Jessica Meir, a Swedish-American astronaut, is again in orbit along with three colleagues as they embark on their mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The expedition, known as Crew-12, launched at 11:15 AM Swedish time from Florida. In a live stream by NASA, Meir expressed gratitude towards the rocket operator SpaceX and the NASA team, emphasizing the interconnectedness of life on Earth as seen from their vantage point in space.

As they begin the first day of their eight-month journey, Meir's remarks highlight the inspirational aspect of their mission. She stated, 'We have left the Earth, but the Earth has not left us,' underscoring a sense of unity and responsibility towards the planet. Meir hopes that their arrival in space serves as a reminder to everyone that dreams can indeed become reality, especially for those aspiring to pursue careers in science and exploration.

During their stay at the ISS, Meir and her team are set to conduct experiments aimed at preparing humanity for potential future missions to Mars. This mission not only furthers scientific understanding but also serves as an important milestone for human space exploration, symbolizing collaborative efforts in space research and international teamwork.