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On May 16, 2024, a crowd of more than 500 people gathered at Space Center Houston\u2019s IMAX theater for\u00a0the Expedition 70 crew debrief and awards ceremony.\u00a0Crew members from NASA\u2019s SpaceX Crew-7 and Soyuz MS-24 missions\u00a0shared reflections from their voyage aboard the International Space Station and bestowed well-deserved recognition upon Johnson Space Center employees and partners whose dedication and support contributed to the expedition\u2019s success.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The special event featured four Expedition 70 astronauts:\u00a0<\/p>\n
NASA astronaut Stephen Bowen kicked off the event by striking the ceremonial bell to complete the 70th voyage to the orbiting laboratory.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Johnson Deputy Director Stephen Koerner honored the crew\u2019s achievements. \u201cThrough the Johnson Space Center\u2019s Dare | Unite | Explore initiatives, we are called to unite with our partners to complete these bold missions,\u201d said Koerner. \u201cTonight, we are celebrating the completion of one of those such missions.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Crew-7 mission was the first in the history of the Commercial Crew Program to have each seat in the Dragon spacecraft occupied by a different international partner. \u00a0<\/p>\n
The Expedition 70\u00a0crew successfully conducted 286\u00a0experiments and received five cargo resupply missions\u00a0that delivered thousands of pounds of scientific research, supplies, and hardware\u00a0to the orbital outpost. \u00a0<\/p>\n
The astronauts performed numerous science experiments and technology demonstrations, including the first robotic surgery (on simulated tissue) in space. The crew also encountered several other notable firsts. O\u2019Hara and Moghbeli undertook their inaugural spacewalk together, while ESA astronaut Andy Mogensen became the first non-US pilot to fulfill that role on the Dragon vehicle. The crew also welcomed the third private astronaut mission, Ax-3, aboard the orbiting laboratory,\u00a0along with\u00a0Marina Vasilevskaya, the first female Belarusian in space as a spaceflight participant.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cEven after more than 25 years of operations, we continue to experience exciting firsts aboard station,\u201d said Dana Weigel, program manager for the International Space Station Program. \u201cOn behalf of the ISS Program, I want to thank the crew and the ground teams around the world for your passion and commitment to the International Space Station mission. The incredible advancements we make that benefit life here on Earth and inspire future generations are a direct result of your work.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Watch below to recap the Expedition 70 crew members\u2019 unique journey aboard the International Space Station and to celebrate those who helped make the mission a success.<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n \n