Command Transfer Ceremony: Russia to USA | International Space Station

Command Transfer Ceremony: Russia to USA | International Space Station

Expedition 73 flight engineer and NASA astronaut Jonny Kim: "Yesterday we had our change of command, as Sergei Rhyzikov handed over command of the ISS to Mike Fincke. Sergei did an excellent job as commander of the space station and after getting to know Mike over the last 4 months I know he’ll lead with strength, integrity and grace." 

"As the US orbital segment lead over the last 4 months, the thing I’m most proud of is not the amazing science we conducted or the myriad of other accomplishments during this mission, but for being a part of creating a safe, positive culture where we enabled each other to be the best versions of ourselves. Over our first weekend together we jotted down the most important tenets we would live by and taped it to the wall. Leadership is bringing out the best in your team, and I feel so lucky to have been a part of this team."

Expedition 73 symbolically changed commanders on Sunday, December 7, 2025, before three crew members began their return to Earth on Monday, Dec. 8, 2025. Expedition 74 officially started once the home bound trio undocked from the Rassvet module inside their Soyuz MS-27 spacecraft. Veteran Roscosmos cosmonaut and station Commander Sergey Ryzhikov of Russia handed over a symbolic key representing command of the orbital outpost to four-time space flyer NASA astronaut Mike Fincke. Fincke formally took over responsibility of station operations to lead the new Expedition 74 crew at the moment Ryzhikov and Flight Engineers Alexey Zubritsky of Roscosmos (Russia) and Jonny Kim of NASA backed away from the orbital outpost.

Follow Expedition 74:

https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/

Expedition 74 Crew

Station Commander: Mike Fincke (NASA)

JAXA Flight Engineer (Japan): Kimiya Yui

Roscosmos (Russia) Flight Engineers: Oleg Platonov, Sergey-Kud Sverchkov, Sergei Mikaev

NASA Flight Engineers: Zena Cardman, Chris Williams

An international partnership of space agencies provides and operates the elements of the International Space Station (ISS). The principals are the space agencies of the United States, Russia, Europe, Japan, and Canada.

Credit: NASA's Johnson Space Center/J. Kim

Release Date: Dec. 8, 2025

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