Happy birthday, cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov!

Cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, born May 24, 1990 in the previous Soviet Union, went into space aboard SpaceX Crew-9 to the International Space Station, as mission specialist in September 2024. He participated in Expedition 72 and planned to spend a month in space, but due to the problems with the spacecraft, his stay was extended.  

He spent 171 days in space, returning to Earth in March 2025.

Boeing Starliner Crew return to Earth yesterday

Boeing Starliner crew Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore

Boeing Starliner mission patch

Astronauts Sunita 'Suni' Williams and Barry Wilmore returned to Earth yesterday, March 18, 2025 after nine months in space.  They launched aboard the Boeing Starliner capsule to the International Space Station in June 2024 for an eight-day mission. However, the Starliner's thrusters malfunctioned as it approached the ISS, and NASA determined it was too risky for the crew to return.  The spacecraft returned uncrewed on September 7, 2024.

SpaceX Crew-9 launched on September 28, 2024 to the ISS with astronaut Nick Hague and cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov.  

The Crew Dragon spacecraft carried all four home.