Exchange of one or two astronauts after the Columbia accident

[Sporally]

Before the Columbia accident we always had expeditions of 3 that would exchange with 3 new astronauts on the same mission. Now we always exchange first two astronauts and then a month later or so the last astronaut. Why is this so? I know that just after the accident we only had two astronauts on ISS, but since we got back to full 3 crew astronaut occupation we always exchange two astronauts at a time and a month or two later the final one would be changed with a new astronaut.

Is there a reason for this? Did we find a little advantage in exchanging the astronauts like this?

[01101001]

Is there a reason for this? Did we find a little advantage in exchanging the astronauts like this?

I'd expect the enhanced overlap period is valuable. The old guy(s) can fill in the new guy(s) about all the quirky equipment.

"No. Ya gotta slap it sharp, right here."

[ravens_cry]

I'd expect the enhanced overlap period is valuable. The old guy(s) can fill in the new guy(s) about all the quirky equipment.

"No. Ya gotta slap it sharp, right here."

The ISS is starting to sound like Mir.

[KaiYeves]

"And here on the ISS, you can have pasta or borscht or burgers or tacos or sushi... but just remember, it's all freeze-dried."

[Sporally]

... and we didn't see an advantage in this overlap before the Columbia accident?

[djellison]

Before Columbia, there was no set deadline for the end of the Shuttle. Now there is. I would have thought that the condensed construction schedule means that you need more construction-trained MS's rather that swop-out crew members per shuttle flight, hence the split of crew rotation between Russian and US vehicles.

Doug

[JonClarke]

Mir crews were also split between different launches.

Jon

[ryanmercer]

The ISS is starting to sound like Mir.

Components. American components, Russian Components, ALL MADE IN TAIWAN!

[ravens_cry]

Yeah, the only thing I liked about the movie, until they blew it up.

[KaiYeves]

I'm writing a story with a scene at Marshall were a tour guide says "And here the space station parts are assembled." and the hero says "And YOU thought it was all made in Taiwan."
Think most people will get the joke?

[ryanmercer]

I'm writing a story with a scene at Marshall were a tour guide says "And here the space station parts are assembled." and the hero says "And YOU thought it was all made in Taiwan."
Think most people will get the joke?

No. I imagine very few will. BUt that's what makes it fun... an easter egg of sorts

[Sporally]

Yes, it was a great sentence - but not one of those that people will remember forever unfortunately, unlike Mel Gibsons FFFFRRRREEEEEEDDDDDOOOOOMMM shout in Braveheart. Just saw that scene on YouTube yesterday!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnitdUvWx8k

[KaiYeves]

No. I imagine very few will. BUt that's what makes it fun... an easter egg of sorts

I did another one yesterday: the heroes are following a series of riddles to recover a stolen scramjet and the next clue is in Geneva.:
"We could be there in no time! Great!"
"Uh, that's in Switzerland, remember? And it's not like we can take a scramjet or something."

[Sporally]

Don't think i've heard that one before.

[KaiYeves]

It's a dig at how CERN had an X-33 in Angels and Demons.

[Sporally]

Oh ok, didn't see that one. Just saw The Da Vinci Code.