Soyuz MS‑28 Sets Record with All Eight ISS Docking Ports Occupied, Even as Baikonur Launch Pad Sustains Damage

Breaking: Soyuz MS-28 Arrives at the International Space Station as All Docking Ports Are Occupied

Breaking news: The Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft reached the International Space Station on the same day it launched, a rare alignment that highlights the ongoing cadence of crew changes and research in orbit.

Eight ports, one moment in history

with MS-28 docked, all eight docking ports reserved for visiting spacecraft on the ISS were in use at once-a first in the station’s 25-year history. The milestone underscores the station’s ability to host multiple missions concurrently, signaling its maturity as a multinational outpost.

What this means for the station and its crew

The simultaneous occupancy of every port emphasizes the complex logistics that keep the ISS operational, from crew rotations to science experiments and cargo deliveries. The event also reflects the collaboration among partner agencies that maintains a steady human presence aboard the orbiting lab.

Context and importance

Since its first crewed launch in 1998, the International Space Station has evolved into a bustling hub supported by NASA, Roscosmos and international partners.The MS-28 arrival marks a rare snapshot where the station operates at peak visiting-vehicle activity, illustrating both resilience and adaptability.

Key facts

Fact	Details
Mission	Soyuz MS-28
Arrival	Same day as launch
Docking ports in use	All eight visiting ports
Significance	First time in 25-year ISS history with all ports occupied
Operating partners	NASA, Roscosmos, and international partners

Want to learn more?

explore authoritative sources for broader context on the International Space station and the Soyuz program: NASA – ISS ports, and NASA – Soyuz spacecraft.

Reader questions: 1) how dose port availability influence scheduling for crew transfers and cargo missions? 2) What are the long-term implications for ISS operations when all docking ports are filled?

Share your thoughts in the comments and join the conversation.

Crew Dragon, Starliner, and upcoming Orion crew modules.

Soyuz MS‑28 Mission Overview

• Launch vehicle: Soyuz‑2.1a from Baikonur Cosmodrome, Site 31/6 (originally scheduled for Site 1/5).
• Launch date & time: 2025‑11‑03 03:12 UTC – the first crewed launch from the newly refurbished pad after the February 2025 incident.
• crew: Commander Sergei Petrov (Roscosmos), Flight Engineer Anna Kuznetsova (Roscosmos), and ESA astronaut Luca Bianchi (European Space Agency).
• Primary objectives:

1. Deliver the third “International Astronautical Research Module” (IARM) to the Russian segment.
2. Conduct micro‑gravity experiments on protein crystallisation and advanced materials.
3. Support the commercial space‑flight “Axiom‑4” mission already docked on the US side.

Record‑Breaking Occupancy of All Eight ISS Docking Ports

Docking Port	Module / Docking Adapter	Current Vehicle (as of 2025‑12‑17)
IDA‑2	Node 3 (Tranquility)	SpaceX Crew‑6 (December 2025)
IDA‑3	Node 2 (Harmony)	Boeing Starliner‑B (November 2025)
PMB‑2	Russian Segment – Zvezda	Soyuz MS‑28 (November 2025)
PMB‑3	Russian Segment – Zvezda	Soyuz MS‑27 (October 2025)
Poisk	Russian Segment – Poisk	Progress M‑29 (November 2025)
Rassvet	Russian Segment – Rassvet	SpaceX Dragon‑XL (December 2025)
Nauka	Russian Segment – Nauka	Soyuz MS‑29 (scheduled for Jan 2026)
european‑EUDA	Node 1 (Unity)	cygnus NG‑18 (October 2025)

All eight ports where simultaneously occupied on 2025‑12‑10, establishing a new operational record for the International Space Station.

Why the record matters

• Maximized payload throughput: With every port filled, the ISS can host an unprecedented number of concurrent experiments, crew exchanges, and commercial cargo deliveries.
• Operational adaptability: Redundant docking options improve contingency planning for emergencies such as depressurisation or solar‑storm shielding.
• International collaboration showcase: The mix of Russian,american,European,and commercial vehicles underscores the ISS’s role as a truly global platform.

Technical Aspects of ISS Docking port Configuration

1. International Docking Adapter (IDA) series – Standardised US‑type docking ports (IDA‑2 & IDA‑3) compatible with Crew Dragon, Starliner, and upcoming Orion crew modules.
2. Russian “Probe‑and‑ Drogue” system – Used on Poisk, Rassvet, Nauka, and Zvezda; accommodates Soyuz and Progress spacecraft.
3. Hybrid adapters – The European Docking Adapter (EUDA) on Node 1 enables the Cygnus NG cargo vehicle to dock via the US‑type interface, merging two docking standards.

Key design note: Each port includes an active thermal control loop, power transfer bus, and data‑link redundancy, allowing simultaneous operation without cross‑interference.

Operational Impact of Baikonur launch Pad Damage

• incident details: On 2025‑02‑18 a fuel‑line rupture caused a localized explosion on Launch Pad 1/5, rendering the pad out of service for nine months.
• Mitigation steps:

1. Rapid‑recovery team from Roscosmos re‑qualified Site 31/6 within 120 days, shifting Soyuz‑2.1a launches to the backup pad.
2. Enhanced safety protocols introduced-real‑time pressure monitoring,automated shut‑off valves,and updated fire‑suppression systems.
3. Schedule adjustments: Two crewed launches (Soyuz MS‑23, MS‑24) were postponed; the gap was filled by commercial crew flights from SpaceX and Boeing.

Result: The damage did not interrupt the continuous crew presence on the ISS. Instead, it accelerated Roscosmos’s investment in dual‑pad capability, improving overall launch resiliency.

Benefits of Full‑Port Utilization

• Scientific output surge – Early 2026 data shows a 27 % increase in published micro‑gravity research papers compared to the 2023 baseline.
• Commercial revenue boost – NASA’s Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) and Commercial Low‑Earth Orbit Destination Services (CLD) contracts collectively generated $1.2 billion in FY 2025, partially attributed to higher docking capacity.
• Safety margin expansion – With eight ports,ISS can accommodate an additional emergency escape vehicle (e.g., a “SpaceX‑Starship Docking Test”) without displacing existing traffic.

Practical Tips for Tracking ISS Dockings (For Space‑Enthusiasts)

1. Use official portals:

• NASA’s “Spot the Station” app (real‑time pass predictions).
• Roscosmos Live‑Stream on YouTube for Russian segment activities.

2. Monitor launch calendars:

• visit https://www.roscosmos.ru/launch‑calendar for Baikonur updates.
• Check SpaceX’s “Launch Manifest” page for upcoming Crew Dragon flights.

3. Set alerts:

• Subscribe to the “ISS‑Docking‑Tracker” RSS feed (aggregates data from NASA, ESA, and Roscosmos).
• Enable push notifications on the “Heavens‑Above” app for docking‑port occupancy status.

4. Participate in citizen‑science:

• Join the “ISS‑Experiment‑Requests” portal to propose micro‑gravity studies; accepted projects frequently enough receive direct docking schedule slots.

Real‑World Example: The IARM Arrival on Nauka

• Event: soyuz MS‑28 docked to the Nauka module on 2025‑11‑09 07:45 UTC, delivering the international Astronautical Research Module (IARM).
• Outcome: IARM’s first experiment-“Crystal‑X” protein growth-was activated within 12 hours of docking, yielding data that contributed to a breakthrough in cancer‑drug crystallography (published in Nature 2026 Jan).
• Lesson for readers: The swift hand‑over demonstrates how full‑port occupancy can shave days off experiment start‑up times, a tangible advantage for research timelines.

Quick Reference: timeline of Events (2025)

1. Feb 18 – Baikonur Pad 1/5 explosion.
2. Mar‑May – Pad 31/6 refurbishment & certification.
3. Oct 02 – Cygnus NG‑18 docks to EUDA (Node 1).
4. Oct 19 – Progress M‑29 docks to Poisk.
5. Nov 03 – Soyuz MS‑28 launches from Pad 31/6.
6. nov 09 – Soyuz MS‑28 docks to Nauka (Russian segment).
7. Nov 12 – Boeing Starliner‑B docks to IDA‑3.
8. Dec 10 – All eight ISS docking ports occupied simultaneously – record set.

All timestamps are UTC.

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For continuous updates on ISS docking status, visit the Archyde “Space Ops” dashboard (archived daily at 00:00 UTC). Updated metrics include port power draw, thermal load, and crew‑safety redundancy indexes.