# Soyuz MS-17

> Russian crewed mission to the ISS

**Wikidata**: [Q60740704](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q60740704)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soyuz_MS-17)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/soyuz-ms-17

## Summary
Soyuz MS-17 was a Russian crewed mission to the International Space Station (ISS), launched on October 14, 2020, as part of the Soyuz programme. It transported three astronauts—Sergey Ryzhikov, Sergey Kud-Sverchkov, and Kathleen Rubins—to the ISS for a six-month expedition, marking a key mission in human spaceflight.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: October 14, 2020, from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31.
- **Crew**: Sergey Ryzhikov (commander), Sergey Kud-Sverchkov (Flight Engineer 1), and Kathleen Rubins (Flight Engineer 2).
- **Duration**: 182 days (266,350 minutes) in low Earth orbit.
- **Spacecraft**: Soyuz MS, the latest revision of the Soyuz spacecraft, launched aboard a Soyuz-2.1a rocket.
- **Docking**: Initially docked at the *Rassvet* module (nadir port) on October 14, 2020, then relocated to the *Poisk* module (zenith port) on March 19, 2021.
- **Landing**: April 17, 2021, at 04:55 UTC in the Kazakh Steppe.
- **Operator**: Roscosmos State Corporation.
- **Call Sign**: "Favor."
- **Backup Crew**: Oleg Novitskiy (commander), Pyotr Dubrov, and Mark T. Vande Hei.
- **Significance**: Part of Expedition 64 to the ISS, contributing to scientific research and station maintenance.

## FAQs
### Q: Who were the crew members of Soyuz MS-17?
A: The mission was crewed by Russian cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov (commander) and Sergey Kud-Sverchkov (Flight Engineer 1), along with NASA astronaut Kathleen Rubins (Flight Engineer 2).

### Q: How long did Soyuz MS-17 stay in space?
A: The mission lasted 182 days, from its launch on October 14, 2020, to its landing on April 17, 2021.

### Q: What rocket launched Soyuz MS-17?
A: The spacecraft was launched aboard a Soyuz-2.1a rocket from Baikonur Cosmodrome.

### Q: Where did Soyuz MS-17 dock on the ISS?
A: It initially docked at the *Rassvet* module’s nadir port and later relocated to the *Poisk* module’s zenith port.

### Q: What was the purpose of Soyuz MS-17?
A: The mission transported crew to the ISS for Expedition 64, supporting scientific experiments, station maintenance, and international collaboration in space.

## Why It Matters
Soyuz MS-17 played a critical role in maintaining continuous human presence on the ISS, facilitating scientific research in microgravity and advancing international cooperation in space exploration. As part of the Soyuz programme, it demonstrated Russia’s reliable crewed spaceflight capabilities, ensuring safe transportation to and from the station. The mission also highlighted the importance of long-duration spaceflight for preparing future deep-space missions, such as those to the Moon and Mars. By delivering a multinational crew, Soyuz MS-17 underscored the collaborative nature of modern space exploration, bridging gaps between nations in the pursuit of scientific discovery.

## Notable For
- **Fastest crewed journey to the ISS**: Docked in just over 3 hours (225 minutes), setting a record for the shortest flight time to the station.
- **First relocation maneuver**: The spacecraft was moved from the *Rassvet* module to the *Poisk* module mid-mission, a rare operational maneuver.
- **Multinational crew**: Included both Russian cosmonauts and a NASA astronaut, emphasizing international partnership.
- **Long-duration mission**: Supported a six-month stay on the ISS, contributing to Expedition 64’s research goals.
- **Backup crew inclusion**: Featured a fully trained backup team, including Mark T. Vande Hei, who later flew on Soyuz MS-18.

## Body
### Mission Overview
Soyuz MS-17 was the 63rd crewed flight of the Soyuz programme and the 145th flight of a Soyuz spacecraft overall. Operated by Roscosmos, it launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome on October 14, 2020, at 05:45:04 UTC, using a Soyuz-2.1a rocket. The mission’s primary objective was to transport three crew members to the ISS for Expedition 64.

### Crew and Roles
- **Sergey Ryzhikov** (Roscosmos): Spacecraft commander, responsible for mission operations.
- **Sergey Kud-Sverchkov** (Roscosmos): Flight Engineer 1, supporting systems management.
- **Kathleen Rubins** (NASA): Flight Engineer 2, conducting scientific experiments.

The backup crew consisted of Oleg Novitskiy (commander), Pyotr Dubrov, and Mark T. Vande Hei, who were prepared to replace the primary crew if necessary.

### Docking and Relocation
Soyuz MS-17 achieved a record-breaking docking time of approximately 3 hours and 3 minutes (225 minutes) after launch, attaching to the *Rassvet* module’s nadir port. On March 19, 2021, the spacecraft was relocated to the *Poisk* module’s zenith port to accommodate other visiting vehicles, a maneuver lasting about 40 minutes.

### Scientific Contributions
During their stay, the crew conducted experiments in biology, physics, and human physiology, leveraging the ISS’s microgravity environment. Rubins, a biologist, focused on DNA sequencing and microbial research, while the cosmonauts performed maintenance and technological demonstrations.

### Return to Earth
The mission concluded on April 17, 2021, with a landing in the Kazakh Steppe at 04:55 UTC. The crew returned with scientific samples and data, contributing to ongoing research on long-duration spaceflight’s effects on the human body.

### Technical Specifications
- **Orbital Inclination**: 51.66 degrees.
- **COSPAR ID**: 2020-072A.
- **NSSDCA ID**: 2020-072A.
- **Manufacturer**: S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia.
- **Launch Contractor**: Progress State Research and Production Rocket Space Center.

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## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report