NASA astronaut Chris Williams and two Russian cosmonauts launched aboard a Soyuz rocket on November 27, 2025, marking the beginning of their mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The crew, which includes Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev, took off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 4:27 a.m. EST. This flight is part of a planned eight-month stay in orbit, focused on advancing scientific research aboard the ISS.
As the Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft lifted off, it powered through the atmosphere with the Soyuz 2.1a booster, which performed flawlessly. Approximately nine minutes and 45 seconds after launch, the spacecraft separated from the booster, unfurling its solar panels in preparation for its journey to the ISS. If all goes according to plan, the crew will dock at the station’s Earth-facing Rassvet module at 7:38 a.m. EST.
Chris Williams, who previously worked as a medical physicist at Harvard Medical School, is making his first journey to space. He joined NASA’s astronaut corps in 2021 after a diverse career that included work in radio astronomy and firefighting. Both Williams and flight engineer Sergei Mikaev will experience space travel for the first time, while commander Sergey Kud-Sverchkov brings valuable experience, having spent 185 days aboard the ISS between 2020 and 2021.
In a NASA interview, Williams expressed enthusiasm about his crew, stating, “It’s a really great crew. Sergey and Sergey are both just absolutely wonderful people, really kind, super interested, super intellectually curious.” He noted the depth of discussions they had during training sessions in both Star City and Houston.
The Soyuz MS-28 mission replaces the crew of Soyuz MS-27, which included commander Sergey Ryzhikov, flight engineer Alexey Zubritsky, and NASA astronaut Jonny Kim. That crew launched to the ISS on April 7, 2025, and will return to Earth in early December after completing their own eight-month mission.
Upon arrival at the ISS, Williams and his colleagues will be welcomed by NASA Crew 11, which includes commander Zena Cardman, Michael Fincke, Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui, and cosmonaut Oleg Platonov. The Crew 11 team had previously launched on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket in August 2025 and plans to return home in early 2026.
Williams reflects on his journey to becoming an astronaut, highlighting his early interest in both physics and medicine. “I found satisfaction in knowing that at the end of the shift, I would have really made a very direct and immediate positive impact on somebody’s life,” he said, discussing his background as a volunteer firefighter and EMT.
His transition to medical physics was sparked by conversations with professionals in the field, revealing parallels between the mathematics used in astronomy and medical imaging. “A lot of the math behind (medical) imaging is the exact same math that you use in a radio telescope to make an image,” he explained.
As part of his astronaut training, Williams faced various challenges, particularly related to the travel involved, but credited his wife, Aubrey, for maintaining balance at home. Looking ahead to his time in space, he expressed a commitment to advancing scientific research on the ISS. “I think it’s incredibly important and inspiring. I feel really lucky to have the opportunity to contribute to that,” he said.
The successful launch of the Soyuz MS-28 crew underscores the ongoing collaboration between NASA and Roscosmos, contributing to international efforts in space exploration and science. As they embark on their mission, the trio aims to continue the legacy of innovation and discovery that has defined human spaceflight.
