On November 27, the manned Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft was launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome.

This spacecraft carried two Russian cosmonauts: Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergey Mikayev, as well as NASA astronaut Christopher Williams, to the ISS.

According to Roscosmos, the ship's habitable compartments contain more than 125 kg of cargo delivered to the ISS to continue the scientific program.

It was exciting and joyful for the Metropolis team to share the emotions of a successful launch with our colleague Igor Pomazan, who watched the launch from the observation deck of the Baikonur cosmodrome at a distance of 2.5 km from the Soyuz.

Igor is one of the lucky winners of the Metropolis Company's anniversary lottery, and he got the opportunity to witness the rocket launch with his own eyes!

Igor has already shared unforgettable impressions:

«It was definitely very valuable for me to see unique engineering ideas, technologies, and their implementation. I would not have seen this anywhere else. All of this reflects the powerful intellectual potential of our people.

In addition to the Soyuz-2.1a launch vehicle and the Soyuz MS-28 manned spacecraft, the following events were particularly memorable:

1. the first launch pad of the Baikonur cosmodrome is the Gagarin Launch,
2. full-size technological mock-up of the Buran orbital spacecraft, as well as a unique transport and installation unit (popularly known as Kuznechik) weighing 2,800 tons,
3. the central launch console of the launch vehicle, used for its intended purpose in the 50s, in the launch bunker of the launch complex command post

... and I could go on for a long time.

I think that the chance to go to Baikonur was not just a chance. I found inspiration for myself, and now I want to approach my work differently!

The wow effect came from the fact that the group and I "went through the process" with the rocket, from its transportation to the launch pad, to its verticalization, and finally to the astronauts' transfer from the spacecraft to the ISS.

...And she flew!

It was both joyful that everything worked out, and even sad that this unique adventure was coming to an end. I will remember not only the vivid impressions and events, but also the people with whom I shared them, and with whom we truly bonded during this week; as well as the professionals who guided us through the various locations of the spaceport and answered our most technical questions.

I am grateful to my company and everyone involved in organizing this trip for such a vivid experience. I will take a long time to process my emotions, but it is already clear that the "roar of the cosmodrome" will forever remain in my memory."

The spacecraft docked to the Rassvet module of the Russian segment of the ISS on the same day at 15:38 Moscow time. The spacecraft was met by the crew of the 73rd long-term expedition, consisting of Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov, Alexey Zubritsky, and Oleg Platonov, as well as NASA astronauts Zina Cardman, Michael Finc, and Jonathan Kim, and JAXA astronaut Kimiya Yui.

During the 74th long-term expedition to the ISS, which will last 242 days, an extensive program of scientific and applied research is planned, and the cosmonauts will conduct two spacewalks.

We are glad that this is the event that marks the end of the 20th anniversary year for the company "Metropolis". We wish each of our team to find inspiration in the small and large events that occur in life, and to set goals that allow us to achieve cosmic results in any field!