Soyuz MS-17 launched today!

Soyuz MS-17 crew (L-R): Kathleen Rubins, Sergey Ryzhikov, Sergey Kud-Sverchkov

Soyuz MS-17, launched this morning, has carried three members of Expedition 63 to the International Space Station.  Its crew consists of Commander Sergey Ryzhikov, Sergey Kud-Sverchkov, and Kathleen Rubins (NASA), who celebrates her birthday today!

They plan to return to Earth April 17, 2021.

Happy birthday, astronaut Kathleen Rubins!

Kathleen Rubins, born October 14, 1978 in Farmington, Connecticut, has spent 115 days in space aboard the International Space Station. She launched in Soyuz MS-01 in July 2016.  She took part in Expeditions 48 and 49.  She has conducted two EVAs for a total time of 12 hours, 46 minutes.

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.