A joint US-Russian crew successfully launched to the International Space Station (ISS) on Thursday, November 27th, marking a rare convergence of space travel and a major American holiday. The Soyuz MS-28 mission, carrying NASA astronaut Chris Williams and cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev, began an eight-month expedition with a timed but coincidental celebration.
A Unique Launch Day
The crew lifted off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 4:27 a.m. EST (0927 GMT) and docked with the ISS’s Rassvet module approximately three hours later. The mission’s call sign, “Gyrfalcon,” alludes to a predatory bird of prey also depicted on their patch, and the Soyuz 2.1a rocket was adorned with artwork created by pediatric cancer patients and historical portraits of pioneering space travelers.
Tradition in Orbit
This is not the first Thanksgiving celebrated in space, but it is the first launch and docking that occurred directly on Thanksgiving Day. The crew will join Expedition 73 before forming the core of Expedition 74 after the departure of previous crew members. They will celebrate with a special NASA-prepared “Holiday Bulk Overwrapped Bag” (BOB) including traditional dishes like turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and even lobster. Astronaut Mike Fincke, who previously spent Thanksgiving in orbit, jokingly recommended the experience in a pre-launch video.
Scientific Goals and AI Assistance
The Soyuz MS-28 crew will conduct hundreds of scientific experiments during their stay, including tests of the European Enhanced Exploration Exercise Device (E4D) and studies on cryogenic fuel efficiency. A key element of the Russian segment’s operation will be the integration of GigaChat, an AI bot designed to assist cosmonauts with decision-making.
Crew Backgrounds
This mission marks the first spaceflight for both Williams and Mikaev, while Kud-Sverchkov is returning for his second ISS expedition. Williams, a physicist and cancer treatment specialist, brings a unique background to the mission, while Kud-Sverchkov and Mikaev represent the continued collaboration between Russia and the United States in space exploration.
The launch of Soyuz MS-28 demonstrates the enduring partnership between the US and Russia in space, even amidst geopolitical tensions. This mission is a reminder that scientific collaboration can transcend terrestrial conflicts, fostering progress in research and international cooperation.
