Hold on tight! A brand-new crew is about to blast off to the International Space Station, and you won't want to miss a second of the action. NASA astronaut Chris Williams, alongside Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev, are gearing up for an exciting mission aboard the Roscosmos Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft. Their destination? The orbiting laboratory, where they'll join the Expedition 73 team to push the boundaries of scientific research.
These brave explorers are scheduled to launch on Thursday, November 27th, at 4:27 a.m. EST (that's 2:27 p.m. Baikonur time for those keeping track!). The launch site? The historic Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
And the best part? You can witness this incredible event live! NASA is providing extensive coverage on multiple platforms. Tune in to NASA+ (https://plus.nasa.gov/scheduled-video/nasa-astronaut-chris-williams-soyuz-ms-28-launch/), Amazon Prime (https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/livetv?ref=atvhmlivLRad2e3bslct&serviceToken=v0Cl0KJDJmNzY1MjdmLTYwNjYtNGFkNC05Y2RjLWJiMDBjYWRiMjdiMxCQ482f-jIaLExpNitvL2dzaDBoR0NjVGdhVGdLTHptYkF6dHpuZ29zb2VJMDZ6YWhmZEk9IAESBmZpbHRlchgBIgRob21lKgRsaXZlWj8KDGxpbmVhckZpbHRlchIvCi1hbXpuMS1wdi1saW5lYXItbGl2ZV90YWItZmlsdGVyLWxlYXJuX2V4cGxvcmV6AIIBBjAAUABwAA%3D%3D), or the agency’s YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/NASA). NASA has made it easier than ever to catch the action! (https://www.nasa.gov/general/watch-nasa-programming/)
Following their launch, the Soyuz MS-28 will embark on a swift, three-hour journey around Earth – just two orbits! The spacecraft is designed to automatically dock with the space station's Rassvet module at approximately 7:38 a.m. EST. Shortly thereafter, the hatches will open, and the new arrivals will officially join their colleagues in orbit.
Once onboard, Williams, Kud-Sverchkov, and Mikaev will become part of a larger team, including NASA astronauts Mike Fincke, Zena Cardman, and Jonny Kim, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Kimiya Yui, and Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergei Ryzhikov, Alexey Zubritsky, and Oleg Platonov. Talk about an international collaboration!
Here's a detailed breakdown of NASA's coverage schedule (all times Eastern, but remember, things can shift based on real-time operations):
- Thursday, Nov. 27
- 3:30 a.m.: Launch coverage begins on NASA+, Amazon Prime, and YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/live/gWhAbWnm_oM).
- 4:27 a.m.: The moment we've all been waiting for – LAUNCH!
- 6:45 a.m.: Rendezvous and docking coverage starts on NASA+, Amazon Prime, and YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/live/OIAduLEqvTc).
- 7:38 a.m.: Docking with the International Space Station.
- 9:50 a.m.: Hatch opening and welcome remarks coverage begins on NASA+, Amazon Prime, and YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/live/5N92gFwvD_s).
- 10:10 a.m.: The hatch opens, and the new crew is officially welcomed aboard!
Williams, Kud-Sverchkov, and Mikaev are scheduled to spend approximately eight months on the space station as part of Expeditions 73 and 74, returning to Earth in the summer of 2026. This mission marks a significant milestone, as it's the first spaceflight for both Williams and Mikaev, while Kud-Sverchkov is embarking on his second journey to space.
So, what exactly will Chris Williams be doing up there? He'll be deeply involved in conducting crucial scientific research and technology demonstrations. These experiments are designed to advance our understanding of human space exploration and, importantly, to improve life right here on Earth. Some of his tasks include installing and testing a new workout system designed for long-duration missions (https://www.nasa.gov/mission/station/research-explorer/investigation/?#id=8035), supporting experiments aimed at improving cryogenic fuel efficiency (https://www.nasa.gov/mission/station/research-explorer/investigation/?#id=8190), and even growing semiconductor crystals in the unique environment of space (https://www.nasa.gov/mission/station/research-explorer/investigation/?#id=8968). He'll also be assisting NASA in designing enhanced re-entry safety protocols (https://www.nasa.gov/reference/spacecraft-occupant-protection/) to further protect future crews during their return to Earth.
For over 25 years, the International Space Station has been a beacon of continuous human presence in space. It's a place where science thrives, where breakthroughs are made that simply aren't possible on our planet. It serves as a vital testing ground for NASA, allowing us to tackle the challenges of long-duration spaceflight and explore the potential of commercial opportunities in low Earth orbit (https://www.nasa.gov/leo-economy/low-earth-orbit-economy). As commercial companies increasingly focus on providing human space transportation and destinations, NASA is strategically shifting its resources towards deep space missions, particularly to the Moon as part of the Artemis program, paving the way for future human missions to Mars.
Want to delve deeper into the world of International Space Station research and operations? Explore more at: https://www.nasa.gov/station
Now, here's something to consider: With increasing commercialization of space, some argue that NASA should focus solely on deep-space exploration, leaving low Earth orbit activities entirely to private enterprise. What do you think? Is this a smart move that allows NASA to concentrate its resources, or does it risk losing valuable experience and expertise in a critical area of space exploration?
Joshua Finch / Jimi Russell
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1100
joshua.a.finch@nasa.gov / james.j.russell@nasa.gov
Sandra Jones / Joseph Zakrzewski
Johnson Space Center, Houston
281-483-5111
sandra.p.jones@nasa.gov / joseph.a.zakrzewski@nasa.gov
