Soyuz MS-15 launched 2019

Soyuz MS-15 crew (L-R): Hazza Ali Mansouri, Oleg Skripochka, Jessica Meir

Soyuz MS-15, launched September 25, 2019, carried three people to the International Space Station.  Its crew consisted of Commander Oleg Skripochka, Flight Engineer Jessica Meir, and Hazza Al Mansouri, the first person from the United Arab Emirates to go into space.  

Skripochka and Meir participated in Expeditions 61 and 62, and returned to Earth in April 2020. Al Mansouri stayed on board for eight days and returned on Soyuz MS-12.  

Andrew Morgan returned in April 2020 on Soyuz MS-15 after participating in Expeditions 60-62. He was in space for over 271 days.

Happy birthday, astronaut Victor Glover!

Victor Glover, born April 30, 1976 in Pomona, California, is currently aboard the International Space Station.  He went into space aboard SpaceX Crew-1, launched in November 2020.  He has participated in Expedition 61 and is now involved with Expedition 62.  He is scheduled to return to Earth Sunday, May 2, 2021. 

Happy birthday, astronaut Chris Cassidy!

Christopher Cassidy, born January 4, 1970 in Salem, Massachusetts, has been in space three times. He was a Navy Seal for ten years before being selected as an astronaut by NASA in May 2004.  

His first trip into space was aboard Endeavour (STS-127) as mission specialist to the International Space Station in July 2009.  He conducted three EVAs with fellow astronauts David Wolf and Thomas Marshburn for a total of over 18 hours.

His second flight was aboard Soyuz TMA-08M to the International Space Station in March 2013.  He participated in Expeditions 35 and 36.  He stayed aboard for over 166 days before returning to Earth in September 2013.

His third flight was aboard Soyuz MS-16 to the International Space Station in April 2020.  He participated in Expeditions 62 and 63.  He stayed aboard for almost 196 days before returning to Earth in October 2020.

Happy birthday, cosmonaut Ivan Vagner!

Ivan Vagner, born July 10, 1985 in the former Soviet Union, is currently aboard the International Space Station.  He launched aboard Soyuz MS-16 as a flight engineer.  He is participating in Expeditions 62 and 63. 

Soyuz MS-15 lands safely today!

Soyuz MS-15 landing crew (L-R): Oleg Skripochka, Jessica Meir, Andrew Morgan

Soyuz MS-15, with members of Expedition 62, landed safely in Kazakhstan this morning.  Its crew consisted of Commander Oleg Skripochka and Jessica Meir who launched in September 2019.  They spent about 205 days in space.  Hazz Al Mansouri was aboard for the launch but returned on Soyuz MS-12 October 3.

Andrew Morgan went into space aboard Soyuz MS-13 in July 2019.  He spent about 277 days in space.

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.

Happy birthday, astronaut Drew Morgan!

Andrew "Drew" Morgan, born February 5, 1976 in Morgantown, West Virginia, is currently residing aboard the International Space Station.  He went into space on Soyuz MS-13 as flight engineer in July 2019.  He was part of Expeditions 60 and 61, and now Expedition 62.  He will return on Soyuz MS-15, probably later this year.

Celebrating Black History month: Victor Glover, African-American astronaut

Victor Glover, born April 30, 1976 in Pomona, California, is an astronaut for NASA.  He hasn't been into space yet but is scheduled to travel to the International Space Station as part of Expedition 62, which will probably launch sometime in 2020.

He was scheduled to fly to the ISS on the first mission of the SpaceX Crew Dragon as part of NASA's Commercial Crew Development Program but that flight has been postponed.