Who are the astronauts currently in space in 2021?

In 2021, the International Space Station (ISS) maintains a continuous human presence through rotating crews from various international space agencies. The station hosts a mix of professional cosmonauts and astronauts, including Russian crew members Oleg Novitsky and Pyotr Dubrov, who arrived via the Soyuz MS-18 spacecraft. While most occupants are career professionals, the year is notable for the arrival of actress Yulia Peresild and director Klim Shipenko to film the project “Challenge.” These individuals joined the existing Expedition 64/65 crew to conduct specialized filming tasks while maintaining the standard operational requirements of the orbital laboratory.

The Russian Segment and the Nauka Module

The Russian segment undergoes significant expansion this year. Space hardware is heavy. The arrival of the Nauka Multifunctional Laboratory Module requires intensive manual labor because the integration of such a large structure involves complex mechanical and electrical connections that cannot be fully automated. This module provides new internal and external workspaces for scientific research. It is vital. Engineers must ensure that the transition compartment functions correctly so that future docking maneuvers proceed without error.

Oleg Novitsky and Pyotr Dubrov face a demanding schedule. They are busy. On 2 June 2021, the two cosmonauts scheduled an EVA (extravehicular activity) lasting approximately 7 hours to perform essential maintenance on the station’s exterior. This spacewalk includes replacing a water flow regulation panel and installing new scientific equipment. The work is difficult. They must also connect antennas on the transition compartment because the successful launch and integration of the Nauka module depend on these specific hardware configurations.

The crew utilizes specialized tools. They work hard. The European Robotic Arm assists with maintenance tasks by distributing target loads and monitoring the external surface of the ISS while the astronauts remain inside or perform controlled movements. This robotic assistance reduces the physical strain on the crew. It is necessary. Approximately ten additional trips will be required to achieve full functionality of the new systems after the initial installation phase concludes.

The Nauka module is nearly ready. Testing continues. The module currently undergoes its final stage of factory testing before it can be integrated into the station’s permanent architecture. Once operational, the system will allow many tasks to be completed from within the station so that the need for dangerous spacewalks decreases significantly.

Expedition 64 and 65 Crew Compositions

The ISS crew rosters change frequently. People rotate. The primary active crew members for the 64/65 expeditions include a diverse group of seven individuals. This group includes Sergey Ryzhikov, Sergey Kud-Sverchkov, Katya Rubens, Shannon Volker, Victor Glover, Mike Hopkins, and Soichi Nogguchi. They live together. Each member follows a strict schedule because the coordination of scientific experiments and station maintenance requires precise timing between different national modules.

New arrivals are expected soon. The schedule is tight. Raja Chari, Thomas Marshburn, and Matthias Maurer are preparing for their arrival on 17 October 2021. They bring new expertise. These astronauts will contribute to the ongoing research programs while they reside in the microgravity environment of the orbital laboratory.

The crew’s demographics have shifted recently. Experience matters. Unlike some previous missions that prioritized younger specialists, the current group includes many mature, experienced individuals who have handled complex orbital operations for many years. This stability helps the station. The team manages various biological and physical experiments because the ISS serves as a unique platform for studying how human physiology reacts to long-term weightlessness.

The rotation follows strict protocols. Safety is first. NASA and Roscosmos coordinate these transitions through specific launch windows at the Baikonur Cosmodrome and Kennedy Space Center.

The “Challenge” Film Mission

A film crew entered orbit. This is new. Actress Yulia Peresild and director Klim Shipenko arrived at the ISS on 5 October 2021 to begin production on the feature film “Challenge.” They are professionals. Although they are not career cosmonauts, they underwent several months of intensive training so that they could operate safely within the station’s cramped and highly technical environment.

Anton Shkaplerov leads the flight. He is a pilot. During the docking of the Soyuz MS-19, the automatic “Kurs” rendezvous system experienced two consecutive failures. Shkaplerov had to switch to manual control because the mission required immediate intervention to avoid potential risks during the approach to the station. The director and actress provided assistance using tablets during this critical phase.

The project costs a lot. It is expensive. Reports from Readovka suggest the production budget reaches 2 billion rubles for the filming process. This investment covers the specialized training, the launch costs, and the logistical support required to sustain a film crew in space. The mission is controversial. Some critics argue that these resources should focus on traditional scientific research although the project aims to increase public interest in space exploration.

The crew eats specific food. Nutrition is key. Alexander Agureev from the Institute of Medical and Biological Problems notes that the film crew consumes the same meals as the professional astronauts. On their first day, they ate borscht with meat and “Borodinsky” bread. They also received fresh oranges and apples through the Soyuz MS-19 supply shipment.

The mission is short. It lasts 12 days. Peresild and Shipenko will return to Earth on the Soyuz MS-18 spacecraft alongside Oleg Novitsky after they complete their filming objectives.

Logistics of Return and Quarantine

Returning to Earth is hard. Gravity returns. When the Soyuz descent vehicle re-enters the atmosphere, the occupants experience up to 4g of force during the deceleration process. This physical stress requires significant training. The crew must be prepared for the intense pressure because the transition from microgravity to a high-G environment can cause physiological disorientation.

The landing site is remote. It is dusty. In recent returns, such as that of Oleg Skripochka, Andrew Morgan, and Jessica Meir, the capsule made a sideways landing on the Kazakh steppe. This type of landing is considered normal by rescue teams. It facilitates the evacuation process because the crew members have spent over 200 days in space and must adapt to Earth’s gravity during extraction.

Medical safety is paramount. COVID-19 changed things. During the 2021 return cycles, search and rescue teams wore masks and gloves to prevent any infection from reaching the returning astronauts. The Federal Medical and Biological Agency of Russia implemented strict testing protocols for all personnel in the Kyzyl-Orda region. This was necessary because the area had been heavily affected by the pandemic.

Rescuers move quickly. They use vehicles. After the capsule is stabilized, teams use “Blue Bird” all-terrain vehicles to transport the crew to medical tents. These vehicles undergo thorough disinfection with alcohol before every mission. The process is fast. Medical professionals must act within minutes of touchdown so that the astronauts receive immediate care after their long journey.

The transition is complete. They are home. Once the crew reaches the designated medical facility, they begin a period of recovery and observation to ensure their health remains stable after the flight.

Training and Professional Development

Becoming a cosmonaut takes time. It is slow. The journey from initial selection to an inaugural spaceflight typically spans nine to ten years. This duration exists because the training requirements are extremely rigorous. Candidates must master the technical specifics of the Russian segment while also undergoing survival training in various harsh environments on Earth.

The training is divided into stages. It is structured. After completing a two-year initial program, certified cosmonauts enter a five-year period of intensive group training. They study module simulators located in Europe and the United States to prepare for every possible contingency. This preparation ensures that they can handle malfunctions during flight.

New recruits face competition. The numbers are low. Only 10 to 15 individuals typically reach orbit each year, with Russia contributing approximately five or six members to the total global count. Most of these professionals were former pilots. However, the selection process now includes individuals from diverse technical fields so that the crew possesses a wider range of scientific expertise.

The first flight is a test. It is vital. A rookie cosmonaut’s first mission serves as a stepping stone because true proficiency in microgravity can only be achieved through direct, hands-on experience in orbit. Experienced commanders are almost always paired with newcomers to ensure mission success and safety.

The professional standard remains high. They train daily. Whether they are installing the Nauka module or conducting biological experiments, the crew’s performance depends on years of disciplined preparation and technical mastery.