After several months of living and working in space, NASA’s SpaceX Crew-3 astronauts are nearing the end of their mission and ready to return home.
NASA astronauts Raja Chari, Tom Marshburn and Kayla Barron and European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Matthias Maurer launched with the SpaceX Crew-3 mission on November 10th. Now their mission aboard the International Space Station is coming to an end, and the astronauts are preparing to return to Earth. As the crew said during a press conference held on Friday (April 15), they have had an amazing mission, but they are excited to get home.
“It has been a great honor to live and work aboard the International Space Station,” Marshburn, the crew’s only veteran astronaut, said today.
Live updates: SpaceX’s Crew-3 astronautmission for NASA
The crew returns to Earth later this month, sometime after the next SpaceX-manned mission to the station, Crew-4, arrives, and they hand over the station to newcomers. As Crew-4’s launch is delayed until April 23, the exact date of Crew-3’s return has not yet been determined. But it will be soon and the astronauts are excited.
“I think we are all really looking forward to seeing our loved ones, our family and friends on earth who were so instrumental in supporting us throughout our lives and getting us to this point,” Barron said.
“I can’t wait to see my wife and kids,” Marshburn said. “I get goosebumps just thinking about the moment I was supposed to see them. Seeing the pictures of my kids, how much they’ve grown in six months – they’re younger, it’s pretty amazing, and it makes you realize where much you have missed. “
Marshburn is also looking forward to “a hot bath,” he added with a laugh. “I think we would all like it.”
The crew shared funny details about their journey through space, including Charis’ mustache, which he said he cultivated while in space as part of an Air Force tradition. Chari, who had command of Crew-3, said the look is typically reserved for March, but he could not cultivate one at the time due to space travel.
The crew also revealed some of the work they have done while on board. Maurer specifically pointed to the impact of on-site research conducted on our understanding of climate change, including a recent experiment aimed at reducing carbon dioxide emissions in the process of producing concrete.
Apart from Marshburn, the crew consisted of novices making their first visit to the station. They told Space.com during the same press conference that they are eager to return to space, though they may do things a little differently next time.
“I would absolutely love to come [back] to the International Space Station, “said Barron.” I think it has been such an honor for us to be a part of this incredible engineering and scientific vehicle that has been up here for over 20 years – what an incredible legacy to be a Part of .”
She added that she will carry lessons learned by the crew early in this mission for future flights. “You feel a lot of pressure when you first come up here and try to keep up with all the tasks,” she said. “We have really busy schedules, and when you do something for the first time, it always takes longer.”
Living in micro-gravity required many small adjustments, she said. “I hope next time we are a little more prepared for some of those challenges.”
Chari said that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the crew did not get to meet in person the scientists whose research the astronauts conducted in orbit, which he hopes to do for future missions.
“It’s great science we’re allowed to do, but it would be really even better if you got to meet the people you talk to in person,” Chari said. “We’re making life-changing discoveries up here on behalf of the scientists and engineers who thought of these things, but we can only hear them over the radio.”
Related: Next SpaceX NASA crew launch adds rookie astronaut Jessica Watkins
Private astronaut crew members
Marshburn further shared that although the crew has had “a lot of work to do over the past many months working through Expeditions 66 and 67,” he said, “we have also had fun: three spacewalks, robotic operations, lots of visitors vehicles and, of course, the first private astronaut mission. “
The private astronaut mission Marshburn refers to is the Ax-1, Axiom Space’s first manned mission and the first fully private manned mission ever sent to the station, which launched the crew aboard a SpaceX Dragon on top of a Falcon 9 on April 8.
“Those crew members are with us on board right now,” he said.
“There is definitely a difference in the amount of training and the experience,” Chari said of the visitors. “But we certainly feel they are capable of taking care of themselves.”
But will it be cramped yet? “I do not think we found[them[intrusive”hesaid[dem[påtrængende”sagdehan”Stationeneretretstortsteddeneromtrentpåstørrelsemedethusmedfemsoveværelser”[them[intrusive”hesaid”Thestation’saprettybigplaceit’saboutthesizeoffivebedroomhouse”
Email Chelsea Gohd at cgohd@space.com or follow her on Twitter @chelsea_gohd. Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook.