Historic US-Russian Space Mission Underway
A significant moment in space exploration unfolded on Thursday, 27th November 2025, as a US-Russian crew of three astronauts successfully launched towards the International Space Station (ISS). The trio blasted off aboard a Russian Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft from the historic Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, a facility leased by Russia.
Smooth Launch and Docking
The Soyuz booster rocket lifted off precisely as scheduled, carrying NASA astronaut Chris Williams alongside his two Russian crewmates, Sergei Mikaev and Sergei Kud-Sverchkov. The spacecraft entered orbit without issue, beginning its journey to rendezvous with the orbiting laboratory. The crew was scheduled to dock with the space station approximately three hours after liftoff, a testament to the efficiency of modern spaceflight procedures.
Meet the International Space Station Crew
This mission marks a major milestone for two of the crew members. For both Chris Williams, a physicist, and Sergei Mikaev, a military pilot, this is their first-ever spaceflight. Their colleague, Sergei Kud-Sverchkov, is embarking on his second mission, bringing valuable experience to the team. Upon their arrival, the new crew members will join the existing Expedition members already aboard the ISS. The expanded team will include NASA astronauts Mike Fincke, Zena Cardman, and Jonny Kim, JAXA astronaut Kimiya Yui, and Russian cosmonauts Sergei Ryzhikov, Alexei Zubritsky, and Oleg Platonov.
The international team is set for a long-duration stay, with all three new arrivals expected to spend about eight months conducting research at the orbiting outpost. NASA has outlined that during this extended mission, Williams will lead scientific research and technology demonstrations. These experiments are designed to push the boundaries of human space exploration and develop technologies that will also benefit life here on Earth.
