SPACE.com --

Latest News

Cosmonauts, Malaysian Astronaut Back Home
Updated at 2:33 p.m. EDT Sunday, October 21, 2007:

Two veteran cosmonauts and Malaysia's first astronaut are safely back on Earth after a harrowing, off-course landing during their return from the International Space Station (ISS).

ISS Expedition 15 commander Fyodor Yurchikhin, flight engineer Oleg Kotov and Malaysian astronaut Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor landed at 6:36 a.m. EDT (1036 GMT) after their Soyuz spacecraft underwent a "ballistic" descent during its early morning Earth return.

The astronauts touched down about 216 miles (347 kilometers) short of their intended landing site, but recovery crews were quickly on scene to help extract the three spaceflyers. Unlikely typically Soyuz landings, so-called ballistic descents subject astronauts to higher than normal gravitational forces (G-forces) due to their steeper trajectories.

Yurchikhin and Kotov completed a 185-day mission to the ISS, handing and control of the station over to Expedition 16 commander Peggy Whitson and flight engineer Yuri Malenchenko before they departed the orbital lab. Their crewmate Clayton Anderson, who joined the Expedition 15 crew during a June NASA shuttle mission, stayed behind to join the Expedition 16 until his relief arrives aboard the shuttle Discovery in late October.

Shukor spent about 11 days in space, nine aboard the ISS, during his spaceflight, which stemmed from a commercial agreement between the Russian and Malaysian governments.

Click here for complete ISS mission coverage.

For more information about Expedition 15 see our archive of story links below, or visit NASA's mission-dedicated Web page by clicking here.

-- Tariq Malik, SPACE.com Staff Writer

Expedition 15
Fyodor Yurchikhin
Oleg Kotov
Sunita Williams
(not pictured)
Clayton Anderson
Launch: April 7, 2007
Land: October 21, 2007

Expedition Fifteen Stories

Image Gallery: Space Tourist, Expedition 15 Crew Train for Launch

Coming Home

Spaceflyers Safely Land, Despite Worrisome Descent
Despite making an off-target landing, three of the International Space Station's (ISS) latest visitors have safely returned to Earth today, making room aboard the orbital laboratory for NASA's soon-to-launch space shuttle crew.

Space Station Crew to Return Home Sunday
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Two Russian cosmonauts and Malaysia's first spaceflyer will return to Earth early Sunday to complete their respective missions to the International Space Station (ISS).

New Crew Settles in Aboard Space Station
Two veteran astronauts and Malaysia's first spaceflyer are settling into orbital life as they near the midpoint of a crew swap aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

Astronauts 'Home' Again on Space Station
For Peggy Whitson, the first female commander of the International Space Station, and Yuri Malenchenko, her Expedition 16 crewmate, today's arrival at the orbiting outpost was something of a homecoming.

Orbital Arrival: Fresh Astronaut Crew Docks at Space Station
The first female commander of the International Space Station (ISS) arrived at the orbital laboratory Friday alongside a veteran cosmonaut and Malaysia's first astronaut to complete a two-day chase aboard their Russian spacecraft.

New Crew to Arrive at Space Station Today
A Russian-built spacecraft is bearing down on the International Space Station (ISS) to ferry two veteran astronauts and Malaysia's first spaceflyer to the orbital laboratory later today.

Malaysian Astronaut to Observe Ramadan in Space
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) -- A Malaysian doctor who will spend the last days of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in space has vowed to follow the rituals of his faith even as he hurtles around Earth at 17,000 mph.

Astronaut Trio Rockets Toward Space Station
A Russian Soyuz rocket roared into orbit Wednesday carrying Malaysia's first spaceflyer and a veteran astronaut team on a tricky mission to build up the International Space Station (ISS).

Space Station Primed to Unfold New Radiators
The International Space Station (ISS) is primed to unfold new radiators later this month after successfully furling its oldest solar arrays.

Space Station Crew Takes Short Soyuz Trip
Three astronauts living aboard the International Space Station (ISS) took a short trip Thursday to move their Russian-built lifeboat to a new parking spot.

Space Station Astronauts Prepare for Crew Swap
Astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) are preparing their orbital laboratory for a crew swap that will begin with the arrival of three new spaceflyers next month.

Hard at Work

Disposable Russian Cargo Ship Departs Space Station
A trash-filled Russian cargo ship destined for destruction cast off from the International Space Station (ISS) late Tuesday to help prime the orbital laboratory for the arrival of a new crew next month.

Space Station Crew Clears Port for New Module
Despite some finicky bolts, astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) moved an old docking port to a new parking spot Thursday, clearing a berth for the arrival of a brand new module later this year.

Orbital Assembly

Complete STS-118 Mission Coverage
Click here for day-by-day coverage of NASA's STS-118 mission to deliver cargo, spare parts and a new starboard-side truss segment to the International Space Station.

Space Shuttle Endeavour Returns to Earth Safely
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- NASA's shuttle Endeavour and its seven-astronaut crew returned to Earth Tuesday, landing one day early due to earlier concerns that Hurricane Dean could disrupt Mission Control operations in Texas.

Shuttle Endeavour Undocks from Space Station
HOUSTON -- The space shuttle Endeavour and its seven-astronaut crew undocked from the International Space Station (ISS) early Sunday as NASA kept a close watch on Hurricane Dean.

NASA Shortens Spacewalk For Shuttle's Earth Return
HOUSTON -- Two spacewalking astronauts helped prepare the International Space Station (ISS) for future shuttle missions Saturday, though NASA shortened their orbital work as Hurricane Dean edged closer to the Gulf Coast.

Shuttle Astronauts Haul Cargo, Prepare for Spacewalk
HOUSTON -- Astronauts aboard NASA's shuttle Endeavour and the International Space Station (ISS) will haul cargo between their two spacecraft Friday and gear up for a weekend spacewalk outside the orbital laboratory.

Damaged Spacesuit Glove Ends ISS Spacewalk Early
HOUSTON -- Two astronauts primed the oldest power tower atop the International Space Station (ISS) for a future move Wednesday, despite a ripped spacesuit glove that cut their spacewalk short.

Orbital Repair: Spacewalkers Replace Broken Space Station Gyroscope
HOUSTON -- Two spacewalkers replaced a broken gyroscope outside the International Space Station (ISS) Monday as engineers on Earth discussed whether Endeavour shuttle astronauts will have perform a risky heat shield repair later this week.

Orbital Construction: Spacewalkers Add New Piece to Space Station
HOUSTON – Two spacewalking astronauts added a new piece to the growing International Space Station (ISS) Saturday while engineers on Earth analyzed a U.S computer glitch and damage to the shuttle Endeavour.

Space Shuttle Endeavour Rockets Into Orbit
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The space shuttle Endeavour and its astronaut crew roared into space this evening, ending a 22-year wait for teacher-turned-spaceflyer Barbara Morgan.

Shuttle Endeavour Crew Arrives at Space Station
HOUSTON - The space shuttle Endeavour successfully docked with the International Space Station (ISS) Friday, merging two excited astronaut crews hundreds of miles above the South Pacific Ocean.

Russian Cargo Ship Docks at Space Station
Astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) have a fresh supply of food, water and other vital supplies onboard after the flawless Sunday arrival of an unmanned Russian cargo ship.

Russian Cargo Ship Launches Towards Space Station
A Russian cargo ship blasted into space Thursday to ferry fresh food, clothing and other vital supplies to astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

Space Station Crew Jettisons Disposable Cargo Ship
An unmanned Russian cargo ship cast off from the International Space Station (ISS) Wednesday on a mission to destroy itself as the orbital laboratory makes way for an incoming delivery.

Spacewalk Scrap: ISS Astronauts Toss Space Junk
With a big lean back and a giant push forward, American astronaut Clayton Anderson heaved a 1,400-pound (635-kilogram) tank of ammonia from the International Space Station today (ISS).

'Refrigerator-Sized' Object to be Tossed From Space Station
The three-man crew aboard the International Space Station (ISS) will do a little housekeeping during a spacewalk next week to make way for future expansion of the laboratory.

Engineers Close in on Source of ISS Computer Crash
NASA engineers and their Russian counterparts are closing in on the source of a major computer glitch that afflicted the International Space Station (ISS) during last month's shuttle mission to the orbital laboratory.

Space Station Crew to Test New Oxygen Generator
HOUSTON -- Astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) will test a new U.S. oxygen generator that will prove vital for the outpost's expansion to larger crews.

Shuttle Visit Powers Up ISS

Complete STS-117 Mission Coverage
Click here for day-by-day coverage of NASA's STS-117 mission to deliver new solar arrays and one crewmember to the International Space Station.

NASA: Challenges Ahead After Shuttle Flight's Success
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The successful return of seven astronauts aboard NASA's shuttle Atlantis kicks off a challenging construction year for the International Space Station (ISS), NASA officials said Friday.

Back on Earth: Atlantis Shuttle Crew Lands Safely After Succesful Flight
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Seven NASA astronauts and the shuttle Atlantis returned safely to Earth Friday after a successful mission to boost the power grid aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

Atlantis Shuttle Crew Undocks from Space Station
HOUSTON -- Seven astronauts aboard NASA's shuttle Atlantis cast off from the International Space Station (ISS) Tuesday, leaving the orbital laboratory with a more balanced look after installing new starboard solar wings.

Space Station Fires Russian Thrusters in Test
HOUSTON -- The International Space Station (ISS) fired up its Russian thrusters Monday during a vital test to verify the health of navigation and control computers that failed last week.

Spacewalkers Prime New ISS Solar Arrays for Action
HOUSTON -- Two astronauts primed the International Space Station's (ISS) newest solar wings for full operations Sunday during an extra spacewalk by NASA's Atlantis shuttle crew.

Tense Day Ends in Some Relief for Space Station
HOUSTON -- A tense day in orbit ended with some relief for astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) and their Mission Control teams Friday, closing with two critical Russian computer systems back in action.

Despite Glitches, Astronauts Keep Spirits High Aboard Space Station
HOUSTON -- Despite facing down tough computer glitches amidst a busy mission to build up the International Space Station (ISS), spirits are high among the ten astronauts aboard the orbital laboratory.

Shuttle Astronaut Sets New Record, Crew Works at ISS
HOUSTON -- NASA astronaut Sunita Williams set a new spaceflight record early Saturday as she and her Atlantis shuttle crewmates continue their mission to the International Space Station (ISS).

More Progress Made to Recover Space Station Computers
HOUSTON -- Two Russian cosmonauts and engineers on Earth have made more progress to revive critical computers aboard the International Space Station (ISS), NASA said Saturday.

Atlantis Astronauts Fix Shuttle Blanket, Furl Solar Array
HOUSTON -- Two spacewalkers performed a bit of heat shield surgery and wrestled an old solar wing into submission outside the International Space Station (ISS) Friday, as critical Russian computers were reactivated inside the orbital laboratory.

Space Station Computer Fix Will 'Take Time,' NASA Says
HOUSTON -- Efforts to fully recover critical Russian computer systems aboard the International Space Station (ISS) will likely continue through the rest of the week, with no quick fix at hand, a top NASA official said Thursday.

Russian Mission Control Restores Contact With Failed ISS Computers
HOUSTON -- Russian flight controllers for the International Space Station (ISS) restored contact with a pair of vital computers aboard the orbital laboratory early Thursday after a major failure left the outpost dependent on U.S. systems and NASA's shuttle Atlantis for attitude control.

NASA: Space Station Computer Crash May Extend Shuttle Mission
HOUSTON -- The loss of vital computers governing Russian systems aboard the International Space Station (ISS) has left the orbital laboratory dependent on U.S. gyroscopes and NASA's visiting Atlantis shuttle, and may lengthen the orbiter's already extended flight, mission managers said late Wednesday.

Astronauts Partially Furl ISS Solar Array in Spacewalk
HOUSTON -- Two spacewalking astronauts partially furled an old solar wing outside the International Space Station (ISS) Wednesday, then faced down tough bolts and crossed wires to help prime the outpost's newest arrays to track the Sun.

All Wired Up: Space Station Spreads its New Solar Wings
HOUSTON -- The International Space Station (ISS) unfurled a shiny new set of solar wings Tuesday to increase its power supply and support future construction.

ISS Delivery: Astronauts Install New Space Station Power Plant
HOUSTON -- The International Space Station (ISS) has a new orbital look after a joint team of astronauts installed a pair of massive trusses and solar arrays to the starboard side of the high-flying lab Monday.

Orbital Rendezvous: Shuttle Astronauts Arrive at Space Station
HOUSTON - NASA's space shuttle Atlantis berthed with the International Space Station (ISS) Sunday afternoon, ending a two-day chase to deliver new solar arrays to the orbital laboratory.

Liftoff! Shuttle Atlantis Rockets Towards Space Station
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - After months of delay, NASA's shuttle Atlantis blasted off from the agency's Florida spaceport Friday in a flawless liftoff, kicking off an 11-day construction flight for seven astronauts bound for the International Space Station (ISS).

Hard at Work

Armored ISS: Cosmonauts Outfit Space Station with New Shields
The International Space Station (ISS) has new armor to guard against wayward meteorites and orbital debris after a successful Wednesday spacewalk by two Russian cosmonauts.

Cosmonauts to Add More ISS Shields in Second Spacewalk
Two Russian spacewalkers will step outside the International Space Station (ISS) for the second time Wednesday to finish attaching new micrometeorite shields to their high-flying laboratory's hull.

Shields Up! Cosmonauts Install Protective Space Station Panels
The International Space Station (ISS) is a little better protected against impact by stray particles today after two Russian cosmonauts installed debris shielding to the station during a 5 hour, 25 minute spacewalk.

Cosmonauts Prepare for Today's Spacewalk
Two Russian Cosmonauts are set to install orbital debris protection panels on the International Space Station (ISS) during a spacewalk later today.

Space Station Astronaut Calls Undersea Lab
NASA astronaut Sunita Williams made a unique ship-to-ship phone call from the International Space Station (ISS) Thursday to check in with six aquanauts living at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean.

Fresh Cargo Ship Docks at International Space Station
Astronauts aboard the International Space Station welcomed the arrival of a fresh cargo ship early Tuesday after a flawless automated docking by the incoming spacecraft.

Training Hits High Gear for Next Space Station Astronaut
NASA astronaut Clayton Anderson, a late addition to the agency's next shuttle crew, is ramping up for a planned June 8 launch towards the International Space Station (ISS).

Russian Cargo Ship Hauls Supplies, Snails Towards ISS
An unmanned cargo ship launched into orbit late Friday laden with fresh food, supplies and a reported batch of spaceflying snails on course for the International Space Station (ISS).

Queen Elizabeth II Hears from Space Station Crew in NASA Visit
Queen Elizabeth II heard from astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) Tuesday during a visit to NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland.

Orbital Crew Swap

Space Station Astronaut to Return to Earth Early
American astronaut Sunita Williams will return home from her mission to the International Space Station (ISS) a bit early this summer due to delays associated with NASA's next shuttle flight, the space agency announced Thursday.

VIDEO: Meet Expedition 15
ISS flight engineers Oleg Kotov, Sunita Williams and commander Fyodor Yurchikhin discuss their mission with SPACE.com.

Space Tourist Charles Simonyi to Chronicle ISS Flight in Book
BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) - Charles Simonyi, who recently returned to Earth after a 13-day space odyssey, said Monday he was planning to write a book about his travel into orbit.

Orbital Trek 'Beyond Wildest Dreams' for Space Tourist
American billionaire Charles Simonyi is reacquainting himself with gravity after a two-week voyage to the International Space Station (ISS); an orbital trip chock full of precious moments.

Home Again: Space Tourist, ISS Crew Return to Earth
A Russian spacecraft carrying an American billionaire and two professional astronauts returned to Earth Saturday after a record-setting spaceflight to the International Space Station (ISS).

ISS Astronauts, Space Tourist to Land Early Saturday
Two professional astronauts and an American billionaire are preparing to leave the International Space Station (ISS) and make a weekend return to their home planet.

Space Tourist, Astronauts Grieve for Virginia Tech Shooting Victims
Five professional astronauts and an American visitor to the International Space Station (ISS) expressed grief Thursday for those killed and wounded during a student gunman's attack at Virginia Tech this week.

Report: Weather Delays Space Station Crew's Landing
Two astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) turned control of the orbital laboratory over to their replacements Tuesday. But the spaceflyers will spend one extra day in orbit after heavy rains flooded their landing site, according to Russian news reports.

NASA Astronaut Completes Boston Marathon in Space
After more than four hours of running in place, NASA astronaut Sunita Williams completed the Boston Marathon while orbiting Earth aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

Astronaut to Start Marathon on Time
BOSTON (AP) — All systems are go for astronaut marathoner Suni Williams. Williams, who qualified for the Boston Marathon before learning she would be at the international space station on race day, was cleared for a 26.2-mile simulated run at 10 a.m. EDT on Monday—just when the real event will be leaving Hopkinton down on Earth.

Space Tourist: ISS a Cozy and Complicated Place
The International Space Station (ISS) is both cozy and complicated according to American billionaire Charles Simonyi, who paying more than $20 million for a trek to the orbital outpost.

New Astronaut Crew Takes Shape Aboard Space Station
A new astronaut crew is coming together aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

ISS Astronauts, Russian Officials Celebrate Cosmonautics Day
MOSCOW – Russians celebrated the Day of Space Exploration, or Cosmonautics Day, on Thursday with cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) treating themselves to a French cuisine dinner and unnamed governors considering whether to buy a $25 million ticket to this scientific outpost more than 186 miles (300 kilometers) above the Earth.

Report: Bill Gates Ponders Orbital Flight, Cosmonaut Says
American billionaire and Microsoft mogul Bill Gates is eyeing the possibility of his own orbital spaceflight, according to the next commander of the International Space Station (ISS) and Russian news reports.

American Billionaire, Astronauts Share Smiles Aboard Space Station
An American billionaire and five professional astronauts were all smiles Tuesday as they kicked off a nearly two-week changing of the guard activity aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

Bound for ISS

VIDEO: Expedition 15's Soyuz Away!
A Russian rocket launches the Expedition 15 crew and U.S. space tourist Charles Simonyi towards the International Space Station on April 7, 2007. Credit: NASA TV/collectSPACE.com.

Fresh Crew, Space Tourist Arrive at Space Station
After a two-day orbital chase, a Russian Soyuz spacecraft carrying an American billionaire and two professional cosmonauts caught up to the International Space Station (ISS) Monday, where its arrival was hailed by the outpost's three-astronaut crew.

Space Tourist Simonyi's Stash of Space Station Souvenirs
Charles Simonyi has his passport with him, ready for his arrival aboard the International Space Station (ISS) today.

Docking Day: Soyuz Spacecraft to Ferry New Crew, Space Tourist to ISS Today
A Russian-built Soyuz spacecraft carrying two professional cosmonauts and an American billionaire is en route to the International Space Station (ISS) for a Monday afternoon rendezvous.

New Space Station Crew, Fifth Tourist Launch into Orbit
A Russian Soyuz rocket carrying two cosmonauts and the world's fifth space tourist blasted into orbit Saturday, kicking off a two-day flight bound for the International Space Station (ISS).

Aiming for Space

Ready to Fly: Next ISS Crew, Space Tourist to Launch Today
Two Russian cosmonauts and an American billionaire are gearing up to launch into orbit today on a flight bound for the International Space Station (ISS).

Expedition 15: Cosmonaut Crew Ready for Space Station Mission
Two Russian cosmonauts, a spaceflight veteran and a first-time flyer, are just one day away from rocketing into orbit to begin a six-month mission at the International Space Station (ISS).

Martha Stewart Arrives at Cosmodrome for Space Tourist's Launch
BAIKONUR, Kazakhstan (AP) -- Martha Stewart is sending gracious living into orbit, picking a gourmet space meal of duck breast confit and semolina cake with dried apricots for her billionaire space tourist "best friend'' and his comrades in the international space station.

The Fifth Space Tourist: American Entrepreneur Charles Simonyi Prepares for Liftoff
With his bags packed and his menu set, American entrepreneur Charles Simonyi is ready to launch towards the International Space Station (ISS).

Soyuz Rocket Rolls Out to Launch Pad for Saturday Space Shot
BAIKONUR, Kazakhstan (AP) – Engineers mounted a Russian-made Soyuz rocket on a launch pad in the middle of barren Kazakh steppes Thursday as part of final preparations for two Russian cosmonauts and a U.S. "space tourist'' to soar into space in two days.

Good Food, Games Precede Launch for ISS-Bound Spaceflyers
BAIKONUR, Kazakhstan (AP) -- In one of their last days before blasting off in a closet-sized capsule, two Russian cosmonauts and a U.S. billionaire computer programmer enjoyed an array of earthly pleasures Wednesday -- a springtime stroll, a game of ping pong and a freshly cooked lunch.

Space Station Astronaut Ready for Boston Marathon
NASA astronaut Sunita Williams is ready to run the Boston Marathon, though her trek aboard the International Space Station will carry farther than most runners.

ISS Astronauts Swap Soyuz Spacecraft Parking Spots
Three astronauts took a brief trip around the International Space Station (ISS) Thursday to clear an orbital parking spot for an incoming crew and the next tourist bound for the high-flying laboratory.

NASA Wrangles Plans for U.S. Astronaut's Earth Return
The delay of NASA's next space shuttle flight has thrown a monkey wrench into plans to return a U.S. astronaut home from the International Space Station (ISS), mission managers said Tuesday.

ISS Astronauts Discard Trash Ship, Prepare for Crew Swap
Astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) discarded an unmanned cargo ship packed full of trash Tuesday as they ready the orbital laboratory to welcome a new crew.

Next Space Tourist to Get Two Extra Days Aboard ISS
American software developer Charles Simonyi, the next paying tourist to visit the International Space Station (ISS), will get two extra days in orbit – at no additional cost – thanks to a tricky bit of orbital mechanics.

ISS Nabs Boost from a Russian Space Freighter
The International Space Station (ISS) is flying just a bit higher today thanks to a handy robotic space freighter docked at the orbital laboratory.

Charles Simonyi: Next Space Tourist Has Spacesuit, Will Travel
U.S. entrepreneur Charles Simonyi has a brand new suit, and it comes with a pretty sweet ride.

Next ISS Crew, Space Tourist Prepare for Orbital Flight
Two NASA astronauts and the next space tourist are bound for Russia to prepare for 15th expedition to the International Space Station (ISS).

Next Space Tourist Launches Website, Aims for Orbit
With a March 2007 spaceflight in hand, American space tourist-in-training Charles Simonyi celebrated with a launch of his own Thursday as he debuted a personal website where he'll document his trek to the International Space Station (ISS).

Blog: Four Spaceflyers Tapped for Next Space Station Crew
NASA announced a quartet of spaceflyers to serve as the 15th crew of the International Space Station (ISS) next year.

Former Microsoft Developer Passes Medical Exam, One Step Closer to Spaceflight
Former Microsoft developer Charles Simonyi is one step closer to achieving his dream of visiting the International Space Station after a Russian medical review board recently green-lighted him for spaceflight, the orbital tourism company Space Adventures announced last Thursday.

American Software Developer to Visit Space Station
Former Microsoft software developer Charles Simonyi is set to become a space tourist for a visit to the International Space Station (ISS), the orbital tourism firm Space Adventures said Monday.