Russian cosmonaut Sergei Ryzhikov has officially assumed command of the International Space Station (ISS), as announced by Roscosmos on Tuesday. This significant transfer of leadership took place during a formal ceremony aboard the orbital outpost.
«Today, Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergei Ryzhikov took command of the ISS from JAXA astronaut Takuya Onishi,» the state corporation stated in its announcement.
Roscosmos further detailed that the ISS commander bears crucial responsibilities, including overseeing the entire flight program, managing the multinational crew across both the Russian and American segments of the station, and promptly informing the Mission Control Centers in Korolev, Russia, and Houston, USA, in the event of any unforeseen or emergency situations.
During the traditional change-of-command ceremony, Onishi symbolically handed over a «key to the station» to Ryzhikov. The crew collectively marked the occasion by striking the ship`s bell, a long-standing naval tradition adapted for space exploration.
This marks Ryzhikov`s third journey into space. He has been serving on the International Space Station since April 2025, alongside his fellow Russian cosmonaut Alexey Zubritsky and NASA astronaut Jonathan Kim. Ryzhikov is slated to serve as the ISS commander until his planned return to Earth in December.
Meanwhile, Takuya Onishi is expected to return to Earth soon aboard an American Crew Dragon spacecraft. He will be joined by Russian cosmonaut Kirill Peskov and American astronauts Anne McClain and Nicole Ayers.
