Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko has been appointed commander of the Soyuz MS-31 spacecraft. For the most experienced Russian cosmonaut, this mission will mark his sixth flight to the International Space Station (ISS). Information about the crew composition was published on the official website of the Yuriy A. Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center, according to TASS.

Crew Composition and Mission Details

In addition to Oleg Kononenko, flight engineer Alexander Grebenkin has been included in the primary crew of Expedition ISS-77. This information was officially confirmed by the state corporation Roscosmos.

Kononenko’s appointment as commander highlights his status as a key figure in modern Russian space exploration. Preparations for the upcoming launch have already begun — after returning from his previous expedition in September 2024, the cosmonaut promptly resumed training.

World Record and Unique Experience

Oleg Kononenko is rightfully regarded as a legend of global space exploration, holding the absolute record for cumulative time spent in orbit. He has completed five highly demanding expeditions. His most recent mission lasted a full year — from September 2023 to September 2024.

It was during this flight that Kononenko set a historic record, becoming the first person in history that spend a total of more than 1,000 days in space. To date, his cumulative time in orbit amounts to nearly 1,111 days — a result that underscores the exceptional professionalism and endurance of the Russian cosmonaut ahead of his sixth launch.

ORIENT