Exciting Times Ahead: Astronauts Embrace NASA’s New ‘Ascans’ on the International Space Station from Sept. 22-26, 2025!

On Monday, September 22, NASA introduced a new class of astronaut candidates during a special event at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. The ten new trainees, known informally as “ascans,” received a warm welcome from the crew of Expedition 73 who congratulated them from the International Space Station (ISS). After about two years of training, these candidates will be eligible for flight assignments.

Exciting Research on the ISS

The International Space Station continues to be a hub for groundbreaking research. Recently, Jonny Kim, one of the astronauts, sequenced DNA samples to explore how this technology could improve data storage in space. This could be a game-changer for longer missions, letting astronauts store more information in less space.

Another project involved virtual reality tests aimed at understanding how astronauts’ eyes track visual stimuli in weightlessness. Cosmonaut Oleg Platonov participated in this study while wearing VR glasses, which helped gather data on his reactions.

Meanwhile, cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Alexey Zubritsky used ultrasound to study digestion and metabolism in microgravity, highlighting how the body adapts to space.

Maintaining the Space Station

The Expedition 73 crew has also focused on maintaining the ISS. They recently unloaded supplies from the Cygnus cargo ship, and astronaut Mike Fincke attached a small cubesat to the NanoRacks platform, getting it ready for deployment outside the ISS.

In a significant operation, a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft successfully fired its thrusters to boost the station’s orbit after a previous attempt had to be aborted due to technical issues.

Global Collaboration and Inspiration

Jonny Kim had an engaging conversation with Yoon Youngbin, the head of South Korea’s aerospace agency. They discussed the future of space exploration and the important role that nations play in advancing scientific understanding. Kim mentioned the motivation he derives from Korea’s efforts in space, emphasizing how essential international collaboration is for inspiring future generations.

Current Mission Overview

As of September 26, seven astronauts are aboard the ISS, representing NASA, Roscosmos, and JAXA. The station has two crewed spacecraft docked – SpaceX’s Dragon and Roscosmos’ Soyuz. Additionally, four cargo spacecraft are currently attached for ongoing research and resupply, ensuring that the ISS remains a center for scientific advancement. Notably, the ISS has been continuously inhabited for nearly 25 years.

The ongoing research and collaborative efforts in space reflect our collective drive towards exploration and understanding of our universe. With each mission, astronauts are not just going to space; they’re paving the way for innovations that could alter our future on Earth.

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