International Space Station Welcomes New Crew Members
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On November 24, 2025, the International Space Station witnessed the breathtaking Aurora Australis, or southern lights, illuminating the horizon. As the Soyuz MS-27 spacecraft remained docked to the Prichal module, preparations were underway for the arrival of Soyuz MS-28.
On November 27, Soyuz MS-28 successfully docked to the Rassvet module, bringing three new crew members aboard: NASA astronaut Chris Williams, Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev.
Flight engineer Kimiya Yui shared the excitement on social media, noting the lively atmosphere aboard the station with ten crew members during this handover period. This marked a significant moment in the ongoing collaboration between international space agencies, highlighting the joint efforts of NASA and Roscosmos.
The Expedition 73 crew also engaged in various scientific research initiatives, including the Ultrasound 2 experiment, where astronaut Zena Cardman performed a live ultrasound scan on fellow astronaut Jonny Kim to study heart adaptation in microgravity.
Additionally, astronaut Mike Fincke utilized a fluorescence microscope to explore how particles behave in fluids, contributing to advancements in optical materials and pollution removal technologies. Meanwhile, Expedition 73 commander Sergey Ryzhikov focused on preparations for his return journey home aboard Soyuz MS-27, checking electronics and loading cargo.
The arrival of Soyuz MS-28 required the unberthing of Northrop Grumman's Cygnus XL cargo ship, S.S. William C. 'Willie' McCool, which was temporarily held at a distance by the Canadarm2 robotic arm. As of November 28, the ISS hosted a crew of ten comprising Commander Sergey Ryzhikov, Oleg Platonov, Sergey Kud-Sverchkov, Sergei Mikaev, Zena Cardman, Mike Fincke, Jonny Kim, Chris Williams, and Kimiya Yui.
The station was equipped with three crewed spacecraft: SpaceX's Dragon 'Endeavour,' Roscosmos' Soyuz MS-27, and Soyuz MS-28, along with four cargo spacecraft, including Progress MS-31, Progress MS-32, Cygnus XL, and Japan's HTV-X1.
This event underscored the milestone of the ISS being continuously crewed for 25 years and 26 days, showcasing the enduring commitment to international collaboration in space exploration.