Get ready for an exciting journey to the stars! NASA is about to embark on a mission that will capture the imagination of space enthusiasts worldwide. A crew of brave astronauts is set to launch, and you're invited to witness history in the making.
On Thursday, November 27, NASA astronaut Chris Williams will blast off aboard the Roscosmos Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft, accompanied by cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev. Their destination? The International Space Station, where they'll join the Expedition 73 crew and contribute to groundbreaking scientific research.
The launch is scheduled for 4:27 a.m. EST, taking off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. You can catch all the action live on NASA+, Amazon Prime, and NASA's YouTube channel. Don't miss this opportunity to be a part of this historic event!
After a swift three-hour journey through two orbits, the spacecraft will automatically dock with the station's Rassvet module at approximately 7:38 a.m. Shortly after, the hatches will open, and our astronauts will begin their mission.
Once aboard, Williams, Kud-Sverchkov, and Mikaev will join a diverse team of NASA astronauts, including Mike Fincke, Zena Cardman, and Jonny Kim, along with JAXA astronaut Kimiya Yui and Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergei Ryzhikov, Alexey Zubritsky, and Oleg Platonov.
Here's a breakdown of NASA's coverage (all times Eastern and subject to change):
Thursday, November 27:
3:30 a.m. - Launch coverage begins on NASA+, Amazon Prime, and YouTube.
4:27 a.m. - The moment of truth: the launch!
6:45 a.m. - Rendezvous and docking coverage starts on the same platforms.
7:38 a.m. - Docking with the space station.
9:50 a.m. - Hatch opening and welcome remarks coverage begins.
10:10 a.m. - The hatch opens, and our astronauts step into their new home.
Williams, Kud-Sverchkov, and Mikaev will spend approximately eight months aboard the space station as part of Expedition 73/74. This will be a significant milestone for Williams and Mikaev, as it marks their first spaceflight. Kud-Sverchkov, on the other hand, is a seasoned veteran, embarking on his second mission.
During his time aboard the station, Williams will play a crucial role in advancing human space exploration and improving life on Earth. He'll be involved in scientific research and technology demonstrations, including the installation and testing of a new modular workout system for long-duration missions. Williams will also support experiments focused on improving cryogenic fuel efficiency and growing semiconductor crystals in space. Additionally, he'll assist NASA in designing enhanced re-entry safety protocols to protect future space crews.
The International Space Station has been a beacon of scientific discovery for over 25 years. It's a living, breathing laboratory where researchers push the boundaries of knowledge, achieving breakthroughs that are simply not possible on Earth. The station serves as a critical testbed for NASA, helping them understand and overcome the challenges of long-duration spaceflight. Meanwhile, commercial companies are focusing on providing human space transportation services and destinations, contributing to a thriving low Earth orbit economy. NASA, in turn, is directing its resources towards deep space missions to the Moon as part of the Artemis campaign, preparing for the eventual human exploration of Mars.
To learn more about the International Space Station's research and operations, visit https://www.nasa.gov/station.
-end-
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
