Soyuz MS-23 launched 2023

Soyuz MS-23, launched February 24, 2023, was an uncrewed spaceflight to the International Space Station to replace the damaged Soyuz MS-22.  

A micro-meteoroid impact resulted in a 0.8 mm hole in the radiator of Soyuz MS-22, and doubts about the safety of the spacecraft. It returned to Earth uncrewed, and Soyuz MS-23 was launched.

Soyuz MS-23 docked with the ISS February 26 and returned to Earth in September 2023, with Sergey Prokopyev, Dmitry Petelin, and Francisco Rubio.

Happy birthday, astronaut Frank Rubio!

Francisco "Frank" Rubio, born December 11, 1975 in Los Angeles, California, went in to space aboard Soyuz MS-22, in September 2022 to the International Space Station.  While on board he participated in Expeditions 67-69.  His mission was scheduled to last about six months, but damage to the spacecraft extended his mission.  He returned to Earth on Soyuz MS-23 in September 2023, spending almost 371 days in space. He is the first American to spend more than a year in space.  

Record-breaking Soyuz MS-23 missions returns to Earth

Soyuz MS-22 crew (Top-Bottom): Dimitry Petelin, Frank Rubio, Sergey Prokopyev

Soyuz MS-23, which launched back in February 2023, returned to Earth safely yesterday with the crew of Soyuz MS-22, which launched September 21, 2022. The crew consisted of Sergey Prokopyev (Commander), Dimitry Petelin, and Francisco Rubio (NASA).  

While aboard the International Space Station, they participated in Expeditions 67-69. 

Rubio has spent more than 370 days in space, making him the first American to spend more than a full year in space, breaking Mark Vande Hei's record.

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month: Frank Rubio, first Salvadoran-American astronaut!

Major Francisco "Frank" Rubio, born December 11, 1975 in Los Angeles, was selected as a member of NASA Astronaut Group 22 in 2017.  He has since completed his training and is looking forward to going into space or even the moon in 2024. 

He was a UH-60 Blackhawk pilot in the US Army, was a platoon leader in the 2nd Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division, and company commander for the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment.  He has over 1100 hours flying time including 600 combat hours in Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan.

He has a Doctorate of Medicine and was a surgeon for the 3rd Battalion, 10th Special Force Group at Fort Carson.