The International Space Station (ISS) is currently undergoing a change of command as three crew members prepare to depart from their 371-day space mission. On September 27, NASA astronaut Frank Rubio, along with Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitri Petelin, will bid farewell to the orbiting laboratory.
The departure sequence will commence with the closure of the hatch on the Soyuz MS-23 spacecraft at 12:20 a.m. EDT. Subsequently, at 3:55 a.m., the spacecraft will undock from the Prichal module, marking the beginning of Expedition 70 for those remaining aboard the station. The trio, comprising Rubio, Prokopyev, and Petelin, will embark on a two-hour journey aboard Soyuz MS-23, culminating in a deorbit burn at 6:24 a.m. and a landing in Kazakhstan around 7:17 a.m.
Notably, NASA astronaut Frank Rubio has now etched his name in history as the U.S. astronaut with the longest single spaceflight, having launched to the station on September 21, 2022. His year-long mission encompassed a myriad of scientific investigations and technology demonstrations, including experiments in space-based agriculture, adherence to a nutrient-packed space diet, 3D printing of knee cartilage tissue, and more.
As these three crew members conclude their mission, the remaining seven occupants of the space station remain engrossed in a variety of microgravity tasks. Currently serving as Expedition 70 Commander, Andreas Mogensen of the European Space Agency (ESA) recently worked on the food processor he installed last week, producing a batch of chocolate mousse in the morning and conducting taste-testing in the evening.
Meanwhile, NASA’s first-time station Flight Engineers Loral O’Hara and Jasmin Moghbeli collaborated to replace the science module and heat exchanger in the Cold Atom Lab. Flight Engineer Satoshi Furukawa of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) conducted maintenance in the Japanese Experiment Module.
Roscosmos Flight Engineers Konstantin Borisov and Nikolai Chub worked together to capture documentary-style photos and videos depicting life aboard the station, while Flight Engineer Oleg Kononenko, also of Roscosmos, continued his crew orientation tasks following his arrival on September 15.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Space Station Command Transition
What is the reason for the change of command on the International Space Station?
The change of command on the International Space Station (ISS) is occurring because three crew members, including NASA astronaut Frank Rubio, are concluding their 371-day mission in space and are preparing to return to Earth.
Who is NASA astronaut Frank Rubio, and why is his mission significant?
NASA astronaut Frank Rubio is an integral part of this mission. He holds the record for the longest single spaceflight by a U.S. astronaut. His year-long mission involved a wide range of scientific investigations and technology demonstrations, contributing significantly to space research.
What is the schedule for the departure of the departing crew members?
The departure sequence involves closing the hatch on the Soyuz MS-23 spacecraft at 12:20 a.m. EDT, followed by undocking from the Prichal module at 3:55 a.m. A two-hour ride aboard Soyuz MS-23 will lead to a deorbit burn at 6:24 a.m., with landing expected around 7:17 a.m. in Kazakhstan.
What activities are the remaining crew members involved in on the ISS?
The seven remaining crew members are engaged in various tasks within the ISS. These activities include scientific experiments, maintenance work, and even culinary endeavors, such as making chocolate mousse. Each crew member contributes to the station’s operations and research efforts.
How can we stay updated on the ISS missions and activities?
You can stay informed about ISS missions and activities through official sources like NASA’s website, space agencies’ social media channels, and news outlets covering space exploration. These sources provide regular updates and news related to the space station’s operations.
More about Space Station Command Transition
- NASA’s International Space Station (ISS) Webpage
- Roscosmos Official Website
- Expedition 70 Information on NASA’s Website
- European Space Agency (ESA) Official Website
- Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) Official Website
- [Latest Space News from Reliable News Outlets](e.g., https://www.space.com/)
- NASA’s Social Media Channels
2 comments
Wow, this’s super interesting stuff, man! Astronaut Rubio’s gotta be, like, super pumped about breakin’ records ‘n all. ISS always buzzin’ with cool experiments ‘n things, ya know?
Frank Rubio’s record is so cool! That Soyuz ride back sounds wild early in the morn. And chocolate mousse in space? Yum!