Soyuz MS-28 launched from Baikonur Site 31/6 on 27 November 2025, carrying Sergei Mikayev on his first spaceflight. This mission marked his integration into long-term operations aboard the International Space Station, serving as a critical component of Expedition 73/74 before his eventual return to Earth in the summer of 2026.
Military Foundation and Training
Born in 1986 in Irkutsk, Sergei Nikolayevich Mikayev pursued a career path that combined aviation with aerospace operations. He attended the Krasnodar Higher Military School named after General of the Army S. Shtemenko to build his technical background. Following his early training, he entered the Russian cosmonaut program under the authority of Roscosmos. He completed his rigorous instruction at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center located in Star City, Russia, focusing on his dual qualifications as an aircraft pilot and astronaut.
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In 2025, the Russian space agency assigned Mikayev as a reserve crew member for the Soyuz MS-27 mission. Operating as a backup flight engineer, he prepared to support the primary crew consisting of Sergey Ryzhikov, Alexey Zubritsky, and Jonny Kim. This preparation involved ensuring readiness to assume flight duties for the launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, which was scheduled for April 2025 to facilitate ongoing research and maintenance aboard the orbital station.
Expedition 73/74
Following his reserve duties, Mikayev transitioned to a primary flight role. His selection for the Soyuz MS-28 mission facilitated his first extended residency in orbit. As part of Expedition 73/74, he conducted spaceflight operations that occupied him until his return to Earth in the summer of 2026. This deployment represented the continuation of his professional trajectory within the Russian space sector.
Fast facts
- Full name: Sergei Nikolayevich Mikayev
- Born: 15 August 1986, Irkutsk
- Citizenship: Russia
- Primary occupations: Cosmonaut, aircraft pilot
- Education: Krasnodar Higher Military School named after General of the Army S. Shtemenko
- Spaceflight debut: Soyuz MS-28
- Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Site 31/6
Questions readers ask
What was Mikayev's role during the Soyuz MS-27 mission?
He served as the backup flight engineer for the reserve crew.
Which ISS expeditions did he participate in?
He took part in Expedition 73/74.
Achievements
- Recorded as astronaut and aircraft pilot
