Happy birthday, cosmonaut Sergey Prokopyev!

Sergey Prokopyev, born February 19, 1975 in the former Soviet Union, has been in space twice, spending over 567 days in space.

His first mission was aboard Soyuz MS-09 as commander to the International Space Station in June 2018.  He remained on board, participating in Expeditions 56 and 57, before returning to Earth in December 2018.

His second mission was aboard Soyuz MS-22 as commander in September 2022 to the ISS.  He participated in Expeditions 67-69, spending a year in space, before returning to Earth in September 2023 aboard Soyuz MS-23. 

Happy birthday, astronaut Serena Auñón-Chancellor!

Serena Aunon-Chancellor, born April 9, 1976 in Indianapolis, Indiana, is the second Hispanic female astronaut.  She went into space aboard Soyuz MS-09 to the International Space Station in June 2018.  She participated in Expeditions 56 and 57.  

She also participated in Aquarius underwater laboratory NEEMO 16 and NEEMO 20.

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month - Serena Aunon-Chancellor, second Hispanic female astronaut

Serena Aunon-Chancellor, born in Indianapolis, Indiana, is the second Hispanic female astronaut, following Ellen Ochoa.  Her father arrived in the United States from Cuba in 1960.

Aunon-Chancellor launched aboard Soyuz MS-09 to the International Space Station, where she participated in Expeditions 56 and 57.

She also participated in NEEMO 20 at NASA's Aquarius underwater laboratory in July 2015.

Happy birthday, ESA astronaut Alexander Gerst!

Alexander Gerst, born May 3, 1976 in West Germany, is an astronaut for the European Space Agency.  He has been in space twice.

His first into space was aboard Soyuz TMA-13M as flight engineer in May 2014 to the International Space Station.  He participated in Expeditions 40 and 41.  He returned to Earth in November 2014.

His second trip was aboard Soyuz MS-09 in June 2018 as flight engineer to the ISS.  He participated in Expeditions 56 and 57.  He returned to Earth in December 2018.

Happy birthday, cosmonaut Oleg Artemyev!

Oleg Artemyev, born December 28, 1970 in Riga, Latvia, has been in space twice. 

His first mission was aboard Soyuz TMA-12M, which launched in March 2014 to the International Space Station.  He took part in Expeditions 39 and 40, returning to Earth in September after 169

His most recent trip into space was aboard Soyuz MS-08, from March to October of this year.  He was part of Expeditions 55 and 56.  He spent about 197 days aboard the ISS.

He has spent a year and a day total in space

Expedition 57 crew landed safely this morning!

Soyuz MS-09/Expedition 57 crew (L-R): Serena Aunon-Chancellor, Alex Gerst, Sergey Prokopyev

Mission patch

Back in June, Soyuz MS-09 launched with Alexander Gerst (ESA), Sergey Prokopyev (RSA) and Serena Aunon-Chancellor to the International Space Station.  They joined Andrew Feustel (NASA), Oleg Artemyev (RSA) and Richard Arnold (NASA) for the second part of Expedition 56.  Serena became the first Latin resident of the ISS.

Today, they returned to Earth landing safely in Kazakhstan.  They leave Oleg Kononenko (RSA), Anne McClain (NASA) and David Saint-Jacques for the remainder of Expedition 57.

Expedition 56 crew returns safely to Earth!

The three astronauts who make up the crew of Expedition 56 to the International Space Station have returned safely to Earth, touching down in Kazakhstan.  The crew members are Commander Drew Feustel, Flight Engineer Ricky Arnold and Soyuz Commander Oleg Artemyev.  They spent 197 days in space, traveling over 83 million miles.

Happy birthday, Space Shuttle astronaut Drew Feustel!

Andrew "Drew" Feustel, born August 25, 1965 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, is an astronaut for NASA, a veteran of two space shuttle missions, and is currently commander of the International Space Station.

His first mission into space was aboard Atlantis (STS-125) in May 2009 as mission specialist.  It was the fifth servicing mission to the Hubble Space Telescope.

His second mission was aboard Endeavour (STS-134) as mission specialist.  This was the next to last flight of the space shuttle program.

He is currently on his third mission and is commander of Expedition 56.  He blasted off on Soyuz MS-08 to the International Space Station, initially as part of Expedition 55.  He will return to Earth sometime this month.

Soyuz MS-09 launched today!

Soyuz MS-09 crew (L-R): Sergey Prokopyev, Alexander Gerst, Serena Aunon-Chancellor

Mission patch

Soyuz MS-09 launched this morning, taking the crew members of Expedition 56-57 to the International Space Station.  Its crew is Commander Sergey Prokopyev (Roscosmos), Alexander Gerst (ESA and only non-rookie) and Serena M. Aunon-Chancellor (NASA and second Hispanic woman in space).

They will join Andrew Feustel, Oleg Artemyev and Richard Arnold already aboard the ISS for the second part of Expedition 56.  The crew of Soyuz MS-09 will remain on board until December.