‘Crew-L8:’ Epps, crewmates arrive at International Space Station early despite scrubbed launches

INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION (WSYR-TV) — Syracuse native Dr. Jeanette Epps and her three crewmates arrived at the International Space Station earlier than initially expected early Tuesday morning, March 5.

After traveling 17,500 mph at launch, the capsule carrying the astronauts seemed to crawl the last leg of its journey as it carefully docked at an open port of the ISS.

It took a couple of hours for the astronauts to slip out of their space suits, which stayed attached to the seats, like butterflies out of a cocoon. Once in their blue flight suits, they floated into the ISS and were greeted with hugs from Crew-7.

The early arrival became a running joke because Crew-7, the group Epps’ group is relieving gave Crew-8 the nickname “Crew-L8” (crew-late) after their launch was delayed or scrubbed several times.

“A big warm welcome to Crew-8 from all of us up here,” said astronaut Andreas Mogensen. “After having made fun of a Crew-8 for launching late, they arrive early to the Space Station and have us scrambling this morning. It’s absolutely fantastic to see their smiling faces. Welcome to space.”

Among the smiling faces was Dr. Epps, the Corcoran and Le Moyne College alumna.

“I just want to thank my family as well for being patient with me,” said Epps. “I made it here.”

Arrival is just the beginning of the six-month stay, which includes more than 200 science experiments. The group will help develop new drugs and research stem-cells related to Parkinson’s Multiple Sclerosis and the aging process.

The group will also maintain the ISS, which is more than 25 years old.