description ISS Expedition 1 Overview
The first resident expedition to the International Space Station launched aboard Soyuz TM-31 on October 31, 2000. NASA astronaut William Shepherd commanded Expedition 1, joined by Russian cosmonauts Yuri Gidzenko and Sergei Krikalev. Gidzenko commanded the Soyuz flight to the station, while Krikalev served as flight engineer. Their arrival on November 2 began continuous human occupancy aboard the ISS.
The crew spent approximately 136 days on the station, establishing the routines and operating its systems as the orbital complex continued to develop. They returned to Earth aboard Space Shuttle Discovery on STS-102 in March 2001. Expedition 1 is significant for turning the ISS from an assembly project visited by crews into an inhabited workplace. It offers a useful starting point for understanding how international cooperation and daily station operations became part of long-duration spaceflight.
help ISS Expedition 1 FAQ
Who were the crew members of ISS Expedition 1?
The inaugural expedition consisted of NASA astronaut William Shepherd as the commander, alongside Russian cosmonauts Yuri Gidzenko and Sergei Krikalev. The three-person crew launched on October 31, 2000, marking the beginning of continuous human habitation on the International Space Station.
What spacecraft did ISS Expedition 1 use to reach the station?
The crew launched aboard the Russian spacecraft Soyuz TM-31 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. They successfully docked with the station's Zvezda service module two days later to begin their long-duration stay in orbit.
How long did ISS Expedition 1 stay in space?
Expedition 1 lasted for nearly 141 days, with the crew living aboard the station from early November 2000 until March 2001. Their primary mission was to activate critical life support systems and prepare the orbital outpost for the arrival of future crews.
When did the Expedition 1 crew return to Earth?
The crew returned to Earth on March 21, 2001, touching down via the Space Shuttle Discovery during the STS-102 mission. The shuttle had delivered the new Expedition 2 crew to relieve Shepherd, Gidzenko, and Krikalev of their duties.
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