In a significant step towards ensuring the continuity of human presence in low Earth orbit, the Russian State Commission successfully launched a Soyuz-2.1a carrier rocket from the historic Baikonur Cosmodrome on Thursday. The rocket carried the Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft, carrying a joint international crew of Russian and American astronauts, on a long-duration scientific mission to the International Space Station.
Flight details and docking route
According to data from the mission control center, the rocket launched at 12:28 Moscow time, carrying a crew of Russian cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergey Mikheev, along with American astronaut Christopher Williams. The spacecraft successfully separated from the rocket's third stage 8 minutes and 49 seconds after liftoff, beginning its independent journey and trajectory toward the orbiting laboratory.
The spacecraft is planned to follow a fast trajectory to reach the station, with docking with the Russian module of the International Space Station expected to be completed at 3:38 PM Moscow time. This precise timing is the result of decades of development of space navigation algorithms employed by the Russian space agency, Roscosmos.
Baikonur: The gateway to space
This launch is particularly significant as it originates from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the world's first and largest spaceport. This site holds a profound historical legacy, having witnessed the launch of the first artificial satellite in history, Sputnik-1, and the first human spaceflight by Yuri Gagarin. The continued use of this spaceport underscores the robust infrastructure upon which Russian and international space programs rely to ensure safe and reliable access to orbit.
International cooperation despite the challenges
The presence of American astronaut Christopher Williams alongside his Russian colleagues stands as a testament to the ongoing space cooperation between NASA and Roscosmos. Despite geopolitical tensions on Earth, the International Space Station remains a rare oasis of peaceful scientific collaboration between superpowers. This mission is part of the "reciprocal seats" agreement, which ensures that astronauts from both countries are aboard spacecraft, guaranteeing the continuous operation of the Russian and American segments of the station in the event of an emergency involving one of the transport vehicles.
Objectives of the scientific mission and its duration
The Soyuz MS-28 crew's mission is scheduled to last 242 days, a relatively long period that will allow them to conduct a wide range of scientific experiments in a microgravity environment. This research typically includes studies in biology, physics, and materials science, as well as Earth observation and testing of new technologies that could be crucial for future missions to the Moon and Mars. The crew will also perform routine maintenance on the station to ensure the continued efficient operation of its vital systems.
