In a powerful display of continued international space cooperation, a trio of American and Russian astronauts blasted off toward the International Space Station on Thursday, November 27, 2025.
Historic Launch from Baikonur Cosmodrome
The Soyuz-2.1 rocket booster carrying the Soyuz MS-28 space ship launched successfully from the Russian-leased Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The spacecraft is transporting a carefully selected crew comprising one NASA astronaut and two cosmonauts from Russia's Roscosmos space corporation.
The morning launch proceeded without any reported issues, with the rocket piercing through the atmosphere as it began its journey to the orbiting laboratory. This mission represents another chapter in the long-standing partnership between the United States and Russia in space exploration, continuing a collaboration that has persisted through various geopolitical challenges on Earth.
Continuing International Cooperation in Space
This joint mission underscores the enduring nature of space cooperation between NASA and Roscosmos. Despite tensions in other areas, the two space agencies have maintained their working relationship aboard the International Space Station, which has been continuously occupied for over two decades.
The successful launch demonstrates the ongoing reliability of the Soyuz spacecraft system, which has been ferrying crews to and from the space station for years. The Russian spacecraft remains one of the few vehicles capable of transporting humans to the orbiting outpost.
Mission Objectives and Duration
While specific details about the crew members' identities and the exact duration of their mission weren't provided in the initial report, typical expeditions to the International Space Station last approximately six months. During their time aboard, astronauts and cosmonauts conduct hundreds of scientific experiments across various disciplines including biology, physics, astronomy, and meteorology.
The crew will join other astronauts already aboard the station, continuing the uninterrupted human presence in space that began in November 2000. Their work will contribute to research that benefits life on Earth while preparing for future deep space missions.
This launch comes at a time when both NASA and Roscosmos are working with other international partners to plan the future of space station operations and eventual lunar exploration under the Artemis program.
