NASA astronaut Chris Williams launched aboard a Soyuz spacecraft on November 24, 2023, joining two Russian cosmonauts on a mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The crew, commanded by Sergey Kud-Sverchkov, lifted off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 4:27 a.m. Eastern Time. This mission marks a significant milestone for Williams, who is making his first journey into space.
The Soyuz MS-28 mission features Kud-Sverchkov at the helm, with flight engineer Sergey Mikayev and Williams accompanying him. The spacecraft’s booster ignited smoothly, propelling them into orbit. Just under ten minutes later, the crew successfully separated from the booster, with their solar panels unfolding as they set course for the ISS. If all goes as planned, they are expected to dock at the station’s Earth-facing Rassvet module at 7:38 a.m. Eastern Time.
Background and Training of the Crew
Williams, a former volunteer firefighter and emergency medical technician, has an impressive academic background. He earned a Ph.D. in astrophysics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and was a board-certified medical physicist at Harvard Medical School prior to his selection for NASA’s astronaut corps in 2021. This mission is particularly notable for Williams and Mikayev, as it is their inaugural space flight, while Kud-Sverchkov brings extensive experience, having previously spent 185 days aboard the ISS.
In a recent interview with NASA, Williams expressed enthusiasm about his crew, stating, “It’s a really great crew. Sergey and Sergey are both just absolutely wonderful people, really kind, super interested, super intellectually curious.” He emphasized the enriching discussions they have shared during their training.
The Soyuz MS-28 crew will replace the outgoing team from the Soyuz MS-27 mission, which includes commander Sergey Ryzhikov, flight engineer Alexey Zubritsky, and NASA astronaut Jonny Kim. The outgoing team is expected to return to Earth on December 9, concluding their eight-month stay at the ISS.
Williams’ Aspirations and Contributions
Williams, who is also an Eagle Scout and holds a private pilot’s license, has a passion for making a positive impact. His journey into medical physics stemmed from a chance conversation at a social event, where he learned about the need for physicists in medical fields. He noted, “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.” His background in radio astronomy is particularly relevant, as he has found that many mathematical concepts in medical imaging parallel those used in astrophysics.
As he embarks on this mission, Williams highlighted his primary goal: “I think the biggest one, and the thing I’m most excited about, is to truly be able to put my training into practice and to do a really good job to push forward the science and research that we’re doing on the space station.” His commitment to advancing scientific knowledge during his time aboard the ISS underscores the importance of collaborative international efforts in space exploration.
Upon arrival at the ISS, Williams and his colleagues will be welcomed by fellow astronauts, including NASA Crew 11 commander Zena Cardman and others who recently launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket in August. The team will participate in a video call with mission managers and family members before commencing their orientation and safety briefings.
With the successful launch of the Soyuz MS-28 mission, both NASA and the Russian space agency continue to strengthen their partnership in space exploration, highlighting the significance of international cooperation in advancing scientific research beyond Earth.
