NASA Astronaut Chris Williams, Crewmates Arrive at Space Station
On November 27, 2025, the Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft successfully launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, carrying NASA astronaut Chris Williams and Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev to the International Space Station (ISS). The launch took place at 4:27 a.m. EST, and after a swift journey of just over three hours, the spacecraft docked with the ISS at 7:34 a.m. EST. This mission marks an important milestone as it expands the ISS crew to ten members for a two-week period, enhancing the collaborative efforts of astronauts and cosmonauts from various space agencies.
Upon arrival, the new crew members were greeted by the Expedition 73 team, which includes notable astronauts such as Mike Fincke, Zena Cardman, and Jonny Kim from NASA, as well as Kimiya Yui from JAXA and cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov, Alexey Zubritsky, and Oleg Platonov from Roscosmos. The hatch opening was anticipated around 10:10 a.m. EST, with live coverage provided by NASA on various platforms, including NASA+, Amazon Prime, and YouTube. During his time aboard the ISS, Chris Williams will engage in critical scientific research, including the installation of a new modular workout system designed for long-duration missions, experiments aimed at improving cryogenic fuel efficiency, and the growth of semiconductor crystals in microgravity. Additionally, he will contribute to developing new re-entry safety protocols, ensuring the safety of future space missions.
The Expedition 74 mission is set to officially commence on December 8, following the departure of the current crew members, who have been conducting an eight-month science mission aboard the ISS. A change of command ceremony will take place on December 7, where leadership responsibilities will transition from Ryzhikov to Fincke. This ongoing collaboration between NASA and Roscosmos exemplifies the international commitment to advancing human space exploration and conducting research that benefits life on Earth. For more information about the ISS, its crew, and ongoing research, you can visit NASA’s official website.
The Soyuz rocket launches to the International Space Station with Expedition 74 crew members: NASA astronaut Chris Williams, and Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev, on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025, at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
NASA/Bill Ingalls
NASA astronaut Chris Williams, accompanied by Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev, safely arrived at the International Space Station on Thursday, expanding the orbiting laboratory’s crew to 10 for the next two weeks.
The trio launched aboard the Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft at 4:27 a.m. EST (2:27 p.m. Baikonur time) from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. After a three-hour, two-orbit journey, the spacecraft docked at 7:34 a.m. to the space station’s Rassvet module.
Following hatch opening, expected about 10:10 a.m., the new arrivals will be welcomed by the Expedition 73 crew, including NASA astronauts Mike Fincke, Zena Cardman, and Jonny Kim; JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Kimiya Yui; and Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov, Alexey Zubritsky, and Oleg Platonov.
NASA’s live coverage of hatch opening begins at 9:50 a.m. on
NASA+
,
Amazon Prime
, and
YouTube
. Learn how to
watch NASA content
through a variety of platforms, including social media.
During his stay aboard the space station, Williams will conduct scientific research and technology demonstrations aimed at advancing human space exploration and benefiting life on Earth. He will help install and test a
new modular workout system
for long-duration missions, support experiments to
improve cryogenic fuel efficiency
and
grow semiconductor crystals
in space, as well as assist NASA in designing new
re-entry safety protocols
to protect crews during future missions.
Expedition 74 is scheduled to begin on Monday, Dec. 8, following the departure of Kim, Ryzhikov, and Zubritsky, as they conclude an eight-month science mission aboard the orbital outpost.
Watch the change of command ceremony at 10:25 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 7, as station leadership transfers from Ryzhikov to Fincke, live on
NASA+
.
Learn more about International Space Station, crews, research, and operations at:
https://www.nasa.gov/station
-end-
Jimi Russell
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1100
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
Share
Details
Last Updated
Nov 27, 2025
Location
NASA Headquarters
Related Terms
Humans in Space
International Space Station (ISS)
