Soyuz MS-16 launched today!

Soyuz MS-16 crew (L-R):  Chris Cassidy, Anatoli Ivanishin, Ivan Vagner

Mission patch

Soyuz MS-16 was launched earlier this morning to the International Space Station.  It has docked with the station but the hatch hasn't been opened yet.  Its crew consists of Commander Anatoli Ivanishin, Ivan Vagner and Christopher Cassidy.

They will join the crew of Expedition 62 currently aboard the ISS.

Soyuz MS-01 launched 2016

Soyuz MS-01 crew (L-R): Anatoli Ivanishin, Kathleen Rubins, Takuya Onishi

Mission patch

Soyuz MS-01, launched July 7, 2016, was a spaceflight to the International Space Station, carrying the members of Expedition 48.  Its crew consisted of Commander Anatoli Ivanishin (Roscosmos), Takuya Onishi (JAXA), Kathleen Rubins (NASA).

Rubins conducted two EVAs during her stay aboard the ICC for almost 13 hours total.  The crew of Soyuz MS-01 returned to Earth October 2016.

Happy birthday, cosmonaut Anatoli Ivanishin!

Anatoli Ivanishin, born January 15, 1969, is a cosmonaut who has been into space twice. 

His first trip into space was aboard Soyuz TMA-22 to the International Space Station in November 2011.  He participated in Expeditions 29 and 30.  He spent 165 days in space, returning to Earth in April 2012.

His second mission was aboard Soyuz MS-01 to the ISS in July 2016.  He was a part of Expeditions 48 and 49.  He was commander of Expedition 49.  He returned to Earth in October. 

Ivanishin has spent 280 days total in space.

Soyuz TMA-22 launched 2011

Angry Birds in space! 

L-R: Daniel C. Burbank, Anton Shkaplerov and Anatoli Ivanishin

Mission patch

In the midst of a snow storm, Soyuz TMA-22 blasted off November 14, 2011 with two Russians and one American on their way to the International Space Station.  It was the first manned mission to the ISS since NASA had ended the space shuttle program in July with STS-135.

Soyuz TMA-22's crew consisted of Commander Anton Shkaplerov, Flight Engineer Anatoli Ivanishin and Flight Engineer Daniel Burbank (from Connecticut).

It is the first known flight in which an Angry Bird was a passenger.