NASA astronaut Jessica Meir in the Dragon capsule. (ISS/NASA via SWNS)
By Dean Murray
An astronaut has said the International Space Station (ISS) is so cramped she is having to "camp out" in a small separate shuttle.
NASA's Jessica Meir said that the arrival of a new crew last Thursday has meant she's had to give up her sleeping quarters to colleague Luke Delaney.
With a total of eleven on board, it has seen the 49-year-old taking her sleeping bag to the small SpaceX Dragon spacecraft attached to the ISS.
The Dragon capsule she is sleeping in, used to ferry crew to and from Earth, has a pressurised interior volume of 9.3 cubic metres (330 cubic feet), and an outer height of 4.5 metres (15 feet).
Meir posted on social media: "Room with a view. Check out my new digs as I camp out in Dragon until our departure. With Crew-13's arrival we have a very full house on the Space Station. Luke is living in my previous crew quarters, and I've pitched a tent in Dragon."
In a video from space, Meir added: "Good morning from my dragon lair. Now that Crew 13 has arrived, I've given up my crew quarters and I'm camping out in my dragon vehicle. Here's my view right next to my sleeping bag.
The arrival of a new crew to the International Space Station on Oct. 1, 2026, has meant there are 11 people on board. (ISS/NASA via SWNS)
"Outside my window here, the earth and the Crew 13 dragon. A gorgeous view. Reminds me of my best piece of advice to them. Remember to look out the window and realise where you are.
"And I think that kind of advice goes for everybody down on Earth as well. Have a good day."
Meir, who launched with Crew-12 on February 13, has now spent roughly 234 days in space and is due to return on Wednesday.
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