Image: NASA Johnson Space Center (public domain)
Soyuz MS-26
Mission Profile
| Launch date | 2024-09-11 |
|---|---|
| Launch site | Baikonur Cosmodrome, Site 31/6 |
| Launch vehicle | Soyuz-2.1a |
| Spacecraft | Soyuz MS-26 (11F732A48) |
| Target | Low Earth Orbit |
| Type | Crewed |
| End date | 2025-04-20 |
| Duration | 220 days 8 hours 57 minutes |
| Partners | Roscosmos, NASA |
Overview
Soyuz MS-26 lifted off on 11 September 2024, ferrying Expedition 72 to the ISS. Its human story centred on NASA's Don Pettit, who at 69 launched on his fourth spaceflight to become NASA's oldest active astronaut in orbit and one of its most beloved — a chemical engineer famed for his orbital science demonstrations and astrophotography. Commander Alexei Ovchinin, on his third flight, and Ivan Vagner, returning for his second, completed the crew. The Soyuz reached the station in roughly three hours on an ultra-fast two-orbit rendezvous, docking to the Rassvet module. During the mission a record 19 people were simultaneously in orbit across several spacecraft. After 220 days the trio landed on the Kazakh Steppe on 20 April 2025 — Pettit returning on his 70th birthday.
Crew
Alexei Ovchinin
Commander (Roscosmos) — 3rd spaceflight
Veteran of Soyuz MS-02 and the Soyuz MS-10 launch abort, then Soyuz MS-12.
Ivan Vagner
Flight Engineer (Roscosmos) — 2nd spaceflight
Returning after Soyuz MS-16; logged a second long-duration ISS expedition.
Don Pettit
Flight Engineer (NASA) — 4th spaceflight
Launched aged 69; NASA's oldest active astronaut, renowned for orbital science and astrophotography. Landed on his 70th birthday.
Key Milestones
2024-09
A record 19 people simultaneously in orbit during the mission overlap
2024-09-11
Launch from Baikonur Site 31/6 on a Soyuz-2.1a rocket
2024-09-11
Ultra-fast two-orbit docking to the ISS Rassvet module
2025-04-19
Undocking from the ISS to begin the return to Earth
2025-04-20
Landing on the Kazakh Steppe; Don Pettit returns on his 70th birthday after 220 days
Key Achievements
Carried Don Pettit, NASA's oldest active astronaut, on his fourth spaceflight
Don Pettit returned to Earth on his 70th birthday after 220 days in space
Coincided with a record 19 people simultaneously in orbit
Ultra-fast two-orbit rendezvous and docking to the ISS
