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.

Happy birthday, cosmonaut Anatoli Ivanishin!

Anatoli Ivanishin, born January 15, 1969, is a cosmonaut who has been into space twice. 

His first trip into space was aboard Soyuz TMA-22 to the International Space Station in November 2011.  He participated in Expeditions 29 and 30.  He spent 165 days in space, returning to Earth in April 2012.

His second mission was aboard Soyuz MS-01 to the ISS in July 2016.  He was a part of Expeditions 48 and 49.  He was commander of Expedition 49.  He returned to Earth in October. 

Ivanishin has spent 280 days total in space.

Happy birthday, JAXA astronaut Takuya Onishi!

Takuya Onishi, born December 22, 1975 in Tokyo, Japan, traveled to the International Space Station aboard Soyuz MS-01 in July 2016 as part of Expeditions 48 and 49.  He spent almost four months in space.  Prior to his space travel, he served as an aquanaut in NASA's Aquarius underwater laboratory in October 2011.