Happy birthday, cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin!

Alexander Misurkin, born September 23, 1977 in Russia, has been in space three times.  He is a major in the Russian Air Force.

His first trip into space was aboard Soyuz TMA-08M as flight engineer in March 2013, to the International Space Station.  He participated in Expeditions 35 and 36, returning to Earth in September, after more than 166 days in space.

His second trip was aboard Soyuz MS-06 as commander in September 2017, to the ISS.  He participated in Expeditions 53 and 54, returning to Earth in February 2018, after over 168 days in space.

His third trip was aboard Soyuz MS-20 as commander in December 2021 to the ISS.  This time he hosted two space tourists from Japan and only stayed in space just under 12 days. 

Misurkin has performed 4 EVAs for a total time of 28 hours and 14 minutes, including setting the record for the longest Russian EVA - 8 hours, 13 minutes.

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 Pavel Vinogradov!

Pavel Vinogradov, born August 31, 1953 in Magadan in the former Soviet Union, is a veteran of three space flights.

His first flight was aboard Soyuz TM-26 as flight engineer to the space station Mir in August 1997.  He remained on board for almost 198 days before returning to Earth in February 1998.

His second flight was aboard Soyuz TMA-8 as commander to the International Space Station in March 2006.  He participated in Expedition 13 and conducted 2 EVAs.  He returned to Earth in September after almost 181 days.

His third flight was aboard Soyuz TMA-08M as commander to the ISS in March 2013.  He participated in Expeditions 35 and 36.  He stayed aboard for over 166 days before returning to Earth in September 2013.

Soyuz TMA-08M launched 2013

L-R: Chris Cassidy, Pavel Vinogradov, Alexander Misurkin

Mission patch

Soyuz TMA-08M, launched March 28, 2013, carried members of Expedition 35 to the International Space Station.  Its crew consisted of Pavel Vinogradov (Roscosmos), Alexander Misurkin (Roscosmos) and Christopher Cassidy (NASA).  They docked with the ISS just under six hours after launch, a new record for the fastest docking.

After 166 days in space, they returned to Earth in September 2013.