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| Soyuz MS-17 | |
|---|---|
| Name | Soyuz MS-17 |
| Mission type | Crewed mission to International Space Station |
| Operator | Roscosmos |
| Manufacturer | RKK Energia |
| Spacecraft | Soyuz MS |
| Launch date | 14 October 2020 UTC |
| Launch vehicle | Soyuz-2.1a |
| Launch site | Baikonur Cosmodrome |
| Landing date | 17 April 2021 UTC |
| Landing site | Kazakh Steppe |
| Crew callsign | Notable |
Soyuz MS-17 was a Russian crewed Soyuz MS mission that transported a three-person crew to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of Expedition 63/64. Launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome in October 2020 atop a Soyuz-2.1a rocket, the flight demonstrated a fast-rendezvous profile and supported international research programs including experiments from NASA, Roscosmos, and commercial partners. The mission carried veteran cosmonauts and a NASA astronaut, contributing to station operations during the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical events affecting spaceflight.
Soyuz MS-17 served as a crew transport to the International Space Station for Expedition 63 and Expedition 64 crew rotations. The flight used a two-orbit, approximately three-hour fast-rendezvous rendezvous technique previously validated by Roscosmos and RKK Energia with involvement from launch providers at Baikonur Cosmodrome and mission control centers including TsUP and Mission Control Center Houston. The mission supported ongoing experiments from NASA, ESA, JAXA, CSA, and private investigations sponsored by commercial entities such as SpaceX competitors and industrial partners. Flight operations occurred against the backdrop of international cooperation between Roscosmos and NASA amid logistical changes following crew assignments involving Soyuz MS-16 and crew planning influenced by discussions at European Space Agency headquarters.
The Soyuz flight carried three crew members: Russian cosmonauts selected by Roscosmos and an American astronaut assigned by NASA. The commander and flight engineer roles were filled by experienced personnel with prior missions including long-duration stays on the International Space Station and flights involving Soyuz TMA series vehicles and training at facilities such as Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center. The inclusion of a NASA crew member reflected seat-swap arrangements and international agreements similar to earlier cooperative missions with partners from European Space Agency nations and allies like Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.
The spacecraft was a Soyuz MS variant manufactured by RKK Energia and integrating avionics upgrades implemented after the MS-1 baseline, including modernized navigation, communications, and docking systems. The vehicle incorporated components developed at enterprises such as Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center and tested by specialists from TsSKB-Progress and associated contractors. Life support systems were certified to support long-duration habitation compatible with station interfaces maintained by Roscosmos and NASA flight controllers. The spacecraft docked to an ISS module supplied under cooperative arrangements with partners operating modules like Poisk and Pirs.
Launch occurred from Baikonur Cosmodrome using a Soyuz-2.1a launch vehicle managed by launch operations teams at Site 31/6 and coordinated with range safety authorities at Baikonur. The mission executed a rapid rendezvous profile passing near orbital landmarks such as the Kármán line and performing phasing burns managed by flight dynamics officers at TsUP and with trajectory support referencing tracking stations including those in Yucca Flats equivalents and partner networks. Docking to the ISS occurred at a Russian docking port on the orbital complex, where operations involved coordination with crews from ongoing Expeditions and control centers including Mission Control Center Houston and station leadership such as the Expedition commander. The approach used the Soyuz automated rendezvous system tested during previous flights by Gennady Padalka and others.
During their increment on the International Space Station, the crew conducted a mix of station maintenance, spacecraft operations, and scientific investigations across disciplines supported by agencies like NASA, Roscosmos, ESA, JAXA, and CSA. Experiments included human physiology studies comparable to those from Twin Study-style investigations and cellular biology work resembling projects run aboard Space Shuttle missions and later platforms. Technology demonstrations and material science projects involved collaboration with commercial partners and academic institutions such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, and Moscow State University. The crew also supported external payload operations coordinated with facilities like the Space Station Remote Manipulator System and contributed to outreach through recordings tied to organizations such as National Geographic and educational programs promoted by Smithsonian Institution.
The spacecraft undocked from the International Space Station and performed deorbit burns managed by crew and flight controllers at TsUP with trajectory planning influenced by ground assets including recovery teams from Roscosmos and Kazakh authorities in regions near the Kazakh Steppe. Landing occurred on the steppes of Kazakhstan where search and recovery forces, trained alongside specialists from NASA and other partners, secured the crew and spacecraft. Postflight medical assessments were conducted by medical teams from Institute of Biomedical Problems and NASA Johnson Space Center to evaluate crew health after exposure to microgravity environments studied in analogs like Antarctic missions.
The mission insignia combined symbols reflecting Russian heritage and international cooperation, distributed by Roscosmos and public affairs offices at NASA to media outlets including TASS, RIA Novosti, Reuters, and Associated Press. Public engagement featured interviews and imagery released through platforms managed by Roscosmos Press Service and NASA Public Affairs with appearances in outlets such as The New York Times, BBC News, CNN, and aerospace periodicals like Aviation Week & Space Technology. Educational outreach connected with institutions including Moscow State University and Stanford University and cultural events involving museums like the RKK Energia Museum and Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.
Category:Human spaceflight missions Category:Spacecraft launched in 2020