem!"
Musk; "You want me to swing by and pick you guys up?"

Musk deffo wins bragging rights in the pub!