NASA astronaut Chris Williams and two cosmonauts from Russia successfully launched to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard a Soyuz MS-28 rocket on November 27, 2025. The launch took place at 4:27 a.m. EST from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, marking the start of an eight-month mission in orbit. Williams, along with Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev, is set to contribute to critical research aboard the ISS.
The crew’s journey began as the Soyuz 2.1a booster ignited, propelling the spacecraft away from the launch pad. Within nine minutes and 45 seconds, the spacecraft separated from the booster, and its solar wings unfolded. The crew is expected to dock at the ISS’s Earth-facing Rassvet module at approximately 7:38 a.m. after a two-orbit rendezvous.
Williams, who transitioned from an academic career in astrophysics to becoming a NASA astronaut, expressed his enthusiasm for the mission. In an interview with NASA, he praised his crewmates, stating, “Sergey and Sergey are both just absolutely wonderful people, really kind, super interested, super intellectually curious.” His background includes experience as a volunteer firefighter and emergency medical technician, alongside a Ph.D. from MIT.
This mission replaces the crew of the Soyuz MS-27, which included commander Sergey Ryzhikov, flight engineer Alexey Zubritsky, and astronaut Jonny Kim. The previous crew launched on April 7, 2025, and is scheduled to return to Earth in early December, concluding their own eight-month stay.
Upon arrival at the ISS, Williams and his fellow astronauts will be greeted by the current crew, including NASA Crew 11 commander Zena Cardman, veteran astronaut Michael Fincke, and Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui. They are currently aboard the station following their launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket last August. All eleven crew members will participate in a welcome video call to mission managers and families before engaging in safety briefings and familiarizing themselves with the station’s systems.
Williams, who holds a private pilot’s license and is an Eagle Scout, has an impressive academic history. After earning a bachelor’s degree in physics from Stanford University, he worked in radio astronomy before shifting to medical physics. His transition was inspired by a conversation about the applications of physics in medicine, particularly in radiation oncology. “I was struck by how much of what I knew and had learned as an astronomer would actually be useful and apply very directly to medicine,” Williams remarked.
As he embarks on this significant journey, Williams looks forward to applying his training in a practical environment. He emphasized the importance of advancing scientific research aboard the ISS, stating, “I think it’s incredibly important… and I feel really lucky to have the opportunity to contribute to that.”
Williams’s selection as an astronaut in 2021 marked him as the second member of his class to fly into space, a testament to his dedication and expertise. He acknowledged the challenges of training for a Russian spacecraft, particularly due to extensive travel, and credited his wife, Aubrey, for maintaining family stability throughout the rigorous process.
As the Soyuz MS-28 crew embarks on their mission, their journey signifies a continuing collaboration between NASA and Roscosmos, furthering the exploration of space and the advancement of science.
