[imagesource:goodfon]

With this week’s successful ISS docking, humanity has shattered the record for time spent in space, pushing the boundaries of our cosmic reach even further.

The crew aboard the Russian Soyuz capsule launched to the International Space Station (ISS) on September 11, making history this week for becoming record-breaking spacefarers. As humanity gazes upward, we now celebrate 19 people living and working among the stars.

It’s the largest group living in space concurrently in history, reported Mashable.

The mission featured NASA astronaut Don Pettit and cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner, who joined an already bustling crew of nine aboard the space lab. Currently residing in orbit are NASA astronauts Michael Barratt, Tracy Caldwell-Dyson, Matthew Dominick, Jeanette Epps, Barry Wilmore, and Suni Williams, along with cosmonauts Nikolai Chub, Alexander Grebenkin, and Oleg Kononenko—forming a truly remarkable gathering of explorers in the stars.

After Wednesday’s launch to the @Space_Station, there are now 19 humans in orbit—a new record for humanity.

We’re proud to help expand the boundaries of human exploration. Ad astra! pic.twitter.com/3FvzQlbmNN

— NASA (@NASA) September 13, 2024

Meanwhile, three astronauts—Li Cong, Li Guangsu, and Ye Guangfu—are stationed aboard China’s Tiangong space station. Adding to the growing number of spacefarers, SpaceX’s Polaris Dawn mission sees the Crew Dragon Resilience carrying four civilians: Anna Menon, Scott Poteet, Sarah Gillis, and Jared Isaacman. In a groundbreaking moment, Gillis and Isaacman made history with the first-ever civilian spacewalk on September 12.

SpaceX Make History With World’s First Private Space Walk

More than 435 miles above our heads, the crew of SpaceX’s Polaris Dawn mission made history as they embarked on the World’s first private spacewalk.

Billionaire Jared Isaacman made history as he and Sarah Gillis… pic.twitter.com/OvoyqXYAOg

— Chris James (@CJamesMedia) September 12, 2024

While this remarkable achievement is a cause for celebration, it isn’t without its challenges. Two members of the record-breaking crew aboard the ISS, Wilmore and Williams, were initially scheduled to return to Earth on Boeing’s Starliner vessel. However, unexpected propulsion issues left them stranded in space before they could board with the ISS crew. Consequently, the Starliner made its solo descent back to Earth, while the two astronauts will now return home aboard a SpaceX vessel.

Recently, Butch Wilmore explained why Starliner returned to Earth, leaving him and Sunita Williams in space. They also spoke about adjusting to life in space 7+ months longer than planned.

It’s all about how you think and react in the situation! ✨

Since June to next February, Williams and Wilmore will have to stay in Space station! And here is what they have to say!

“We are tasked- and we learn, and we train- to handle all types of situations.” Butch Wilmore… pic.twitter.com/H5yzTSX4JT

— Tejshree Purandare (@tejshreethought) September 14, 2024

The previous record of 17 humans in space was established last year, following the successful launch of a three-person team aboard China’s Shenzhou 16 mission.

It is the era of space colonisation, that’s for sure.

[source:mashable]