June 24, 2019
Categories: ISS, Soyuz

The work of the 59th long expedition is being completed at the International Space Station (ISS).

The crew members of the “Soyuz MS-11” spacecraft – Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko, CSA astronaut David Saint-Jacques and NASA astronaut Anne McClain are preparing to return to Earth.

On June 23 aboard the “shift change” of crews was performed.

The commander of the 59th long expedition to the ISS – cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko, who headed it since December 2018, and the commander of the 60th expedition – cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin signed the report of the transfer of authority.

By tradition, this ceremony is accompanied by strikes on the ship’s bell.

Currently, Oleg Kononenko, David Saint-Jacques and Anne McClain are engaged in preparatory operations for landing.

In the descent vehicle, the crew will bring with them the equipment to be returned and the containers with the results of the scientific experiments.

The closing of the access hatches between the “Soyuz MS-11” and the ISS is scheduled at 23:10 (Moscow time) on June 24, undocking – at 02:25 (Moscow time) on June 25 and landing of the descent vehicle –
at 05:49 (Moscow time) in 148 km south-east of Zhezkazgan (Kazakhstan).

All operations will be broadcast live in the “Online Broadcast” section of the Roscosmos State Corporation website (www.roscosmos.ru).

Work in near-earth orbit will be continued by an international crew, consisting of cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin and astronauts Nick Hague and Christina Koch.

Before the arrival of the “Soyuz MS-13” spacecraft in July 2019, just three crew members will be aboard of the ISS.

More from this category:
March 16, 2014

The day of March 15 started with flag-raising ceremony that has become a longstanding tradition symbolizing formal beginning of final stage of preflight preparation trainings….

full story
April 3, 2014

National Aeronautics and Space Administration Agency (NASA) made a statement officially reporting on cease of cooperation with Russia on a number of joint projects except…

full story
January 30, 2019

On January 28, the RD-180 rocket engine was successfully tested in the Scientific Testing Complex of NPO “Energomash” JSC. According to Andrei Ushkov, the chief…

full story
October 30, 2018

The most important space date of this year is approaching – 20 years of the ISS! Thanks to the crew of the “Soyuz MS-08” spacecraft,…

full story
August 8, 2013

Launches of Russia’s Proton rockets will restart in September, ending a suspension imposed after an accident last month, the head of Russia’s Federal Space Agency said Monday. As…

full story
December 3, 2015

Yesterday, on December 2, 2015, Baikonur say traditional flag-raising ceremony taking place at #17 launchpad in front of “Cosmonaut” hotel. ISS-46/47 mission prime and back-up…

full story
June 25, 2024

Soyuz-2.1a launch vehicles for autumn launches of Soyuz MS-26 and Progress MS-29 have been delivered to Baikonur. The railway train with rocket blocks was accepted…

full story
December 3, 2020

Soyuz-2.1b booster with satellites was successfully launched from Plesetsk launchsite on December 03 at 04.14, Moscow time. Fregat upper stage inserted into the orbit Gonets-M…

full story