Usachev, Voss and Helms, having completed 156 days on Alpha, now become members of the space shuttle crew.

CNN: newcrew

Usachev could have an easier time recovering, having spent two long-duration missions on the retired Russian space station Mir.

CNN: Alpha astronauts: Trip to Mars is doable

They are expected to live on Alpha until December, replacing Russian cosmonaut Yury Usachev and U.S. astronauts Jim Voss and Susan Helms.

CNN: newcrew