The mission that expanded the International Space Station's crew to six members
In short: In May 2009, the International Space Station reached a new milestone. A Soyuz spacecraft docked with the station, bringing the total number of residents to six. Among them was Frank De Winne, a Belgian astronaut who would eventually make history as the first European commander of the orbital laboratory.
The OasISS mission, launched on 27 May 2009, represented a significant leap for the European Space Agency (ESA). Belgian astronaut Frank De Winne departed from the Baikonur Cosmodrome aboard the Soyuz TMA-15 spacecraft. Robert Thirsk, a Canadian Space Agency astronaut, and Russian cosmonaut Roman Romanenko accompanied him. This arrival was pivotal, as it marked the first time the International Space Station hosted a six-person Expedition crew. The spacecraft used for this journey was the Soyuz TMA-15. This specific flight was designated as flight 19S.
After docking on 29 May 2009, the Soyuz TMA-15 team met three current residents: JAXA astronaut Koichi Wakata, NASA astronaut Michael Barratt, and Russian cosmonaut Gennady Padalka. This expanded crew structure was essential for the complex scientific experiments De Winne was tasked with conducting, which involved researchers from various European nations and international partners. The mission served to build the necessary knowledge and experience for future deep-space exploration. The existing crew members included Gennady Padalka, Michael Barratt, and Koichi Wakata. These individuals were already residing on the station when the new crew arrived.
De Winne's six-month stay was marked by a historic leadership milestone. In October 2009, he became the first European to serve as the Commander of the International Space Station. This followed his previous experience with ESA during the 11-day Odissea mission in 2002. The OasISS mission remains a cornerstone of international cooperation, demonstrating how diverse space agencies can work together to maintain a continuous human presence in low Earth orbit. This mission helped fulfill specific objectives set by the agency. It also provided vital data for subsequent exploration efforts.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: ESA's OasISS mission
- Also: ESA - About the OasISS mission
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