Four individuals, a half-year duration, and an array of experiments with the potential to reshape the course of humanity’s future.
The NASA SpaceX Crew-6 mission, which wrapped up in September, involved NASA astronauts Stephen Bowen and Woody Hoburg, alongside United Arab Emirates astronaut Sultan AlNeyadi, embarking on a 186-day journey to the International Space Station, where they met up with NASA astronaut Frank Rubio. However, it was far from a leisurely escapade.
“I used to jest about the fact that in our videos, we often focus on the exciting aspects, but in reality, work occupies much more of our time,” Bowen shared with FLYING during a media event at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C., joined by his fellow crew members. “The workload is far more than just a fraction of our time spent up there.”
The mission boasted numerous milestones. Rubio, for instance, set a record for the most consecutive days in space with his 355-day tenure, extended due to damage to the capsule that ferried him to the space station. AlNeyadi achieved the distinction of being the first Arab to conduct a spacewalk.
In addition to these achievements, the astronauts conducted over 200 experiments during their residence at the orbital laboratory—many of which hold promise for addressing critical challenges on Earth and beyond.
Journey to the Space Station and Return
The Crew-6 mission commenced with the launch of a SpaceX Dragon Endeavor capsule atop a Falcon 9 rocket from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Bowen, Hoburg, AlNeyadi, and Russian cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev comprised the crew. Rubio had previously launched aboard a Soyuz MS-22.
While Bowen, a seasoned space traveler, felt at ease, Crew-6 marked the maiden voyage for Rubio, Hoburg, and AlNeyadi.
“Getting accustomed to maneuvering in microgravity during the initial days was quite challenging,” Rubio remarked.
For AlNeyadi, adapting to the altered spatial perception posed a significant hurdle.
“Everything onboard the space station happens swiftly… We witness 16 sunrises and 16 sunsets each day,” AlNeyadi shared with FLYING.
Bowen reflected on the evolution of the orbital lab since his initial visit in 2008. He had been involved in various assembly missions that augmented the space station’s capacity from three to six occupants, introduced technologies like a water recycling system, and delivered research equipment and storage modules. Crews also undertook multiple battery replacements for the laboratory.
“We were pivotal in the initial stages of enhancing the functionality of the space station,” Bowen recounted to FLYING. “During the early days with just three crew members onboard, we accomplished numerous tasks. However, with the increase to six occupants, the capacity to engage in scientific endeavors—the core purpose of the space station—expanded significantly.”
Over the ensuing six months, the astronauts engaged in activities such as cultivating plants, investigating heart, brain, and cartilage tissue, and executing a multitude of experiments for ISS. The crew, consisting of Rubio, Bowen, Hoburg, and AlNeyadi, constituted the 69th team to inhabit the space station.
Subsequent to completing their assignments, the astronauts commenced their reentry, splashing down on September 4 after a 186-day mission.
“Transforming into a plasma meteorite during reentry was undeniably exhilarating,” Rubio quipped.
However, the research and experiments conducted by the crew are poised to yield enduring impacts long after the mission’s culmination.
Pioneering Future Endeavors
Despite the thrill Rubio experienced, the launch and reentry phases possibly represented the most routine segments of the mission—the crew was preoccupied with over 200 experiments.
“The work is ceaseless; it’s an ongoing process,” Bowen emphasized. “The maintenance of the space station, akin to upkeeping your residence, consumes a significant portion of our time. The scope of scientific research achievable now is astounding. Throughout our stay, every day saw the four of us in the [U.S. Orbital Segment] engrossed in work.”
Mere days subsequent to the astronauts’ arrival, they received a cargo shipment laden with materials for experiments. The crew members toiled throughout the day, at times collaborating and at times working individually, reconvening during meal times for debriefing sessions.
“We are evaluating numerous technologies, many of which have the potential to benefit humanity when implemented on Earth,” AlNeyadi conveyed to FLYING.
For instance, the astronauts delved into the cultivation of crops like tomatoes in harsh environments, either terrestrial or extraterrestrial. They also explored the application of experimental medications on heart cells and utilized technology to print biological components such as knee cartilage, a breakthrough with the potential to manufacture organs for patients on Earth.
The crew even organized competitions involving university students. Participating teams were tasked with programming a flying robot and controlling its flight from Earth while stationed on the space station.
A pivotal research endeavor involved a water recycling system that enabled the astronauts to consume their recycled urine for the majority of their stay (apologies, Bear Grylls). While the concept may seem unconventional, its implications for humanity could be substantial.
“Imagine deploying the same technology to assist individuals in remote regions lacking access to water,” AlNeyadi pondered.
These experiments are poised to play a critical role in NASA’s Artemis program—a series of missions aimed at reinstating Americans on the lunar surface for the first time in fifty years. According to the crew, mastering the art of living and working in space will be imperative for these upcoming expeditions. Artemis II is slated to dispatch astronauts into lunar orbit in 2025, followed by Artemis III’s endeavor to land them on the moon’s surface the subsequent year.
“Knowing that our actions impact the future of humanity and serve as a source of inspiration for future generations is immensely significant to us,” Rubio affirmed.
As crucial as their scientific pursuits were, the astronauts managed to find moments to unwind.
One approach involved venturing outside. Each crew member had the opportunity to partake in a spacewalk, with AlNeyadi becoming the first Arab to accomplish this feat.
“Donning the spacesuit, stepping outside, and conducting vital repairs on the station while beholding the Earth’s vistas was truly remarkable,” Hoburg reminisced.
At times, the crew had to get inventive—Bowen baked pies in celebration of Pi Day, and Rubio assumed the role of the crew’s barber. Nonetheless, they found avenues for recreation and exercise, ultimately forging a familial bond by the mission’s end.
“What an exceptional group of individuals to spend six months with,” Bowen remarked. “It was truly incredible.”
Collaborative Endeavors
Crew-6 featured the first astronaut of Salvadoran descent to reach space (Rubio) and the first Arab to execute an extravehicular activity (AlNeyadi). These accomplishments underscore a broader trend: the globalization of space exploration.
At a certain juncture during Expedition 69, the orbital laboratory, designed for a maximum of seven occupants, hosted 11 astronauts. These individuals hailed from the U.S., UAE, Russia, Denmark, and Japan.
“The handover to a new crew is an intense period, as you essentially acquaint them with an entirely new way of life within a few weeks,” Rubio elucidated.
Nonetheless, Bowen viewed the transition as a welcome development.
“We have the opportunity to interact with many of our counterparts worldwide before embarking on our flight,” he noted. “Welcoming the new crew onboard, I was familiar with each one of them. It was a delightful experience. Having new crew members onboard is not only enjoyable but also signifies that your return home is imminent.”
AlNeyadi highlighted the significant gains the UAE has reaped from its forays into space. Despite the country’s space agency being established merely two decades ago, it has already launched a satellite, a Martian probe, and its first astronaut, Hazza Al Mansouri, into space.
“That served as a catalyst for everyone. Subsequently, every young student in schools aspired to become an astronaut,” AlNeyadi, who currently serves as the UAE minister of youth, recounted.
The Emirati’s own space voyage has had a ripple effect. For instance, it played a pivotal role in propelling the UAE’s involvement in NASA’s initiative to construct a space station orbiting the moon, making the country the fifth participant in the collaboration.
In a shift from the government-centric Apollo program, NASA is increasingly leveraging the expertise of private industry to bridge certain gaps for Artemis. Rubio played a role in certifying all SpaceX launch and recovery assets prior to his mission, underscoring the agency’s close ties with SpaceX, Blue Origin, and other commercial collaborators.
The aspiration is that enhanced collaboration will herald a groundbreaking era for space exploration, characterized by sustained human presence in the cosmic realm.
Bowen recounted an anecdote about stumbling upon a pair of floating glasses aboard the space station, initially mistaking them for his own. They did not belong to Rubio, Hoburg, or AlNeyadi, as the latter did not wear glasses. Eventually, the crew realized that the glasses belonged to an astronaut who had sojourned at the orbital lab years ago—a vestige of humanity’s enduring quest to unravel the mysteries of space.
Crew-7 astronauts, taking the baton from Crew-6, launched earlier this month, a few days after the conclusion of the latter’s mission. Perhaps, they too will chance upon remnants of past explorations. Undoubtedly, they will build upon the groundwork laid by preceding missions and propel humanity forward.