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 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.