Hubbry Logo
Expedition 70Expedition 70Main
Open search
Expedition 70
Community hub
Expedition 70
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Expedition 70
Expedition 70
Expedition 70
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia
Expedition 70
Promotional Poster
Mission typeLong-duration expedition
OperatorNASA / Roscosmos
Mission duration191 days and 20 hours
Expedition
Space stationInternational Space Station
Began27 September 2023[1]
Ended6 April 2024
Arrived aboardSoyuz MS-24
SpaceX Crew-7
Soyuz MS-25
SpaceX Crew-8
Departed aboardSoyuz MS-24
SpaceX Crew-7
Crew
Crew size7–11
Members
EVAs2
EVA duration14 hours 23 minutes

Mission patch

Top row, from left: Chub, Borisov, Kononenko, Furukawa, and O'Hara
Bottom row: Mogensen and Moghbeli
Oleg Kononenko (orange t-shirt) along with his other Expedition 70 crew members (red t-shirts) and Axiom Mission 3 crew (black jumpsuits)

Expedition 70 was the 70th long-duration expedition to the International Space Station. The expedition began with the departure of Soyuz MS-23 on 27 September 2023[2][3][4] with Danish astronaut Andreas Mogensen taking over the ISS command. It ended with the departure of Soyuz MS-24 on 6 April 2024.[5]

Background, Crew and Events

[edit]

Initially, the expedition consisted of Andreas and his three SpaceX Crew-7 crewmates, Jasmin Moghbeli, Satoshi Furukawa, and Konstantin Borisov from America, Japan, and Russia respectively, as well as Russian cosmonauts Oleg Kononenko (who later assumed the ISS command) and Nikolai Chub (both on a year long ISS mission), and another American astronaut Loral O'Hara, who launched aboard Soyuz MS-24 on September 15, 2023 and were transferred from Expedition 69 alongside the SpaceX Crew-7 astronauts.[6]

However, even after several months of outfitting EVAs and RTOd heat radiator installation, six months later on 9 October 2023, the Nauka RTOd radiator malfunctioned before active use of Nauka (the purpose of RTOd installation is to radiate heat from Nauka experiments). The malfunction, a leak, rendered the RTOd radiator unusable for Nauka. This is the third ISS radiator leak after Soyuz MS-22 and Progress MS-21 radiator leaks. If a spare RTOd is not available, Nauka experiments will have to rely on Nauka's main launch radiator and the module could never be utilized to its full capacity.[7][8]

The crew was later replenished by subsequent crew rotation missions in the expedition, SpaceX Crew-8, consisting of American astronauts Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt, Jeanette Epps, and Russian cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin, and Soyuz MS-25, consisting of Russian cosmonaut Oleg Novitsky, Belarusian space tourist Marina Vasilevskaya, and American astronaut Tracy Caldwell-Dyson.[5] Originally, the Boeing Starliner Crewed Flight Test was supposed to dock during the expedition. Instead, it was again moved farther down the vehicle schedule to May during Expedition 71.[9] The space station was also visited by a non-expedition crew, Axiom Mission 3, consisting of former NASA astronaut Michael López-Alegría (who previously commanded the station during Expedition 14), Italian astronaut Walter Villadei, ESA Swedish Project astronaut Marcus Wandt, and Turkish astronaut Alper Gezeravcı.

Events manifest

[edit]

Events involving crewed spacecraft are listed in bold.

Previous mission: Expedition 69

27 September 2023 – Soyuz MS-23 undocking, official switch from Expedition 69

9 October 2023 – Nauka outfitting RtoD Add-on Heat Radiator Leak Event

25/26 October 2023 – EVA 1 (VKD-61) Kononenko/Chub: 7 hrs, 41 mins[10]

1 November 2023 – EVA 2 (US-89) Moghbeli/O'Hara: 6 hrs, 42 mins[11]

11 November 2023 – CRS SpX-29 docking

29 November 2023 – Progress MS-23/84P undocking

3 December 2023 – Progress MS-25/86P docking

21 December 2023 – CRS SpX-29 undocking

22 December 2023 – CRS NG-19 unberthing and release

20 January 2024 – Axiom Mission 3 docking (non-Expedition crew)

1 February 2024 – CRS Cygnus NG-20 capture and berthing

7 February 2024 – Axiom Mission 3 undocking (non-Expedition crew)

13 February 2024 – Progress MS-24/85P undocking

17 February 2024 – Progress MS-26/87P docking[12]

5 March 2024 – SpaceX Crew-8 docking[13]

10 March 2024 – ISS Expedition 70 change of command ceremony from Andreas Mogensen to Oleg Kononenko

11 March 2024 – SpaceX Crew-7 undocking

23 March 2024 – CRS SpX-30 docking

25 March 2024 – Soyuz MS-25 docking (Expedition 70/71 & ISS EP-21)

29 March 2024 – Kononenko and Chub's seat liner from Soyuz MS-24 swapped with Novitsky and Vasilevskaya's seat liner from Soyuz MS-25 for MS-24 landing[14]

6 April 2024 – Soyuz MS-24 undocking, official switch to Expedition 71

Next: Expedition 71

Sources:[12][5][15]

Crew

[edit]
Flight[5] Astronaut Increment 70a Increment 70b Increment 70c Increment 70d
27 Sep 2023 - 5 Mar 2024 5 - 11 Mar 2024 11 - 25 Mar 2024 25 Mar - 6 Apr 2024
Soyuz MS-24 Russia Oleg Kononenko, Roscosmos
Fifth spaceflight 		Flight engineer Commander[16]
Russia Nikolai Chub, Roscosmos
First spaceflight 		Flight engineer
United States Loral O'Hara, NASA
First spaceflight 		Flight engineer
SpaceX Crew-7 United States Jasmin Moghbeli, NASA
First spaceflight 		Flight engineer Off station
Denmark Andreas Mogensen, ESA
Second spaceflight 		Commander Off station
Japan Satoshi Furukawa, JAXA
Second spaceflight 		Flight engineer Off station
Russia Konstantin Borisov, Roscosmos
First spaceflight 		Flight engineer Off station
SpaceX Crew-8 United States Matthew Dominick, NASA
First spaceflight 		Off station Flight engineer
United States Michael Barratt, NASA
Third spaceflight 		Off station Flight engineer
United States Jeanette Epps, NASA
Only spaceflight 		Off station Flight engineer
Russia Alexander Grebenkin, Roscosmos
First spaceflight 		Off station Flight engineer
Soyuz MS-25 United States Tracy Caldwell-Dyson, NASA
Third spaceflight 		Off station Flight engineer

Besides the expedition crew, Crew Dragon visited the station, carrying Axiom Mission 3, consisting of Michael López-Alegría of Axiom Space (formerly NASA), Walter Villadei of the Italian Ministry of Defence, Alper Gezeravcı of the Turkish Space Agency, and Marcus Wandt of the Swedish National Space Agency.[17]

The Soyuz MS-25 vehicle carried expedition member Tracy Caldwell-Dyson and visitors Oleg Novitsky of Roscosmos and Marina Vasilevskaya, a flight attendant trained by the Belarus Space Agency for ISS EP-21. One week after docking, Novitsky and Vasilevskaya returned with expedition member Loral O'Hara on the Soyuz MS-24 vehicle. Meanwhile, Kononenko and Chub, who launched on MS-24, returned on the MS-25 vehicle.[5]

Vehicle manifest

[edit]

For the first time, during 25 March–6 April 2024, all seven currently active ports of ISS were occupied.[18]

Vehicle[5] Purpose Port Docking/capture date Undocking date
Vehicles inherited from Expedition 69
Russia Progress MS-23/84P Cargo Poisk zenith 24 May 2023 29 Nov 2023
United States CRS NG-19 Cargo Unity nadir 4 Aug 2023 22 Dec 2023
Russia Progress MS-24/85P Cargo Zvezda aft 25 Aug 2023 13 Feb 2024
United States SpaceX Crew-7 "Endurance" Exp. 69/70 crew Harmony zenith 27 Aug 2023 11 Mar 2024
Russia Soyuz MS-24/70S "Antares" Exp. 69/70 crew Rassvet nadir 15 Sep 2023 6 Apr 2024
Vehicles docked during Expedition 70
United States CRS SpX-29 Cargo Harmony forward 11 Nov 2023 21 Dec 2023
Russia Progress MS-25/86P Cargo Poisk zenith 3 Dec 2023 28 May 2024 (Exp. 71)
United States Ax-3 "Freedom" Visiting commercial mission Harmony forward 20 Jan 2024 7 Feb 2024
United States CRS NG-20 Cargo Unity nadir 1 Feb 2024 12 Jul 2024 (Exp. 71)
Russia Progress MS-26/87P Cargo Zvezda aft 17 Feb 2024 13 Aug 2024 (Exp. 71)
United States SpaceX Crew-8 "Endeavour" Exp. 70/71/72 crew Harmony forward 5 Mar 2024 23 Oct 2024 (Exp. 72)
United States CRS SpX-30 Cargo Harmony zenith 23 Mar 2024 28 Apr 2024 (Exp. 71)
Russia Soyuz MS-25/71S "Kazbek" Exp. 70/71 crew, Visiting Expedition 21 Prichal nadir 25 Mar 2024 23 Sep 2024 (Exp. 71)
Segment United States U.S. Orbital Segment Russia Russian Orbital Segment
Period Harmony forward Harmony zenith Harmony nadir Unity nadir Rassvet nadir Prichal nadir Poisk zenith Zvezda aft
27 Sep–11 Nov 2023 Vacant SpaceX Crew-7 Vacant CRS NG-19 Soyuz MS-24 Vacant Progress MS-23 Progress MS-24
11–29 Nov 2023 CRS SpX-29
29 Nov–3 Dec 2023 Vacant
3–21 Dec 2023 Progress MS-25
21–22 Dec 2023 Vacant
22 Dec 2023–20 Jan 2024 Vacant
20 Jan–1 Feb 2024 Ax-3
1–7 Feb 2024 CRS NG-20
7–13 Feb 2024 Vacant
13–17 Feb 2024 Vacant
17 Feb–5 Mar 2024 Progress MS-26
5–11 Mar 2024 SpaceX Crew-8
11–23 Mar 2024 Vacant
23–25 Mar 2024 CRS SpX-30
25 Mar–6 Apr 2024 Soyuz MS-25

The Prichal aft, forward, starboard, and aft ports all have yet to be used since the module originally docked to the station and are not included in the table.

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Expedition 70

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Expedition 70 was the 70th long-duration expedition to the (ISS), beginning on September 27, 2023, with the undocking of and handover from , and concluding on April 5, 2024, with the undocking of Soyuz MS-24. The mission involved a multinational crew of seven primary members, including Commander from the (ESA), NASA Flight Engineers and Loral O’Hara, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) Flight Engineer , and Flight Engineers , , and . During their approximately six-month stay in , the crew focused on advancing through microgravity research, operational maintenance, and international collaboration. The expedition's scientific program was extensive, encompassing 286 experiments across diverse fields such as heart health monitoring, development, and innovative techniques. Key investigations included studies on aging processes, atmospheric phenomena, and cellular behavior in microgravity, contributing to broader knowledge for future long-duration missions like those to Mars. The crew also received five cargo resupply missions, delivering thousands of pounds of scientific payloads, hardware, and supplies to support ongoing operations and research. Notable achievements included two extravehicular activities (EVAs): one on October 25, 2023, lasting 7 hours and 41 minutes by Kononenko and Chub to install and inspect hardware, and another on November 1, 2023, lasting 6 hours and 42 minutes by Moghbeli and O’Hara for similar tasks. Expedition 70 hosted the Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3) private crew in January–February 2024, marking the first such mission with all non-NASA astronauts, and welcomed Belarusian spaceflight participant Marina Vasilevskaya via Soyuz MS-25 in March 2024, the first female from her country to reach orbit. Additionally, the crew performed the first simulated robotic surgery on tissue in space, advancing telemedicine capabilities for deep-space exploration. These efforts underscored the ISS's role as a unique laboratory for global scientific progress.

Background

Mission Context

Expedition 70 marked the 70th long-duration expedition to the (ISS), beginning on September 27, 2023, immediately after the undocking of the spacecraft and the completion of handover procedures from the preceding Expedition 69. This transition ensured continuity in station operations, with the incoming crew assuming responsibilities for maintenance, scientific research, and international collaboration aboard the orbital laboratory. The expedition spanned 191 days, officially concluding on April 5, 2024, when undocked from the ISS, carrying three crew members back to Earth and initiating Expedition 71. This duration encompassed a range of activities, including adaptations to fluctuating crew compositions due to visiting missions. Amid ongoing international partnership on the ISS, Expedition 70 navigated challenges within the , particularly stemming from a leak in the spacecraft on December 14, 2022, which rendered it unusable for crew return and prompted the unmanned launch of its replacement, , on February 23, 2023. These anomalies highlighted the complexities of joint operations between , , ESA, , and CSA, yet the mission proceeded with robust coordination. The crew size reached a peak of 11 during the overlap with the short-term visitors in January 2024 and the arrival of the long-duration rotation crew in March 2024. On March 10, 2024, command of the ISS transferred from ESA astronaut to Roscosmos cosmonaut during a formal , shortly before the splashdown of NASA's on March 12. This handover reflected the expedition's emphasis on seamless leadership transitions to support uninterrupted scientific and operational goals.

Objectives and Preparation

The primary objectives of Expedition 70 centered on advancing scientific research in microgravity, with the crew conducting 286 experiments focused on human health, , and technology demonstrations. Key areas included investigations into heart health to understand cardiovascular changes in space, cancer therapies to test potential treatments unaffected by Earth's gravity, and manufacturing techniques to produce advanced materials like fiber optics and pharmaceuticals in orbit. These efforts aimed to provide insights for long-duration and Earth-based applications, such as improved diagnostics and . Preparation for the mission involved rigorous training for the multinational crew at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, and Russia's Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, near Moscow. NASA astronauts and international partners underwent simulations for SpaceX Crew Dragon operations, including docking, rendezvous, and emergency egress procedures, while Russian cosmonauts focused on Soyuz spacecraft handling and integrated training sessions emphasized experiment setup, microgravity safety protocols, and station systems management. This dual-location approach ensured proficiency in both U.S. and Russian hardware, with joint exercises covering contingency scenarios like fire suppression and depressurization. The expedition integrated commercial partners to enhance operational flexibility and research capacity, notably SpaceX's Crew-7 mission, which delivered four crew members aboard the on August 27, 2023, to join the station's core team and support ongoing objectives. Additionally, Axiom Space's Mission 3, a private flight, docked on January 20, 2024, allowing the Expedition 70 crew to collaborate on supplementary experiments and maintenance tasks during the visitors' 18-day stay, fostering public-private synergies in space utilization. Handover procedures from transitioned seamlessly following the undocking of on September 27, 2023, at 3:54 a.m. EDT, marking the official start of Expedition 70 with seven crew members aboard. This process included detailed inventory checks of station resources, verification of systems, and briefings on ongoing experiments to ensure continuity, conducted by overlapping crews prior to the departure of the previous expedition's members.

Crew

Core Crew Members

The core crew of Expedition 70 consisted of seven long-duration astronauts and cosmonauts from , ESA, , and , who maintained continuous habitation and operations on the from September 27, 2023, to April 5, 2024. This seven-member configuration resulted from the staggered arrivals of two primary crews: the mission, which delivered four members in August 2023, and the spacecraft, which brought three more in September 2023. The team conducted over 200 scientific investigations, station maintenance, and vehicle integrations, with roles emphasizing leadership, engineering support, and research across international segments. Andreas Mogensen, representing the European Space Agency (ESA) from Denmark, served as the initial commander of Expedition 70, providing overall leadership for station operations until the change-of-command ceremony on March 11, 2024. As the first Danish astronaut to command the ISS, Mogensen oversaw crew coordination, mission planning, and international collaborations during his second spaceflight, logging a total of 209 days in space across his career. Jasmin Moghbeli, a NASA astronaut from the United States, acted as flight engineer for Expedition 70 while commanding the SpaceX Crew-7 mission, with a primary focus on U.S. Orbital Segment operations, including hardware installations and scientific payloads. On her first spaceflight, Moghbeli contributed to human health studies and station maintenance, logging 199 days in space. She co-led the fourth all-female spacewalk in history on November 1, 2023, alongside Loral O'Hara, performing tasks to upgrade communication systems and lasting 6 hours and 42 minutes. Satoshi Furukawa, from the Aerospace Exploration Agency (), served as a , specializing in operations and oversight of Japanese Experiment Module experiments, such as microgravity fluid physics and biological research. During his second , Furukawa supported Canadarm2 robotic maneuvers and international integrations, accumulating 366 days in space across his career. Konstantin Borisov, a Roscosmos cosmonaut from Russia on his first spaceflight, functioned as a flight engineer, providing support for the Russian Orbital Segment, including life support systems and cargo transfers. Borisov assisted in docking operations and routine maintenance, contributing to the crew's 199-day mission duration. Oleg Kononenko, a veteran Roscosmos cosmonaut from Russia, assumed command of the ISS on March 11, 2024, leading the remaining Expedition 70 operations until its conclusion; he and Nikolai Chub continued their mission into Expedition 71, returning in September 2024. On his fifth spaceflight, Kononenko broke the world record for cumulative time in space, surpassing 1,000 days by June 2024, while managing cosmonaut training simulations and segment-specific experiments. Nikolai Chub, a cosmonaut from making his debut flight, served as a , focusing on maintenance tasks such as fluid system checks and external inspections. Chub supported Russian segment hardware and participated in crew health monitoring during his 374-day mission. Loral O'Hara, a from the , acted as and lead for human research investigations, including studies on immune function and cardiovascular effects of microgravity. On her first , O'Hara contributed to dozens of experiments and technology demonstrations, spending 204 days in orbit and performing her inaugural spacewalk with Moghbeli.

Associated Launch Crews

The Associated Launch Crews for Expedition 70 consisted of short-duration visitors who docked with the (ISS) during the expedition's timeframe, providing temporary overlaps for operational handovers, collaborative research, and station familiarization. These crews included private astronauts from and relief personnel from and , distinct from the long-term Expedition 70 residents. Their contributions emphasized joint activities such as handover training, shared experiments in microgravity science, and guided tours of ISS modules to support seamless transitions. Axiom Mission 3 (Ax-3), a private commercial spaceflight chartered by Axiom Space and launched aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, docked to the ISS on January 20, 2024, marking the first all-European private crew to visit the station. The four-member crew was commanded by Michael López-Alegría, a veteran NASA astronaut and Axiom Space executive of U.S. and Spanish nationality; piloted by Italian Air Force Colonel Walter Villadei; and included mission specialists Alper Gezeravcı, Turkey's first astronaut, and Marcus Wandt, a Swedish project astronaut with the European Space Agency (ESA). During their approximately two-week stay, which undocked on February 7, 2024, the Ax-3 team focused on over 30 commercial research experiments in areas like human health, biotechnology, and Earth observation, often in collaboration with Expedition 70 members who provided logistical support and shared facilities. This overlap facilitated station tours and joint operations, enhancing the expedition's research output without extending into core crew duties. NASA's SpaceX Crew-8 mission arrived at the ISS on March 5, 2024, via the , introducing a relief crew that overlapped with Expedition 70 for several days to conduct handover procedures before transitioning into Expedition 71. The crew comprised Commander , Pilot Michael Barratt, Mission Specialist , and Mission Specialist Alexander Grebenkin. This short-duration integration period involved training sessions on ISS systems, joint execution of ongoing experiments in fluid physics and plant biology, and preparation for the departure of outgoing Expedition 70 members, ensuring continuity in station operations. The astronauts' brief presence underscored NASA's rotational model for long-duration missions, with their activities limited to transitional support rather than full expedition residency. Soyuz MS-25, launched by , docked to the ISS on March 25, 2024, delivering a trio for a brief overlap that supported research continuity and return preparations amid Expedition 70's final phase. The crew included Flight Engineer Tracy C. Dyson, who remained aboard for an extended six-month stay into Expedition 71; Commander Oleg Novitskiy; and Belarusian spaceflight participant Marina Vasilevskaya, the first Belarusian to visit the ISS since 2017. Novitskiy and Vasilevskaya's short visit, ending with their return on in early April 2024, focused on collaborative experiments in biological sciences and materials testing, alongside handover briefings and station orientation provided by Expedition 70 personnel. Dyson's integration during this period aided in return vehicle preparations and joint tasks, bridging the expeditions while highlighting international partnerships in crew rotations.

Vehicles and Logistics

Crewed Spacecraft

The crewed spacecraft for Expedition 70 primarily consisted of the SpaceX Crew Dragon from the Crew-7 mission and two Soyuz vehicles, MS-24 and MS-25, which facilitated crew rotations to and from the International Space Station (ISS). These vehicles ensured continuous human presence and operational flexibility across the station's U.S. and Russian segments. The SpaceX Crew Dragon Resilience, designated as Crew-7, launched on August 26, 2023, at 3:27 a.m. EDT from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, aboard a Falcon 9 rocket. It successfully docked autonomously to the forward port of the Harmony module on the U.S. Orbital Segment at 9:16 a.m. EDT on August 27, 2023, after a 29-hour free-flight period. This docking marked the arrival of key personnel for the early phase of Expedition 70, with the Dragon serving as a lifeboat and enabling U.S. segment operations, including support for the station's Quest airlock used in extravehicular activities. Notably, the Crew-7 Dragon's integration facilitated the fourth all-female spacewalk in history on November 1, 2023, by providing crew transport and alignment with U.S. segment infrastructure. The vehicle undocked from Harmony at 11:20 a.m. EDT on March 11, 2024, and splashed down off the coast of Tallahassee, Florida, at 10:37 p.m. EDT on March 12, 2024, completing a 199-day mission. Soyuz MS-24 launched on September 15, 2023, at 11:44 a.m. EDT (15:44 UTC) from Site 31 at the in , atop a Soyuz-2.1a , and docked directly to the Rassvet nadir on the approximately three hours later at 2:53 p.m. EDT. This rapid rendezvous capability highlighted the Soyuz's role in providing reliable access to the Russian segment for maintenance and experiments. The spacecraft remained docked until undocking on April 5, 2024, at 11:54 p.m. EDT, followed by a nominal landing at 7:48 a.m. EDT on April 6, 2024, in the steppe of southeast of Dzhezkazgan, returning three crew members after contributing to Expedition 70's handover to the subsequent expedition. Soyuz MS-25 launched on March 23, 2024, at 8:36 a.m. EDT from , executing a two-day rendezvous profile, and docked to the Prichal at 2:02 p.m. EDT on , 2024. This arrival supported the late-stage rotations for Expedition 70, ensuring continuity into Expedition 71, with the Soyuz providing essential lifeboat functionality and access to Russian segment resources like the Poisk and Rassvet modules. The vehicle later undocked on September 23, 2024, at 4:36 a.m. EDT for post-expedition returns, landing safely at 7:59 a.m. EDT that day.

Cargo Resupply Missions

The cargo resupply missions for Expedition 70 consisted of five uncrewed flights that delivered essential supplies, propellants, and scientific payloads to the , ensuring the crew's sustenance and support for ongoing research activities. These missions, operated by , , and , collectively transported thousands of pounds of food, fuel, , equipment, and experiment hardware, while also facilitating the removal of and completed samples. By maintaining station , they enabled seamless operations amid the expedition's focus on human health, , and . The first resupply arrived via SpaceX's Cargo Dragon on its 29th Commercial Resupply Services mission (CRS-29), launched on November 9, 2023, and docking shortly thereafter. This spacecraft carried over 6,500 pounds of cargo, including crew provisions, vehicle hardware, and science payloads dedicated to advanced manufacturing techniques, such as fiber optic production in microgravity. These deliveries bolstered the expedition's experimental capabilities without interrupting crew schedules. Roscosmos' Progress MS-25, launched in December 2023, provided critical Russian-segment support with approximately 2,500 kilograms of cargo, comprising food, fuel for station reboosting, drinking water, and hardware for experiments. This mission emphasized propellant delivery and spares to sustain propulsion systems, aligning with the expedition's need for reliable orbital maintenance. Northrop Grumman's Cygnus NG-20, launched in January 2024, delivered more than 8,200 pounds of supplies as part of the 20th Commercial Resupply Services mission, featuring environmental monitoring equipment, crew sustenance items, and over 20 science investigations. Notable payloads included gear for 3D metal printing and optical fiber manufacturing, which integrated directly into Expedition 70's research on space-based production methods. The subsequent Progress MS-26, launched in February 2024, transported about 2,518 kilograms of cargo, including 580 kilograms of propellant, 420 kilograms of water, and 1,478 kilograms of equipment and spares for Russian systems. This resupply focused on refueling and component replacements, ensuring continued functionality of and infrastructure. Concluding the series, SpaceX's CRS-30 Cargo Dragon launched in March 2024, carrying over 5,800 pounds of final supplies such as food, science hardware, and items for return to , including experiment samples and waste. This mission provided timely logistics ahead of the Crew-7 , totaling thousands of pounds of materials that supported the expedition's scientific objectives.

Mission Operations

Timeline of Major Events

Expedition 70 commenced on September 27, 2023, following the undocking of the spacecraft carrying Frank Rubio and cosmonauts Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitri Petelin, marking the departure of the final members. At that moment, the station's crew transitioned to seven members under the command of ESA : Jasmin and , , and cosmonauts , , and . This configuration resulted from the earlier docking of on September 15, 2023, which had brought O'Hara, Kononenko, and Chub to the station, integrating with the existing Crew-7 members (, , , and ). On October 9, 2023, a leak was detected from the backup radiator on the Nauka multipurpose laboratory module, prompting to confirm the issue while the primary radiator continued normal operations without impacting crew safety or station functions. The leak ceased shortly thereafter, and subsequent spacewalks in late October inspected the affected hardware. The crew size temporarily increased to nine on January 20, 2024, with the autonomous docking of the spacecraft carrying the private astronauts: commander , pilot , and mission specialists Alper Gezeravcı and . undocked on February 7, 2024, returning the four visitors to Earth via a off the coast and restoring the core crew to seven. On March 5, 2024, docked with four new arrivals— astronauts , Michael Barratt, and , along with cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin—expanding the onboard population to a peak of 11 for joint operations. This influx supported handover activities before the undocking of on March 11, 2024, which carried Moghbeli, Mogensen, Furukawa, and Borisov back to a in the on March 12, reducing the crew to seven and transferring command to Kononenko as the mission transitioned toward Expedition 71 preparations. Soyuz MS-25 launched on March 23, 2024, from carrying astronaut Tracy C. Dyson, cosmonaut Oleg Novitskiy, and Belarusian spaceflight participant Marina Vasilevskaya, docking successfully to the Prichal module on March 25 and briefly increasing the crew to 10. The expedition concluded on April 6, 2024, with the undocking and landing of , returning O'Hara, along with short-term visitors Novitskiy and Vasilevskaya (who had arrived via MS-25), to on the Kazakh steppe. Throughout the mission, the crew conducted two spacewalks, including one on October 25, 2023, by Kononenko and Chub to inspect the Nauka radiator, and another in November 2023 focused on maintenance and hardware installations.

Spacewalks

During Expedition 70, two extravehicular activities (EVAs) were conducted to support maintenance and scientific preparations on the (ISS). These spacewalks involved crews from both and , focusing on hardware installations, inspections, and equipment upgrades on the station's Russian and U.S. segments. The first EVA occurred on October 25–26, 2023, led by cosmonauts and . Beginning at 1:49 p.m. EDT and concluding at 9:30 p.m. EDT, the spacewalk lasted 7 hours and 41 minutes. The primary objectives included installing a synthetic communications system and related hardware on the Russian segment, as well as inspecting and preparing components on the Nauka multipurpose laboratory module, such as examining a for a potential leak. Kononenko, serving as the lead spacewalker, and Chub successfully completed these tasks, which enhanced connectivity and addressed ongoing module integration issues. The second EVA took place on November 1, 2023, featuring NASA astronauts Jasmin Moghbeli and Loral O'Hara, marking the second all-female spacewalk in ISS history. Starting at 8:05 a.m. EDT from the Quest airlock and ending at 2:47 p.m. EDT, it spanned 6 hours and 42 minutes. Moghbeli, extravehicular crewmate 1, and O'Hara, extravehicular crewmate 2, focused on installing and stowing communications equipment on the station's S1 truss, including the removal of a radio unit and preparation for a replacement. They also collected external microbial samples from the vicinity of the airlock to support contamination studies. Despite challenges with stubborn bolts, the duo accomplished the core objectives, advancing station upgrades. Together, these EVAs accumulated 14 hours and 23 minutes of extravehicular time, with no additional spacewalks occurring during the remainder of Expedition 70 due to impending crew rotations and mission priorities.

Research and Experiments

Key Scientific Investigations

During Expedition 70, which spanned from September 2023 to April 2024, the crew conducted a total of 286 scientific experiments and technology demonstrations aboard the (ISS), advancing knowledge in human health, , , and other fields by leveraging the unique microgravity environment. The members alone contributed to over 200 of these investigations, utilizing specialized facilities across the ISS modules to study phenomena unattainable on . These experiments focused on microgravity's effects on biological processes, , and material formation, with setups often involving gloveboxes, incubators, and automated hardware to maintain sterile conditions and precise controls. Human health studies were a major emphasis, particularly investigations into cardiovascular and ocular adaptations to . One key experiment involved modeling heart tissue using techniques in the BioFabrication Facility, where engineered heart tissues derived from induced pluripotent stem cells were cultured to observe microgravity-induced changes in contractility and structure, providing insights into disease mechanisms like and potential therapeutic interventions. Complementing this, research on spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS) employed venoconstrictive thigh cuffs to simulate partial gravity effects on fluid shifts, with crew members wearing the cuffs during sessions to monitor intraocular pressure and optic disc swelling via and tonometry, aiming to develop countermeasures against vision impairment. These setups highlighted microgravity's role in cephalad fluid migration, which exacerbates cardiovascular strain and ocular changes not replicable in ground-based analogs. In , experiments examined cellular responses to microgravity, including growth analysis and microbial adaptation. Crew members cultured s in the Kermit and other bioreactors to assess how reduced alters proliferation, , and , using live to track 3D formation that mimics tumor microenvironments more accurately than 2D cultures. Additionally, during extravehicular activities (EVAs), astronauts performed microbial swabbing on spacesuit exteriors and ISS surfaces to collect samples for genetic sequencing, investigating how microbes adapt to extreme conditions like vacuum exposure and , with swabs processed in the Life Science to identify shifts in community composition and potential. This approach revealed microgravity's influence on formation and resistance, unique to the orbital setting. Materials science investigations capitalized on microgravity's ability to eliminate and , enabling purer material synthesis. efforts included producing fiber optic cables from glass in the Microgravity Science Glovebox, where crew heated and drew preforms into fibers under controlled thermal gradients, yielding defect-free structures with superior infrared transmission compared to ground-produced counterparts. Alloy development experiments explored metal solidification, though specifics focused on broader in-space production techniques for high-performance materials. Fluid physics studies featured the Flow Boiling and Condensation Experiment (FBCE) in the Fluids Integrated Rack, using transparent test sections to visualize regimes with refrigerants, quantifying coefficients without buoyancy-driven instabilities that dominate terrestrial boiling. These setups provided on efficient thermal management for future . International contributions enriched the research portfolio, with facilities like the European Columbus laboratory hosting the Lumina instrument for real-time detection. This fiber-optic dosimeter, installed by crew members, measured dose rates and particle spectra across the module using radiosensitive fibers, offering continuous monitoring of the variable environment to inform crew safety protocols. JAXA's involvement included training for capture simulations using the Canadarm2, where practiced free-flyer coordination and grappling maneuvers to refine autonomous docking technologies for debris removal and servicing. ESA-led aging studies utilized cell cultures in the Kubik incubator to probe microgravity's acceleration of in immune and neural cells, with samples fixed at intervals to analyze shortening and via post-flight , elucidating parallels to terrestrial degenerative diseases. Cargo resupply missions briefly supported these efforts by delivering experiment hardware and samples.

Notable Outcomes

Expedition 70's research yielded significant health advancements, particularly in understanding and its physiological impacts on astronauts. The Internal Radiation Monitoring investigation tracked crew radiation doses in real-time using active dosimeters, providing data that informs protective measures for future deep-space missions like , where radiation risks are heightened beyond low-Earth orbit. Additionally, the study measured alterations in and muscle function during , revealing insights into microgravity-induced that could guide exercise protocols to mitigate deconditioning for extended lunar and Mars explorations. Cell-based experiments during the mission also advanced potential cancer therapies. The MABL-A investigation examined microgravity's effects on bone marrow stem cells, demonstrating changes that enhance understanding of bone loss countermeasures; these findings have implications for stem cell therapies on Earth, including treatments for radiation-induced cancers by improving cellular resilience and repair mechanisms. Samples from this work, along with those from Genes in Space-10 analyzing DNA mutations, were returned for ground analysis, supporting drug development to combat muscle atrophy and related conditions like osteoporosis, with broader applications to age-related diseases. Technology demonstrations highlighted Expedition 70's contributions to in-space manufacturing and . The Cardiac Bioprinting experiment successfully produced 3D cardiac tissue models in microgravity, which were returned via Cargo Dragon CRS-29 for evaluation; these prototypes demonstrated superior tissue viability compared to -based analogs, paving the way for on-demand production of organs or pharmaceuticals during long-duration missions. The Robotic Surgery Tech Demo tested techniques for performing simulated surgical procedures using a miniature remotely controlled from , with astronauts and conducting operations on tissue analogs to advance telemedicine for future deep-space exploration. Complementing this, the ISS External Microorganisms study collected swab samples from the station's exterior during spacewalks, identifying potential microbial hitchhikers from launch vehicles or reentries that could introduce external contamination sources, informing stricter sterilization protocols for future habitats. Operationally, the crew achieved remarkable resilience, completing 286 experiments across diverse fields despite the Nauka module's coolant leak in October 2023, which posed no disruptions to or crew safety as the primary systems remained functional. Five resupply missions, including CRS-30 and Progress MS-25, delivered over thousands of pounds of materials, ensuring uninterrupted research flow and hardware support. The mission's broader impacts extended to fostering international collaboration and transitioning to commercial space infrastructure. Data from Expedition 70's multinational experiments enhanced shared knowledge among , , ESA, , and CSA partners, accelerating global advancements in health. Furthermore, hosting the private crew underscored preparations for post-ISS commercial stations, validating integrated operations that will enable seamless handovers to platforms like Starlab by 2030.

References

  1. https://www.nasa.gov/mission/expedition-70/
  2. https://www.nasa.gov/centers-and-facilities/johnson/welcome-back-to-planet-earth-expedition-70-crew/
  3. https://scitechdaily.com/iss-expedition-70-a-fusion-of-robotics-aging-research-and-atmospheric-studies/
  4. https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-astronaut-crewmates-reach-space-station-for-science-expedition/
  5. https://scitechdaily.com/nasas-record-breaking-astronaut-touches-down-after-historic-mission/
  6. https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/spacestation/2024/04/06/soyuz-spacecraft-undocks-to-return-three-crewmates-to-earth/
  7. https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2023/10/iss-roundup-oct23/
  8. https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/spacestation/2023/02/23/uncrewed-replacement-soyuz-launches-to-the-space-station/
  9. https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/23/world/russia-spacecraft-leak-rescue-soyuz-launch-scn
  10. https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2024/01/iss-roundup-310124/
  11. https://www.digitaltrends.com/space/axiom-3-arrives-at-iss/
  12. https://plus.nasa.gov/scheduled-video/nasas-spacex-crew-7-farewell-remarks-station-change-of-command/
  13. https://www.americaspace.com/2024/03/12/crew-7-returns-safely-ends-6-5-month-space-station-mission/
  14. https://interfax.com/newsroom/top-stories/100246/
  15. https://www.nasa.gov/reference/johnson-space-center/
  16. https://www.nasa.gov/international-space-station/ground-facilities/
  17. https://www.nasa.gov/image-article/training-star-city-2/
  18. https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/spacestation/2024/01/22/expedition-70-and-ax-3-crews-working-together-on-station/
  19. https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/record-setting-nasa-astronaut-crewmates-return-from-space-mission/
  20. https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/stationreport/2023/08/30/iss-daily-summary-report-8-30-2023/
  21. https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Commanding_role_for_Andreas_in_space
  22. https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/expedition-70-astronauts-to-share-mission-in-nasa-welcome-home-event/
  23. https://www.nasa.gov/people/jasmin-moghbeli/
  24. https://www.space.com/nasa-all-female-spacewalk-november-2023
  25. https://global.jaxa.jp/press/2023/08/20230828-1_e.html
  26. https://humans-in-space.jaxa.jp/en/astronaut/furukawa-satoshi/
  27. https://spaceflightnow.com/2024/06/04/cosmonaut-oleg-kononenko-reaches-1000-cumulative-days-in-space/
  28. https://www.nasa.gov/image-article/roscosmos-cosmonaut-and-expedition-70-flight-engineer-nikolai-chub/
  29. https://www.nasa.gov/missions/station/iss-research/nasa-astronaut-loral-ohara-expedition-70-science-highlights/
  30. https://www.nasa.gov/people/loral-ohara/
  31. https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-partners-to-welcome-private-crew-aboard-space-station/
  32. https://www.axiomspace.com/mission-blog/ax3-iss-arrival
  33. https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/spacestation/2024/01/23/station-crew-assists-ax-3-on-advanced-space-research/
  34. https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/spacestation/2024/03/05/four-crew-8-members-enter-station-for-six-month-mission/
  35. https://www.nasa.gov/missions/station/commercial-crew/what-you-need-to-know-about-nasas-spacex-crew-8-mission/
  36. https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-sets-coverage-for-crew-launch-trio-to-join-expedition-70/
  37. https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/spacestation/2024/03/25/soyuz-hatches-open-expedition-70-welcomes-crew-aboard-station/
  38. https://www.spacex.com/launches/crew7
  39. https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasas-spacex-crew-7-launches-to-international-space-station/
  40. https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/splashdown-nasas-spacex-crew-7-finishes-mission-returns-to-earth/
  41. https://www.spacefacts.de/mission/english/soyuz-ms-24.htm
  42. https://www.russianspaceweb.com/soyuz-ms-24.html
  43. https://www.russianspaceweb.com/soyuz-ms-25.html
  44. https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-astronaut-tracy-dyson-crewmates-safely-en-route-to-space-station/
  45. https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-astronaut-tracy-c-dyson-crewmates-return-from-space-station/
  46. https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/spacestation/2024/09/23/soyuz-spacecraft-undocks-three-crew-members-headed-back-to-earth/
  47. https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-spacex-launch-new-science-hardware-to-space-station/
  48. https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/spacestation/2023/12/21/dragon-undocks-scientific-cargo-headed-back-to-earth/
  49. https://www.russianspaceweb.com/progress-ms-25.html
  50. https://www.spacefacts.de/iss/english/exp_70.htm
  51. https://www.nasa.gov/missions/station/overview-for-nasas-northrop-grumman-20th-commercial-resupply-mission/
  52. https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-science-hardware-on-northrop-grumman-mission-en-route-to-station/
  53. https://www.russianspaceweb.com/progress-ms-26.html
  54. https://www.nasa.gov/international-space-station/commercial-resupply/nasa-spacex-30th-commercial-resupply-mission-overview/
  55. https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/commercialresupply/2024/03/23/dragon-cargo-spacecraft-arriving-to-station-soon-live-on-nasa-tv/
  56. https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/spacestation/2023/09/27/soyuz-undocks-crew-headed-back-to-earth/
  57. https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/spacestation/2023/09/15/soyuz-docks-to-space-station-with-new-crew/
  58. https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/spacestation/2023/10/09/international-space-station-operations-update/
  59. https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/spacestation/2023/10/25/cosmonauts-finish-spacewalk-following-hardware-installs-and-inspections/
  60. https://www.nasa.gov/international-space-station/space-station-visiting-vehicles/
  61. https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/spacestation/2024/02/07/ax-3-astronauts-undock-in-dragon-from-station-for-earth-return/
  62. https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/spacestation/2024/03/05/spacex-dragon-with-crew-8-aboard-docks-to-station/
  63. https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/spacestation/2024/03/11/dragon-undocks-from-station-crew-headed-back-to-earth-2/
  64. https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/spacestation/2024/03/23/crewed-soyuz-spacecraft-launches-to-station/
  65. https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/spacestation/2023/10/25/cosmonauts-begin-spacewalk-to-install-scientific-payloads-and-inspect-radiator/
  66. https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/spacestation/2023/11/01/astronauts-complete-spacewalk-dragon-launch-moves-to-nov-7/
  67. https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/spacestation/2023/11/01/two-spacewalkers-exit-station-for-communications-solar-array-work/
  68. https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/ahr-2024-final.pdf
  69. https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/esdmd/hhp/cardiovascular-and-vision/
  70. https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/spacestation/2024/01/24/ax-3-research-on-station-advancing-health-and-space-tech/
  71. https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/spacestation/2024/02/06/bone-optical-fiber-studies-as-ax-3-crew-nears-departure/
  72. https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/spacestation/2024/02/27/expedition-70-crew-works-on-station-airlocks-and-exercise-research/
  73. https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/spacestation/2023/11/29/aging-human-research-studies-ahead-of-next-cargo-mission/
  74. https://www.nasa.gov/missions/station/iss-research/monitoring-microorganisms/
  75. https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/spacestation/2023/10/11/spacewalks-postponed-as-managers-review-leak-data/
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.