Expedition 23 was a mission to the International Space Station (ISS) that took place from May to November 2009. It involved a crew of six astronauts and cosmonauts who conducted scientific research and technology demonstrations in microgravity. The mission aimed to support ongoing experiments in various fields, including biology, physics, and Earth sciences. During Expedition 23, the crew also performed maintenance tasks on the ISS and participated in spacewalks to upgrade the station's systems. The mission was significant for enhancing international cooperation in space exploration, involving contributions from agencies like NASA and Roscosmos.