25 years of research in space

MIT astronauts aboard the International Space Station--and the MIT researchers who have sent up experiments--have advanced our understanding of science, space, and the universe. This image of the International Space Station and space shuttle Endeavour, flying at an altitude of approximately 350 kilometers, was taken by Expedition 27 crew member Paolo Nespoli from the Soyuz TMA-20 on May 24, 2011. On November 2, 2000, NASA astronaut Bill Shepherd, OCE '78, SM '78, and Russian cosmonauts Sergei Krikalev and Yuri Gidzenko made history as their Soyuz spacecraft docked with the International Space Station. The event marked the start of 25 years of continuous human presence in space aboard the ISS--a prolific period for space research. MIT-trained astronauts, scientists, and engineers have played integral roles in all aspects of the station's design, assembly, operations, and scientific research. One of MIT's most experienced NASA astronauts, Mike Fincke '89, is celebrating that milestone from space.