CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The international space station just had a
population boom.
A Russian Soyuz capsule
carrying three new space station residents docked at the orbiting complex Friday. With three astronauts there to greet them, the space station now has a full staff of six for the first time in its 10-year history. What's more, each of the major space station partners is represented on board for the first time. The combined crew, all men, now includes two Russians and one American, Japanese, Canadian and Belgian. "It is a historic day. It's also a very happy day up here," said newly arrived Canadian astronaut Bob Thirsk. "We've got an incredible potential for success here. This is going to be something incredible. You ain't seen nothing yet." Having all these countries represented on board is "a great way to kick off a six- person crew," NASA's deputy space station program manager, Kirk Shireman, said on the eve of the linkup. When shuttle Endeavour and its crew of seven arrives in another few weeks, a record 13 people will be at the space station, but that will be only temporary. The Soyuz spacecraft blasted off from Kazakhstan on Wednesday and pulled in at the space station as the two vessels soared 217 miles above the China coast. There were hugs and handshakes all around when the hatches between the two craft swung open. The six astronauts gathered in the main living quarters for the many