A NASA astronaut has embarked on a mission to the International Space Station (ISS) alongside two Russian cosmonauts. The Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft launched successfully from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Thanksgiving Day, November 23, 2023, at 4:27 a.m. Eastern Time. The crew includes commander Sergey Kud-Sverchkov, flight engineer Sergey Mikayev, and American astronaut Chris Williams.
The Soyuz 2.1a booster propelled the spacecraft into orbit, separating from the upper stage just under ten minutes later. Following the separation, the crew prepared for an automated rendezvous with the ISS, aiming for a docking with the Earth-facing Rassvet module at approximately 7:38 a.m. Eastern Time.
Meet the Crew
This mission marks the first spaceflight for both Williams and Mikayev, while Kud-Sverchkov brings extensive experience, having spent 185 days aboard the ISS from 2020 to 2021. Williams, who holds a Ph.D. in astrophysics from MIT, previously worked as a board-certified medical physicist at Harvard Medical School before being selected by NASA in 2021. His background includes volunteer work as a firefighter and emergency medical technician.
In a recent interview, Williams praised his fellow crew members, stating, “It’s a really great crew. Sergey and Sergey are both just absolutely wonderful people, really kind, super interested, super intellectually curious.” Williams emphasized the enriching discussions they shared during their training in Star City and Houston.
Mission Objectives and Goals
The Soyuz MS-28 crew is set to replace the Soyuz MS-27 team, which includes commander Sergey Ryzhikov, flight engineer Alexey Zubritsky, and Jonny Kim from NASA. The outgoing crew launched to the ISS in April and is scheduled to return to Earth on December 9, 2023, concluding their eight-month mission.
Upon arrival, Williams and his colleagues will join a larger crew aboard the station, including Zena Cardman, Michael Fincke, Kimiya Yui, and Oleg Platonov, who are currently serving on the ISS. The group plans to participate in a welcome video call with mission managers and family members in Moscow before commencing their safety briefing and familiarization with the station’s systems.
Williams expressed enthusiasm for his upcoming mission, stating, “I’ve got a lot of different goals, but I think the biggest one, and the thing I’m most excited about, is to truly be able to put my training into practice.” He highlighted the importance of advancing scientific research aboard the ISS, calling the opportunity “incredibly important and inspiring.”
As he prepares for this significant chapter in his career, Williams reflects on the journey that led him to space. His transition from radio astronomy to medical physics was inspired by the intersection of these fields, where he recognized the applicability of his skills in radiation oncology. “A lot of the math behind medical imaging is the exact same math that you use in a radio telescope to make an image,” he noted, illustrating the unique blend of his expertise.
With the launch of Soyuz MS-28, Williams and his crew are poised to contribute to ongoing research efforts, fostering international collaboration in space exploration. This mission not only highlights the shared commitment of NASA and its Russian counterparts but also reflects the potential for scientific advancement through teamwork beyond Earth.
