NASA Astronaut Chris Williams Assigned to First International Space Station Mission

Key Takeaways

• Chris Williams will fly to the International Space Station in November 2025.
• He'll launch aboard the Russian Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft with two Roscosmos cosmonauts.
• This will be Williams' first space mission following his 2024 graduation from NASA astronaut training.
• He’ll spend approximately 8 months aboard the ISS conducting science and technology experiments.

NASA has officially assigned astronaut Chris Williams to his first mission to space — and it’s a big one. Williams will serve as a flight engineer on Expedition 74, heading to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard the Soyuz MS-28spacecraft in November 2025.

He won’t be going it alone — Williams will be joined by Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev. The three crewmates will launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan and spend around eight months aboard the orbiting lab.

What Will Williams Be Doing in Space?

While onboard the ISS, Williams will be involved in scientific research and technology demonstrations that support future space exploration and benefit life on Earth. NASA frequently uses the space station as a testbed for upcoming deep-space missions — including plans to return humans to the Moon and, eventually, reach Mars.

Williams will play a key role in advancing that mission, participating in experiments that can’t be replicated on Earth. These include studies related to human health, biological systems, material science, and more.

Who Is Chris Williams?

Chris Williams is part of NASA’s 23rd astronaut class, graduating in 2024. Originally from New York City and raised in Potomac, Maryland, he’s built an impressive academic and professional background in physics and medical science.

• Bachelor’s in Physics from Stanford University
• PhD in Physics (Astrophysics focus) from MIT
• Completed Medical Physics Residency at Harvard Medical School
• Worked at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston as a clinical physicist and researcher

Williams was selected as an astronaut in 2021 and began training for long-duration missions shortly after completing his candidate program. This upcoming ISS mission is his first spaceflight.

The Bigger Picture

The International Space Station has been continuously inhabited for over two decades, acting as a vital platform for scientific breakthroughs and international cooperation. As NASA transitions its focus toward deep space missions — including the Artemis program — commercial partners are stepping up to handle low Earth orbit operations, like crew transportation and private space stations.

Learn more about research aboard the space station: NASA ISS Research and Operations