Soyuz MS-17 completed its rendezvous with the International Space Station in just three hours and three minutes on 14 October 2020, marking a significant milestone in rapid transit to orbit. Onboard for this flight was Russian cosmonaut Sergey Kud-Sverchkov, whose career as an engineer and space explorer spans over a decade of technical operations and orbital missions.
Early Career and Education
Born in 1983 at Baikonur, Kud-Sverchkov pursued an academic background in rocket engineering at the Bauman Moscow State Technical University. He graduated with honours in 2006. Shortly after completing his formal education, he joined RSC Energia as an engineer. His professional transition toward space flight began in April 2010 when he was officially selected for the Roscosmos cosmonaut corps alongside his colleague Andrei Babkin.
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Following his selection, Kud-Sverchkov underwent two years of intensive training, achieving flight-ready status in August 2012. His preparation for complex space missions included participation in specialized European Space Agency programs. In 2014, he joined the ESA CAVES mission to work with a multinational team including Scott Tingle and Luca Parmitano. He later contributed to the 2018 ESA PANGAEA program, conducting field studies in Germany, Italy, and Spain to refine procedures for identifying geological features on the Moon, Mars, and asteroids.
International Space Station Expeditions
Kud-Sverchkov served as a flight engineer for ISS Expedition 63 and 64, launching on the Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft. During this tenure, he executed a six-hour and forty-eight-minute spacewalk on 18 November 2020 to maintain station equipment and antenna systems. He later performed a manual relocation of his Soyuz craft to accommodate incoming vehicles. He returned to Earth in April 2021. He subsequently served as commander of the ISS during Expeditions 73 and 74 between January and July 2026, having launched on the Soyuz MS-28 mission.
Fast facts
- Born: 1983, Baikonur
- Education: Bauman Moscow State Technical University
- Career Start: RSC Energia, 2006
- Selection: Roscosmos, 2010
- First Spaceflight: Soyuz MS-17, 2020
- ISS Commander: January 2026 to July 2026
- Awards: Awards of Moscow Oblast
Questions readers ask
What is Sergey Kud-Sverchkov's background?
He is an engineer who graduated with honours from the Bauman Moscow State Technical University in 2006 before being selected as a cosmonaut by Roscosmos.
Did he serve as commander of the ISS?
Yes, he served as the commander of the International Space Station from 12 January 2026 to 25 July 2026 during his time on Expeditions 73 and 74.
Achievements
- Educated at Bauman Moscow State Technical University
- Worked as engineer and astronaut
