International crew returns to Earth after 241 days
International crew returns to Earth after 241 days
The Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft undocks from the International Space Station (ISS), carrying Russian cosmonauts Sergei Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikayev, and American astronaut Christopher Williams, on their way back to Earth.
The Russian space agency Roscosmos said Sunday that the return vehicle of the crewed Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft will land in Kazakhstan this afternoon, returning the participants of the long-term Expedition 74 to the International Space Station: Russian cosmonauts Sergei Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikayev, and NASA astronaut Christopher Williams.
The state corporation announced in a statement that “the landing vehicle of the crewed Soyuz MS-28 transport spacecraft will land on July 27 in Kazakhstan. Its crew includes Russian cosmonaut Sergei Kud-Sverchkov, Russian cosmonaut Sergei Mikayev, and astronaut Christopher Williams.”
Independent flight of the Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft
The spacecraft is scheduled to undock from the Rassvet module at 10:03 a.m. Moscow time (07:03 a.m. GMT). After that, the Soyuz MS-28 will begin an independent flight, and at around 12:32 p.m. Moscow time (09:32 a.m. GMT), the braking engines will fire, initiating deorbit. The instrument and equipment modules will then separate from the descending vehicle and burn up in the dense layers of the atmosphere.
According to the Russian agency, “when the descending vehicle carrying the crew enters the dense layers of the atmosphere, ballistic aerodynamic braking will begin. As a result, a plasma cloud will form around it with a temperature of approximately 2000 degrees Celsius, causing the heat shield layer to darken and parts of it to burn off. The plasma cloud will also make communication with the crew difficult for several minutes.”
Medical examination and rehabilitation
The spacecraft is expected to land near the city of Zhezkazgan in Kazakhstan. On the ground, the crew will be met by an emergency team and a technical team, including officials from the Russian space agency Roscosmos, the Russian Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsiya), the Cosmonaut Training Center (CPC), the Russian Ministry of Defense, the Federal Medical-Biological Agency (FMBA), as well as the Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences and NASA.
After the crew is extracted from the descending vehicle, they will undergo a medical examination, and then they will proceed
Russian Space Agency
The Russian Space Agency (Roscosmos) is the government agency responsible for Russia’s space program, with roots in the Soviet era when it launched the first artificial satellite, Sputnik, in 1957, and the first human into space, Yuri Gagarin, in 1961. After the dissolution of the USSR, Roscosmos was officially established in 1992, continuing the tradition of space exploration and collaborating on international projects such as the International Space Station. Today, the agency plays a central role in satellite launches and missions to the Moon and Mars.
Roscosmos
“Roscosmos” is the federal space agency of Russia, responsible for the peaceful exploration and use of outer space. Founded in 1992 after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, it inherited the legacy of the Soviet space program, including famous achievements such as the launch of the first artificial satellite, Sputnik, and the first human in space, Yuri Gagarin. Today, Roscosmos collaborates on international projects like the International Space Station and develops new technologies for future missions.
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan is a vast country in Central Asia, known for its diverse landscapes, from vast steppes to high mountains. Historically, it was inhabited by nomadic tribes and was part of the Mongol Empire, later incorporated into the Russian Empire and then the Soviet Union, becoming independent in 1991. Its modern capital, Astana (now Nur-Sultan), reflects the nation’s rapid development and cultural ambitions.
International Space Station
The International Space Station (ISS) is a joint orbital laboratory, the result of collaboration between several space agencies, including NASA and Roscosmos. Built and expanded since 1998, it serves as a center for scientific research in microgravity conditions. A symbol of international cooperation, the ISS orbits Earth and hosts astronauts from around the world.
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is an independent agency of the U.S. federal government responsible for the civilian space program, aeronautics research, and space research. Founded in 1958, NASA has led American space exploration efforts, including the Apollo Moon landings, the Space Shuttle program, and the International Space Station. Today, it continues to pioneer space exploration with missions to Mars and beyond.
Zhezkazgan
Zhezkazgan (Zhezkazgan) is a city in central Kazakhstan, known primarily for its rich copper deposits, mined since ancient times. Its modern development began in the 1930s with Soviet industrialization, and today it remains an important mining and industrial center for the region.
Rosaviatsiya
The Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsiya) is a federal executive body of Russia responsible for providing state services and managing state property in the field of civil aviation. It oversees air transport safety, certification of aviation equipment, and the licensing of aviation activities.
Cosmonaut Training Center
The Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (also known as “Star City”) is a prominent facility located near Moscow, Russia, where astronauts from around the world are trained. Founded in 1960, this center played a crucial role in preparing the first human in space, Yuri Gagarin, and continues to be a training site for international space missions, including those for the International Space Station.
Russian Ministry of Defense
The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation is a central government institution responsible for defense policy and national security. Its history begins with the formation of the modern Russian state, with roots in the military structures of the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union. Its main headquarters is in Moscow, a symbol of Russian military power.
Russian Space Agency Roscosmos
The Russian Space Agency Roscosmos (Roscosmos) is the space agency of Russia, responsible for the country’s civil space program. Originally founded in the 1990s after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, it inherited and continues the traditions of the Soviet space program, including launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. Today, Roscosmos collaborates on international projects such as the International Space Station and develops new rockets and exploration missions.
Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences
The Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, founded in 1963, is a leading research center specializing in space medicine and the effects of spaceflight on the human body. It has played an essential role in preparing and monitoring the health of cosmonauts, contributing to historic achievements such as missions on the International Space Station. Known for its innovative experiments, the institute continues to advance knowledge about human adaptation to the extreme conditions of space.
