Why astronauts still visit Red Square before heading into orbit

Space · Published 7 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Before boarding a Soyuz rocket, the next crew of the International Space Station travels to the heart of Moscow. This isn't just a sightseeing tour; it is a continuation of a deep-rooted tradition that bridges the history of Soviet space exploration with modern international cooperation.

The tradition involves a pilgrimage to the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia. Here, the crew—including Commander Anatoly Ivanishin of Roscosmos, NASA's Kate Rubins, and JAXA's Takuya Onishi—view historic space artifacts. This ritual serves as a physical connection to the pioneers of the space age, grounding the modern mission in the legacy of those who first reached orbit. Following the museum visit, the crew participates in traditional ceremonies at Red Square in Moscow. These events are a hallmark of the Soyuz program, emphasizing the cultural significance of space travel. For the crew of Expedition 48-49, these visits occur just weeks before their scheduled launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

The mission, lasting four months, represents the ongoing partnership between NASA, Roscosmos, JAXA, and the European Space Agency (ESA). While the ceremony is a nod to the past, the work ahead is intensely technical. While the new crew prepares for their journey, the current residents of the International Space Station are maintaining the station's life-support systems. This includes swapping batteries on spacewalking gear, cleaning ventilation systems to prevent debris escape, and testing new medical technology, such as a device designed to generate saline solution from potable water for treating medical conditions in microgravity.

The transition of crews is a constant cycle of maintenance and preparation. As the new trio prepares to dock with the Prichal module, current residents like Chris Williams and Sophie Adenot are already performing hardware upkeep and preparing for their own return. This cycle ensures that the orbital outpost remains habitable and functional, even as the human faces on board change every few months.

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