NASA astronaut Jonny Kim launches to ISS aboard Russian spacecraft

On April 8, 2025, a Soyuz rocket carrying NASA astronaut Jonny Kim and two Russian cosmonauts lifted off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The spacecraft, Soyuz MS-27, was launched at 1:47 a.m. EDT and achieved docking with the International Space Station approximately three hours later at 4:57 a.m. EDT. This mission marks Jonny Kim's first flight into space, where he will spend eight months conducting scientific research aboard the ISS, joining the Expedition 72 and 73 crews. His arrival raises the space station's crew count to ten for a temporary period until the scheduled departure of the current crew on April 19. Kim, a former Navy SEAL and Harvard Medical School graduate, expressed that becoming an astronaut fulfilled a long-held dream. Throughout his training, he faced challenges, particularly in learning the Russian language, but developed friendships with his cosmonaut crewmates, Sergey Ryzhikov and Alexey Zubritsky. With Ryzhikov, a veteran commander, at the controls of the spacecraft, the team has emphasized reliability while flying aboard the Russian Soyuz, which has a long history of spaceflight. Kim's mission will involve performing scientific investigations and technology demonstrations aimed at preparing for future space endeavors while benefiting people on Earth. The Soyuz MS-27 mission is significant as it continues the legacy of international cooperation in space exploration, with Kim noting the importance of teamwork at NASA for successful missions. As the deputy commander and flight engineer, Kim will participate in cutting-edge research and potentially engage in spacewalks during his tenure on the ISS. The crew's arrival to the ISS not only enhances scientific research capabilities but also highlights the spirit of collaboration among U.S. and Russian astronauts in the field of space exploration.