Selected for the Roscosmos Cosmonaut Corps in 2018, he stands as the 135th cosmonaut within the organization and a contributor to orbital research operations.
Early Education and Military Service
Born in 1992 in the village of Volodymyrivske, Zubritsky completed his secondary schooling in Zaporizhzhia by 2009. He enrolled at the Ivan Kozhedub National University of the Air Force, graduating in 2013 with a degree in Aviation Unit Operations Management. His military career began in 2013 as a pilot flying MiG-29 and L-39 aircraft. Following various reassignments, he operated the Su-25 attack aircraft as a senior pilot between 2015 and 2018. Upon retiring to the reserves in 2024, he held the rank of Major, a Military Pilot Third Class rating, and accumulated over 500 total flight hours.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Space Station Operations
Zubritsky launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome alongside Sergey Ryzhikov and Jonny Kim. During his time on the International Space Station, he participated in two significant extravehicular activities. On 16 October 2025, he and Ryzhikov performed a 6-hour, 9-minute spacewalk to install the Ekran-M payload on the Nauka module and remove Biorisk containers. A second spacewalk on 28 October lasted 6 hours and 54 minutes, focusing on installing the IPI plasma injector and relocating the ERA control panel. In November 2024, he was appointed as the seventh TASS special correspondent for the station.
Scientific Contributions and Recognition
During the October 2025 missions, orbital operations facilitated the creation of gallium arsenide crystal structures. In addition to technical work, the crew marked the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War by displaying a Victory Banner on 9 May 2025. Following his return to Earth on 9 December 2025, Zubritsky received the NASA Space Flight Medal in 2026. His prior military decorations include the Medal for Distinguished Military Service, awarded in both 3rd and 2nd classes.
Fast facts
- Born: 1992, Volodymyrivske, Ukraine
- Citizenship: Russia, Ukraine
- Military Rank: Major
- Selected as Cosmonaut: 2018
- Spaceflight: Soyuz MS-27
- Expeditions: 72, 73
- Return to Earth: 9 December 2025
- Languages: Russian
Questions readers ask
What military aircraft did Alexey Zubritsky pilot?
He flew the MiG-29 fighter, the L-39 jet trainer, and the Su-25 attack aircraft.
What research did he perform on the space station?
He facilitated the growth of gallium arsenide crystal structures and installed payloads like the IPI plasma injector and Ekran-M.
Achievements
- Affiliated with Roscosmos State Corporation
- Educated at Ivan Kozhedub National University of the Air Force
- Worked as astronaut and aircraft pilot
