Brutkey

AkaSci 🛰🛰️
@AkaSci@fosstodon.org

25 years ago, on 2 November 2000, three crew members of the first expedition to the ISS arrived aboard a Soyuz TM-31 spacecraft.

In the next 5 months, 5 different spacecraft docked with it, bringing supplies and human visitors, including three visits by crewed Space Shuttles.

Left to right:
Flight Engineer Sergei K. Krikalev
Commander William M. (Bill) Shepherd
Soyuz Commander Yuri P. Gidzenko
https://www.nasa.gov/mission/expedition-1/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expedition_1
4/n

Official portrait of the Expedition 1 crew ISS01-S-002 or JSC2000-06243 (October 2000) --- ISS Expedition One Commander William M. (Bill) Shepherd (center) is flanked by Soyuz Commander Yuri P. Gidzenko (right) and Flight Engineer Sergei K. Krikalev (left) in this crew photograph, taken during a break in training in Russia. The three, posed in front of a rendition of the International Space Station, are wearing the Sokol space suits like those they will don for their Soyuz-provided trip to ISS later this month. National flags representing all the international partners run along the bottom of the portrait. Image Credit: NASA
AkaSci 🛰🛰️
@AkaSci@fosstodon.org

Current configuration of the International Space Station, including the newly arrived Soyuz MS-28.

Seven spacecraft are currently docked at the space station. The 8th spacecraft, the Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus cargo craft, has been temporarily uninstalled from the Harmony module with the Canadarm2 robotic arm until Dec. 1.

https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/spacestation/2025/11/27/station-waits-to-welcome-to-new-crew-hatches-open-soon/
5/n

Graphic of the ISS and the 8 spacecraft around it.
AkaSci 🛰🛰️
@AkaSci@fosstodon.org

It appears that during the launch of the Soyuz MS-28 crew vehicle to the ISS on Nov 27, the launch pad in Baikonur suffered severe damage.

The retractable mobile service platform, which sits underneath the launch pad and is used to service the tail end of the rocket, broke apart and collapsed into the flame duct below the pad.

It might take months or years to repair it. Until then, service to the ISS from Russia will be on hold.
☹☹️
https://www.russianspaceweb.com/baikonur_r7_31.html#cabin
https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=63952.0;all
6/n

1. Pic of the launch pad after the mishap, showing the mobile service platform lying crumpled in the flame pit. 2. Diagram of the launch pad with a rocket and the deployed mobile service platform below it. 3. Illustration of the mobile service platform.
AkaSci 🛰🛰️
@AkaSci@fosstodon.org

Everything looked fine during launch preparations for the Soyuz MS-28 mission to the ISS under blue skies at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

As in all launches from Baikonur, a Russian Orthodox Priest performed the customary blessing of the rocket and the mission.

Thankfully, the mission itself was successfully and all 3 astronauts arrived safely at the ISS.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasahqphoto/albums/72177720330533678/with/54948165793
7/n

Pics of the ISS Expedition 74 Soyuz Rollout in Baikonur. 1. The Soyuz rocket is seen after having been rolled out by train to the launch pad, Monday, Nov. 24, 2025, at Site 31 of the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls) 2. The Soyuz rocket is raised vertical, Monday, Nov. 24, 2025, at site 31 launch pad of the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls) 3. Russian Orthodox Priest blesses the Soyuz rocket, Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Photo Credit: (NASA/Victor Zelentsov)
AkaSci 🛰🛰️
@AkaSci@fosstodon.org

Colorful artwork adorned the lower section of the Soyuz rocket at Baikonur.

The artwork was created by children undergoing cancer treatment from 50 cities across Russia and 14 countries. 130 of them attended the launch.

"Rocket of Dreams" is a space art therapy program run by the UNITY Foundation, which partners with organizations like Roscosmos and MoonDAO to bring hope to children and adults with cancer.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasahqphoto/albums/72177720330533678/with/54943853078
https://sputnikmediabank.com/media/9057706.html
https://www.moondao.com/proposal/181
8/n

1. Pic of the lower section of the Soyuz rocket, raised vertical, on Monday, Nov. 24, 2025, at site 31 launch pad of the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The section is covered in colorful artwork by children. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls) 2. Pic of Roscosmos State Space Corporation Director General Dmitry Bakanov and participants of the Rocket of Dreams project of the Unity Foundation after the launch of the Soyuz-2.1a rocket with the Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS) at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan. For the first time in history, the rocket has been decorated with drawings made by children suffering from cancer. Children from 50 cities across Russia and 14 countries across the world contributed to the project by depicting their cosmic dreams. Author: Grigory Sysoev Credit: Sputnik Source: Sputnik
AkaSci 🛰🛰️
@AkaSci@fosstodon.org

Few pics of the artwork by young cancer patients being installed on the Soyuz rocket in the assembly building at Baikonur.

Source: https://x.com/robert_savitsky/status/1991880664422224189
9/n

3 pics pics of the artwork by young cancer patients being installed on the Soyuz rocket in the assembly building at Baikonur.