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In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 35-36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA conducts a leak check of his Russian Sokol launch and entry suit March 17 as he runs through a systems dress rehearsal called a “fit check” Cassidy, Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov and Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin are preparing for launch to the International Space Station from Baikonur on March 29, Kazakh time. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e017253

In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 35-36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA conducts a leak check of his Russian Sokol launch and entry suit March 17 as he runs More

In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 35-36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA has a playful moment with his Russian Sokol launch and entry suit March 17 during a systems dress rehearsal called a “fit check”. Cassidy, Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov and Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin are preparing for launch to the International Space Station from Baikonur on March 29, Kazakh time. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e017260

In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 35-36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA has a playful moment with his Russian Sokol launch and entry suit March 17 during a s More

In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the Expedition 35-36 prime crewmembers pose for pictures March 17 during a systems dress rehearsal called a “fit check”. Left to right are NASA Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy, Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov and Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin. Cassidy, Vinogradov and Misurkin are preparing for launch to the International Space Station from Baikonur on March 29, Kazakh time. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e017256

In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the Expedition 35-36 prime crewmembers pose for pictures March 17 during a systems dress rehearsal called a “fit check”. Left to right are N More

NASA’s prime and backup crewmembers for Expedition 35-36 share a quiet moment March 17 during a systems dress rehearsal called a “fit check” at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. NASA Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy (left), Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov and Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin are preparing for launch to the International Space Station from Baikonur on March 29, Kazakh time. Cassidy’s backup, Michael Hopkins (right), is scheduled to launch to the station in September. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e017259

NASA’s prime and backup crewmembers for Expedition 35-36 share a quiet moment March 17 during a systems dress rehearsal called a “fit check” at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. NASA Flight Engineer Chris More

In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 35-36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA climbs into his Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft March 17 for a systems dress rehearsal called a “fit check”. Cassidy, Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov and Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin are preparing for launch to the International Space Station from Baikonur on March 29, Kazakh time. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e017257

In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 35-36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA climbs into his Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft March 17 for a systems dress rehearsal calle More

In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 35-36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA is all business as he conducts a leak check of his Russian Sokol launch and entry suit March 17 during a systems dress rehearsal called a “fit check” Cassidy, Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov and Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin are preparing for launch to the International Space Station from Baikonur on March 29, Kazakh time. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e017254

In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 35-36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA is all business as he conducts a leak check of his Russian Sokol launch and entry sui More

In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 35-36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA keeps an eye on cockpit displays in his Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft March 17 during a systems dress rehearsal called a “fit check”. Cassidy, Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov and Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin are preparing for launch to the International Space Station from Baikonur on March 29, Kazakh time. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e017258

In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 35-36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA keeps an eye on cockpit displays in his Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft March 17 during a sy More

In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Russian technicians assist Expedition 35-36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA March 17 as he suits up for a systems dress rehearsal called a “fit check” Cassidy, Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov and Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin are preparing for launch to the International Space Station from Baikonur on March 29, Kazakh time. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e017252

In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Russian technicians assist Expedition 35-36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA March 17 as he suits up for a systems dress rehearsal cal More

At their Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, the Expedition 35-36 prime and backup crewmembers pose for pictures March 18 following the traditional ceremony in which they raised the flags of Russia, the United States and Kazakhstan. From left to right are prime crewmembers Chris Cassidy of NASA, Pavel Vinogradov and Alexander Misurkin and backup crewmembers Oleg Kotov, Sergey Ryazanskiy and Michael Hopkins of NASA. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e017250

At their Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, the Expedition 35-36 prime and backup crewmembers pose for pictures March 18 following the traditional ceremony in which they raised the flags of More

At their Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, the Expedition 35-36 prime and backup crewmembers prepare to hoist the flags of Russia, the United States and Kazakhstan March 18 during traditional ceremonies. From left to right are backup crewmember Oleg Kotov (partially hidden), prime crewmember Pavel Vinogradov, prime NASA crewmember Chris Cassidy, his backup, Michael Hopkins of NASA, prime crewmember Alexander Misurkin and his backup, Sergey Ryazanskiy. Cassidy, Vinogradov and Misurkin are preparing for launch to the International Space Station from Baikonur on March 29, Kazakh time. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e017249

At their Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, the Expedition 35-36 prime and backup crewmembers prepare to hoist the flags of Russia, the United States and Kazakhstan March 18 during tradition More

At the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 35-36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA (left) displays a flight data file book titled “Fast Rendezvous” March 21 as he, Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov (center) and Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin (right) train for launch to the International Space Station March 29, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome for a 5 ½ month mission. The “fast rendezvous” refers to the expedited four-orbit, six-hour trip from the launch pad to reach the International Space Station March 29 through an accelerated rendezvous burn plan, the first time this approach will be used for crews flying to the international complex. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e018010

At the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 35-36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA (left) displays a flight data file book titled “Fast Rendezvous” March 21 as he, Soyuz Comman More

At their Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 35-36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA (left), Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov (center) and Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin (right) review expedited rendezvous procedures with trainers March 21 as they prepare for launch to the International Space Station March 29, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome for a 5 ½ month mission. The expedited rendezvous refers to the accelerated four-orbit, six-hour trip from the launch pad to reach the International Space Station March 29 through an revised rendezvous burn plan, the first time this approach will be used for crews flying to the international complex. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e018011

At their Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 35-36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA (left), Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov (center) and Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin (r More

At the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 35-36 Chris Cassidy of NASA takes a turn in a spinning chair March 21 as he trains for launch to the International Space Station with his crewmates, Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov and Alexander Misurkin March 29, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The three crewmembers will spend 5 ½ months on the orbital laboratory. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e018014

At the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 35-36 Chris Cassidy of NASA takes a turn in a spinning chair March 21 as he trains for launch to the International Space Station with his More

Behind their Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 35-36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA (left), Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov (center) and Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin (right) pause after a traditional tree-planting ceremony for Cassidy March 21, part of the ceremonial activities accompanying their training for launch to the International Space Station March 29, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The three crewmembers will spend 5 ½ months on the orbital laboratory. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e018008

Behind their Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 35-36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA (left), Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov (center) and Flight Engineer Alexander Misurki More

Behind their Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 35-36 Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin (left), Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov (center) and Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA (right) pose for pictures March 21 by a replica of a Russian Proton rocket as they train for launch to the International Space Station March 29, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome for a 5 ½ month mission. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e018009

Behind their Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 35-36 Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin (left), Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov (center) and Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NAS More

Behind the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 35-36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA (right) plants a tree bearing his name in a traditional ceremony March 21, assisted by his crewmates, Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin (left) and Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov (center). The three crewmembers are training for launch to the International Space Station March 29, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome for a 5 ½ month mission. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e018007

Behind the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 35-36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA (right) plants a tree bearing his name in a traditional ceremony March 21, assisted by hi More

At their Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 35-36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA (left), Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov (center) and Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin (right) stroll down the Walk of Cosmonauts March 21 as they continue their training for launch to the International Space Station March 29, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The trio will spend 5 ½ months in orbit. Pictured in the rear left of the picture is Cassidy’s backup, Michael Hopkins of NASA. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e018006

At their Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 35-36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA (left), Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov (center) and Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin (r More

At the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 35-36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA plays a game of billiards March 21 as he takes a break from training for his launch to the International Space Station with crewmates Pavel Vinogradov and Alexander Misurkin March 29, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The three crewmembers will spend 5 ½ months on the orbital laboratory. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e018012

At the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 35-36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA plays a game of billiards March 21 as he takes a break from training for his launch to the In More

At their Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 35-36 Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov (left) takes a turn at ping-pong March 21 as he and NASA Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy relax for a few minutes while preparing for their launch to the International Space Station with crewmate Alexander Misurkin March 29, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The three crewmembers will spend 5 ½ months on the orbital laboratory. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e018013

At their Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 35-36 Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov (left) takes a turn at ping-pong March 21 as he and NASA Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy relax for More

At the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft is lowered into place March 22 for its encapsulation into the third stage of a Soyuz booster rocket. The operation was part of the preparation for the Soyuz’ launch March 29, Kazakh time, to carry Expedition 35/36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA, Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov and Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin to the International Space Station for a 5 ½ month mission. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e018016

At the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft is lowered into place March 22 for its encapsulation into the third stage of a Soyuz booster rocket. The operat More

At the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, engineers swarm over the Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft March 22 as they prepare the vehicle for its encapsulation into the third stage of a Soyuz booster rocket. The operation was part of the preparation for the Soyuz’ launch March 29, Kazakh time, to carry Expedition 35/36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA, Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov and Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin to the International Space Station for a 5 ½ month mission. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e018018

At the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, engineers swarm over the Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft March 22 as they prepare the vehicle for its encapsulation into the third stage of a Soyuz More

At the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft is encapsulated into the third stage of a Soyuz booster rocket March 22. The operation was part of the preparation for the Soyuz’ launch March 29, Kazakh time, to carry Expedition 35/36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA, Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov and Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin to the International Space Station for a 5 ½ month mission. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e018019

At the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft is encapsulated into the third stage of a Soyuz booster rocket March 22. The operation was part of the preparat More

With the Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft safely nestled inside, the upper stage of a Soyuz booster rocket stands at the ready in the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan following the encapsulation of the Soyuz vehicle March 22. The operation was part of the preparation for the Soyuz’ launch March 29, Kazakh time, to carry Expedition 35/36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA, Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov and Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin to the International Space Station for a 5 ½ month mission. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e018021

With the Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft safely nestled inside, the upper stage of a Soyuz booster rocket stands at the ready in the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan following the encapsul More

Soyuz TMA-08M at Baikonur. NASA public domain image colelction.

At the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft stands ready to be moved into place March 22 for its encapsulation into the third stage of a Soyuz booster rock More

With the Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft nestled inside inside, the upper stage of a Soyuz booster rocket is hoisted into place March 22 at the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The operation was part of the preparation for the Soyuz’ launch March 29, Kazakh time, to carry Expedition 35/36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA, Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov and Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin to the International Space Station for a 5 ½ month mission. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e018020

With the Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft nestled inside inside, the upper stage of a Soyuz booster rocket is hoisted into place March 22 at the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The operat More

At the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft (top) is aligned March 22 for its encapsulation into the third stage of a Soyuz booster rocket. The operation was part of the preparation for the Soyuz’ launch March 29, Kazakh time, to carry Expedition 35/36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA, Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov and Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin to the International Space Station for a 5 ½ month mission. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e018017

At the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft (top) is aligned March 22 for its encapsulation into the third stage of a Soyuz booster rocket. The operation w More

At the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 35/36 Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov (left) and Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA (right) discuss the ISS Progress 51 cargo ship in front of them March 23 that is being prepared for launch to the International Space Station in late April and which will be greeted by the trio and three other crewmates. Cassidy, Vinogradov and Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin are in the final days of training for their launch March 29, Kazakh time, to the International Space Station from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in their Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft for a 5 ½ month mission. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e018157

At the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 35/36 Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov (left) and Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA (right) discuss the ISS Progress 51 cargo More

At the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 35/36 Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin (left), Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov (center) and Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA (right) pose for pictures March 23 in front of the Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft in which they will launch to the International Space Station March 29, Kazakh time, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The three crewmembers will spend 5 ½ months on the orbital laboratory. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e018158

At the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 35/36 Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin (left), Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov (center) and Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of N More

At the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 35/36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA enters the Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft March 23 during a final inspection of the vehicle. Cassidy, Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin and Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov will launch in the Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft to the International Space Station on March 29, Kazakh time, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome for a 5 ½ month mission on the orbital laboratory. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e018160

At the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 35/36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA enters the Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft March 23 during a final inspection of the vehicle More

At the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 35/36 Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin (left), Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov (center) and Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA (right) pose for pictures March 23 in front of the ISS Progress 51 cargo ship that is being prepared for launch to the International Space Station in late April and which will be greeted by the trio and three other crewmates. Cassidy, Vinogradov and Misurkin are in the final days of training for their launch March 29, Kazakh time, to the International Space Station from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in their Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft for a 5 ½ month mission. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e018156

At the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 35/36 Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin (left), Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov (center) and Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of N More

Surrounded by technicians at the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 35/36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA (left), Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin (center) and Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov (right) discuss the preparation of their Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft March 23 during a final inspection of the vehicle. The three crewmembers will launch in the Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft to the International Space Station on March 29, Kazakh time, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome for a 5 ½ month mission on the orbital laboratory. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e018159

Surrounded by technicians at the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 35/36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA (left), Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin (center) and Soy More

Inside the Gagarin Museum at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the Expedition 35/36 prime and backup crewmembers pose for pictures March 23, part of the ceremonial pre-launch activities in Baikonur. Pictured from left to right are prime crewmembers Chris Cassidy of NASA, Alexander Misurkin and Pavel Vinogradov and backup crewmembers Oleg Kotov, Sergey Ryazanskiy and Michael Hopkins of NASA. Cassidy, Vinogradov and Misurkin are preparing for launch to the International Space Station March 29, Kazakh time, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in their Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft for a 5 ½ month mission on the orbital laboratory. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e018162

Inside the Gagarin Museum at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the Expedition 35/36 prime and backup crewmembers pose for pictures March 23, part of the ceremonial pre-launch activities in Baikonur. Pictur More

Inside the Gagarin Museum at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 35/36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA conducts a traditional signing March 23 of a wall-size photo of a Soyuz spacecraft launch, part of the ceremonial pre-launch activities in Baikonur. Cassidy, Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov and Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin are preparing for their launch to the International Space Station on March 29, Kazakh time, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in their Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft for a 5 ½ month mission on the orbital laboratory. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e018161

Inside the Gagarin Museum at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 35/36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA conducts a traditional signing March 23 of a wall-size photo of a Soyuz spacecraft laun More

Expedition 35 Preflight. NASA public domain image colelction.

Expedition 35 crew members NASA Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy, left, Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov and Russian Flight Alexander Misurkin, right, depart the Cosmonaut Hotel to suit-up for their soyuz launch t More

Expedition 35 Preflight. NASA public domain image colelction.

Expedition 35 crew members NASA Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy, left, Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov and Russian Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin, right, walk out of building 254 of the Baikonur Cosmodrome t More

Expedition 35 Preflight. NASA public domain image colelction.

Expedition 35 crew members NASA Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy, left, and Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov wave farewell to family and friends as they depart the Cosmonaut Hotel to suit-up for their soyuz launch More

Expedition 35 Preflight. NASA public domain image colelction.

Expedition 35 crew members NASA Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy, left, Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov and Russian Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin, right, walk out of building 254 of the Baikonur Cosmodrome t More

Expedition 35 Preflight. NASA public domain image colelction.

Expedition 35 crew members NASA Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy waves farewell to family and friends as he departs the Cosmonaut Hotel to suit-up for his soyuz launch to the International Space Station, Thursday, More

Aboard a Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center jet, Expedition 36/37 Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin affixes his Soyuz crew patch to the wall of the cabin May 16 as he, Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency (center) and NASA Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg (right) flew from Star City, Russia to Baikonur, Kazakhstan to their launch site. They are preparing for their launch May 29, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft to begin a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e033436

Aboard a Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center jet, Expedition 36/37 Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin affixes his Soyuz crew patch to the wall of the cabin May 16 as he, Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the Europ More

At the airport in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg of NASA (left) Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin (center) and Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency (right) are greeted by Russian space officials May 16 as they arrived at the launch site for final preparations for their launch May 29, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft to begin a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e033437

At the airport in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg of NASA (left) Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin (center) and Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency (r More

At the airport in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg of NASA (far right on the left) Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin (far right in the center) and Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency (far right on the right) are greeted by local residents May 16 as they arrived at the launch site for final preparations for their launch May 29, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft to begin a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e033438

At the airport in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg of NASA (far right on the left) Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin (far right in the center) and Flight Engineer Luca Parmita More

At the airport in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, backup Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (left) backup Soyuz Commander Mikhail Tyurin (center) and backup Flight Engineer Rick Mastracchio (right) are greeted by local residents May 16 as they arrived at the launch site for final preparations for the launch of prime crewmembers Karen Nyberg of NASA, Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin and Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency May 29, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft to begin a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e033439

At the airport in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, backup Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (left) backup Soyuz Commander Mikhail Tyurin (center) and backup Flight En More

In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg of NASA (left), Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin (center) and Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency (right) pose for pictures during a suited dress rehearsal “fit check” exercise May 17. The trio will launch May 29, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft to begin a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e033637

In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg of NASA (left), Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin (center) and Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano More

In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg of NASA poses with her Russian Sokol launch and entry suit May 17 during a suited dress rehersal “fit check” exercise. Nyberg, Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin and Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency will launch May 29, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft to begin a 5 ½ mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e033638

In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg of NASA poses with her Russian Sokol launch and entry suit May 17 during a suited dress rehers More

In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency poses with his Russian Sokol launch and entry suit May 17 during a suited dress rehersal “fit check” exercise. Parmitano, Flight Engineer Karen Nybergof NASA and Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin will launch May 29, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft to begin a 5 ½ mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e033639

In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency poses with his Russian Sokol launch and entry suit May 17 durin More

In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg of NASA (left), Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin (center) and Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency (right) pose for pictures during a suited dress rehearsal “fit check” exercise May 17. The trio will launch May 29, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft to begin a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e033640

In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg of NASA (left), Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin (center) and Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano More

In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg of NASA suits up for a dress rehearsal exercise May 17 during a suited “fit check”. Nyberg, Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin and Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency will launch May 29, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft to begin a 5 ½ mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e033628

In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg of NASA suits up for a dress rehearsal exercise May 17 during a suited “fit check”. Nyberg, So More

In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency checks his gloves during a portion of a suited dress rehearsal “fit check” exercise May 17. Parmitano, NASA Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg and Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin will launch May 29, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft to begin a 5 ½ mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e033629

In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency checks his gloves during a portion of a suited dress rehearsal More

In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg of NASA checks her gloves during a portion of a suited dress rehearsal “fit check” exercise May 17. Nyberg, European Space Agency Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano and Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin will launch May 29, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft to begin a 5 ½ mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e033631

In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg of NASA checks her gloves during a portion of a suited dress rehearsal “fit check” exercise Ma More

In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency strikes a thoughtful pose during a portion of a suited dress rehearsal “fit check” exercise May 17. Parmitano, NASA Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg and Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin will launch May 29, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft to begin a 5 ½ mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e033630

In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency strikes a thoughtful pose during a portion of a suited dress re More

In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency is seen inside the Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft May 17 as he, NASA Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg and Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin conducted a suited “fit check” dress rehearsal exercise. The trio will launch May 29, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz vehicle to begin a 5 ½ mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e033635

In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency is seen inside the Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft May 17 as he, NASA More

In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg of NASA climbs aboard the Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft May 17 during a suited dress rehearsal “fit check” exercise. Nyberg, Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency and Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin will launch May 29, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz vehicle to begin a 5 ½ mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e033634

In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg of NASA climbs aboard the Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft May 17 during a suited dress rehearsal “fit More

In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg of NASA is seen inside the Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft May 17 as she, Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin and Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency conducted a suited “fit check” dress rehearsal exercise. The trio will launch May 29, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz vehicle to begin a 5 ½ mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e033636

In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg of NASA is seen inside the Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft May 17 as she, Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurc More

In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency suits up for a dress rehearsal exercise May 17 during a suited “fit check”. Parmitano, NASA Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg and Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin will launch May 29, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft to begin a 5 ½ mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e033627

In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency suits up for a dress rehearsal exercise May 17 during a suited More

In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg of NASA strikes a thoughtful pose during a portion of a suited dress rehearsal “fit check” exercise May 17. Nyberg, Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency and Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin will launch May 29, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft to begin a 5 ½ mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e033632

In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg of NASA strikes a thoughtful pose during a portion of a suited dress rehearsal “fit check” exe More

In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg of NASA (left), Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin (center) and Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency (right) pose for pictures during a suited dress rehearsal “fit check” exercise May 17. The trio will launch May 29, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft to begin a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e033633

In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg of NASA (left), Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin (center) and Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano More

Outside their Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, the Expedition 36/37 prime and backup crewmembers conducted the traditional raising of flags of their countries and host country Kazakhstan May 18 as they prepare for the launch of NASA Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg, Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin and Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency May 29, Kazakh time, in the Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft to begin a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. Hoisting the flags of Russia, the U.S., Italy and Kazakhstan from left to right are Yurchikhin, backup Soyuz Commander Mikhail Tyurin, Nyberg, backup NASA Flight Engineer Rick Mastracchio, Parmitano and backup Flight Engineer Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e033646

Outside their Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, the Expedition 36/37 prime and backup crewmembers conducted the traditional raising of flags of their countries and host country Kazakhstan M More

Outside their Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, the Expedition 36/37 prime and backup crewmembers conducted the traditional raising of flags of their countries and host country Kazakhstan May 18 as they prepare for the launch of NASA Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg, Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin and Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency May 29, Kazakh time, in the Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft to begin a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. Hoisting the flags of Russia, the U.S., Italy and Kazakhstan from left to right are Yurchikhin, backup Soyuz Commander Mikhail Tyurin, Nyberg, backup NASA Flight Engineer Rick Mastracchio, Parmitano and backup Flight Engineer Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e033645

Outside their Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, the Expedition 36/37 prime and backup crewmembers conducted the traditional raising of flags of their countries and host country Kazakhstan M More

Outside their Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, the Expedition 36/37 prime and backup crewmembers conducted the traditional raising of flags of their countries and host country Kazakhstan May 18 and participated in other ceremonies. From left to right are prime Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin, prime Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg of NASA, prime Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency, and backup crewmembers Mikhail Tyurin, Rick Mastracchio of NASA and Flight Engineer Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. Nyberg, Yurchikhin and Parmitano are preparing for launch May 29, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft to begin a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e033647

Outside their Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, the Expedition 36/37 prime and backup crewmembers conducted the traditional raising of flags of their countries and host country Kazakhstan M More

Expedition 36/37 backup crewmembers Rick Mastracchio of NASA (left), Mikhail Tyurin (center) and Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (right) pose for pictures in front of a statue of Russian space Great Designer Sergei Korolev during a tour of the city of Baikonur, Kazakhstan May 19. The trio is serving as backups for prime crewmembers Karen Nyberg of NASA, Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin and Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency, who are preparing for launch May 29, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft to begin a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e033641

Expedition 36/37 backup crewmembers Rick Mastracchio of NASA (left), Mikhail Tyurin (center) and Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (right) pose for pictures in front of a statue of Russian More

Expedition 36/37 backup crewmembers Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (left and Rick Mastracchio of NASA (right) take interest in a model of a Soyuz rocket May 19 during a tour of the Korolev Museum at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Wakata, Mastracchio and Mikhail Tyurin are serving as backups for prime crewmembers Karen Nyberg of NASA, Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin and Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency, who are preparing for launch May 29, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft to begin a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e033642

Expedition 36/37 backup crewmembers Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (left and Rick Mastracchio of NASA (right) take interest in a model of a Soyuz rocket May 19 during a tour of the Koro More

Joining their unidentified Kazakh host (left), Expedition 36/37 backup crewmembers Rick Mastracchio of NASA (center) and Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (right) enjoy a traditional Kazakh meal in a Kazakh tent known as a “yurt” in Baikonur, Kazakhstan May 19. Their visit, along with backup crewmate Mikhail Tyurin was part of traditional ceremonies as they serve as backups to prime crewmembers Karen Nyberg of NASA, Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin and Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency, who are preparing for launch May 29, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft to begin a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e033644

Joining their unidentified Kazakh host (left), Expedition 36/37 backup crewmembers Rick Mastracchio of NASA (center) and Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (right) enjoy a traditional Kazak More

Standing next to a model of a Soyuz rocket, Expedition 36/37 backup crewmembers Mikhail Tyurin (left), Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (center) and Rick Mastracchio of NASA (right) take in a tour of the Korolev Museum at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan May 19. The trio is serving as backups for prime crewmembers Karen Nyberg of NASA, Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin and Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency, who are preparing for launch May 29, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft to begin a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e033643

Standing next to a model of a Soyuz rocket, Expedition 36/37 backup crewmembers Mikhail Tyurin (left), Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (center) and Rick Mastracchio of NASA (right) take More

Behind the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg of NASA plants a tree in her name in a traditional ceremony May 22 as backup crewmember Mikhail Tyurin (left), prime Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency (second from left) and prime Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin look on. Nyberg, Yurchikhin and Parmitano are preparing for their launch May 29, Kazakh time, in the Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft to begin a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e048271

Behind the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg of NASA plants a tree in her name in a traditional ceremony May 22 as backup crewmember Mikhail Ty More

Behind the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency (left), Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin (center) and Flight Karen Nyberg of NASA (right) pose for pictures May 22 following a traditional tree-planting ceremony. Nyberg, Yurchikhin and Parmitano are preparing for their launch May 29, Kazakh time, in the Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft to begin a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e048272

Behind the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency (left), Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin (center) and Flight Karen More

Behind the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, the Expedition 36/37 backup and prime crewmembers pose for pictures in front of a Proton rocket statue May 22 following traditional ceremonies. From left to right are backup Flight Engineer Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, backup Soyuz Commander Mikhail Tyurin, backup Flight Engineer Rick Mastracchio of NASA, prime Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg of NASA, prime Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin and prime Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency. Nyberg, Yurchikhin and Parmitano are preparing for their launch May 29, Kazakh time, in the Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft to begin a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e048273

Behind the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, the Expedition 36/37 backup and prime crewmembers pose for pictures in front of a Proton rocket statue May 22 following traditional ceremonies. More

In the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency (left) and Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg of NASA (right) focus on a game of checkers May 22 as they and Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin prepare for their launch May 29, Kazakh time, in the Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft to begin a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e048266

In the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency (left) and Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg of NASA (right) focus on a game More

In the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 backup Soyuz Commander Mikhail Tyurin (center) practices a Soyuz docking on a laptop simulator May 22 as he and his backup crewmates, Flight Engineer Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (left) and Flight Engineer Rick Mastracchio of NASA look on. The trio is serving as backups to Karen Nyberg of NASA, Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency and Fyodor Yurchikhin, who are preparing for their launch May 29, Kazakh time, in the Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft to begin a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e048262

In the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 backup Soyuz Commander Mikhail Tyurin (center) practices a Soyuz docking on a laptop simulator May 22 as he and his backup crewmate More

In the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency strikes a pose during an exercise session May 22 as he, Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg of NASA and Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin prepare for their launch May 29, Kazakh time, in the Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft to begin a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e048268

In the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency strikes a pose during an exercise session May 22 as he, Flight Engineer More

In the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency takes a turn at the billiards table May 22 as he, Mikhail Tyurin and Rick Mastracchio of NASA serve as backups to prime Expedition 36/37 crewmembers Karen Nyberg of NASA, Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency and Fyodor Yurchikhin, who are preparing for their launch May 29, Kazakh time, in the Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft to begin a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e048265

In the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency takes a turn at the billiards table May 22 as he, Mikhail Tyurin and Rick Mastracchio of NAS More

Behind their Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, the Expedition 36/37 prime and backup crewmembers take a stroll down the tree-lined Walk of Cosmonauts May 22. From left to right are backup Flight Engineer Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, backup Soyuz Commander Mikhail Tyurin, prime Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg of NASA, backup Flight Engineer Rick Mastracchio of NASA, prime Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin and prime Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency. Nyberg, Yurchikhin and Parmitano are preparing for their launch May 29, Kazakh time, in the Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft to begin a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e048269

Behind their Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, the Expedition 36/37 prime and backup crewmembers take a stroll down the tree-lined Walk of Cosmonauts May 22. From left to right are backup F More

In the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg of NASA takes a turn at a game of darts May 22 as Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency (background) looks on. Nyberg, Parmitano and Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin are preparing for launch May 29, Kazakh time, in the Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft to begin a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e048264

In the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg of NASA takes a turn at a game of darts May 22 as Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space More

In the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin (center) practices a Soyuz docking on a laptop simulator May 22 as he, NASA Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg (left) and Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency (right) prepare for their launch May 29, Kazakh time, in the Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft to begin a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e048260

In the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin (center) practices a Soyuz docking on a laptop simulator May 22 as he, NASA Flight Engineer Karen More

In the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg of NASA gets in some exercise May 22 as she, Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency and Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin prepare for their launch May 29, Kazakh time, in the Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft to begin a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e048267

In the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg of NASA gets in some exercise May 22 as she, Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agen More

Behind the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency plants a tree in his name in a traditional ceremony May 22 as backup crewmates Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (left) and Mikhail Tyurin (hidden) look on, along with prime Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchkhin (third from right), backup crewmember Rick Mastracchio of NASA (second from right) and prime Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg of NASA (far right). Nyberg, Yurchikhin and Parmitano are preparing for their launch May 29, Kazakh time, in the Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft to begin a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e048270

Behind the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency plants a tree in his name in a traditional ceremony May 22 as backu More

In the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg of NASA gets in a round of Ping-Pong May 22 as she limbers up for launch May 29, Kazakh time, in the Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft with Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin and Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency to begin a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. In the background at the billiards table are backup crewmembers Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (left) and Rick Mastracchio of NASA (right). NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e048263

In the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg of NASA gets in a round of Ping-Pong May 22 as she limbers up for launch May 29, Kazakh time, in the S More

In the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin (center) listens to a briefing on flight data file material from training instructors May 22 as he, NASA Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg (left) and Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency (right) prepare for their launch May 29, Kazakh time, in the Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft to begin a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e048261

In the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin (center) listens to a briefing on flight data file material from training instructors May 22 as h More

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the Expedition 36/37 prime and backup crews pose for pictures in the Korolev Museum May 24 following the final “fit check” dress rehearsal before launch. From left to right are backup Flight Engineer Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, backup Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin and backup Flight Engineer Rick Mastracchio of NASA, prime Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg of NASA, prime Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin and prime Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency. Nyberg, Yurchikhin and Parmitano are preparing for launch May 29, Kazakh time, in the Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft to begin a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e048421

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the Expedition 36/37 prime and backup crews pose for pictures in the Korolev Museum May 24 following the final “fit check” dress rehearsal before launch. From left to r More

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg of NASA (left), Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin (center) and Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency (right) pose for pictures in front of their Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft May 24 as they complete the second “fit check” dress rehearsal in advance of their launch. Nyberg , Yurchikhin and Parmitano are preparing for launch May 29, Kazakh time, in the Soyuz to begin a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e048417

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg of NASA (left), Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin (center) and Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency More

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency boards the Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft in the Integration Facility May 24 in support of the final “fit check” dress rehearsal by the prime and backup crews. Parmitano, and his crewmates, Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg of NASA and Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin are preparing for launch May 29, Kazakh time, in the Soyuz to begin a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e048418

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency boards the Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft in the Integration Facility May 24 in support of the fi More

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 backup Flight Engineer Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency boards the Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft in the Integration Facility May 24 in support of the final “fit check” dress rehearsal by the prime and backup crews. Wakata is supporting prime crewmembers Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg of NASA, Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin and Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency, who are preparing for launch May 29, Kazakh time, in the Soyuz to begin a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e048416

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 backup Flight Engineer Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency boards the Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft in the Integration Facility May 24 i More

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg of NASA signs a mural depicting a Soyuz rocket launch in the Korolev Museum May 24 following the final “fit check” dress rehearsal before launch. Nyberg, Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency and Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin are preparing for launch May 29, Kazakh time, in the Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft to begin a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e048424

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg of NASA signs a mural depicting a Soyuz rocket launch in the Korolev Museum May 24 following the final “fit check” dress r More

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency signs a mural depicting a Soyuz rocket launch in the Korolev Museum May 24 following the final “fit check” dress rehearsal before launch. Parmitano, NASA Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg and Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin are preparing for launch May 29, Kazakh time, in the Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft to begin a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e048423

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency signs a mural depicting a Soyuz rocket launch in the Korolev Museum May 24 following the fi More

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg of NASA boards the Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft in the Integration Facility May 24 in support of the final “fit check” dress rehearsal by the prime and backup crews. Nyberg and her crewmates, Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin and Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency are preparing for launch May 29, Kazakh time, in the Soyuz to begin a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e048419

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg of NASA boards the Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft in the Integration Facility May 24 in support of the final “fit check” dress r More

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg of NASA (left), Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin (center) and Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency (right) pose for pictures in the Korolev Museum May 24 following the final “fit check” dress rehearsal before launch. Nyberg, Yurchikhin and Parmitano are preparing for launch May 29, Kazakh time, in the Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft to begin a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e048422

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg of NASA (left), Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin (center) and Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency More

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg of NASA (left), Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin (center) and Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency (right) pose for pictures May 24 in front of the first stage engines of their Soyuz rocket in the Integration Facility following the final “fit check” dress rehearsal by the prime and backup crews. Nyberg, Yurchikhin and Parmitano are preparing for launch May 29, Kazakh time, in the Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft to begin a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e048420

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg of NASA (left), Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin (center) and Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency More

Expedition 36 Soyuz, Russian Space Program

The 32 rocket engine nozzles are seen at the bottom of the Soyuz rocket as is is assembled horizontally at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Saturday, May 25, 2013, in Kazakhstan. The launch of the Soyuz rocket to the I More

Expedition 36 Soyuz, Russian Space Program

Engineers attach the escape tower to the Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft during assembly of the Soyuz rocket at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Saturday, May 25, 2013, in Kazakhstan. The launch of the Soyuz rocket to the Int More

Expedition 36 Soyuz, Russian Space Program

Engineers prepare a stage of the Soyuz rocket for assembly at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Saturday, May 25, 2013, in Kazakhstan. The launch of the Soyuz rocket and TMA-09M spacecraft to the International Space Sta More

Expedition 36 Soyuz, Russian Space Program

An technician helps guide the Soyuz rocket during the assembly at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Saturday, May 25, 2013, in Kazakhstan. The launch of the Soyuz rocket and TMA-09M spacecraft to the International Space More

Expedition 36 Soyuz, Russian Space Program

The Soyuz rocket with the Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft are seen after final assembly at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Saturday, May 25, 2013, in Kazakhstan. The launch of the Soyuz rocket and TMA-09M spacecraft to the I More

Expedition 36 Soyuz, Russian Space Program

Engineers work on the emergency escape tower of the Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft prior to it being mated to the Soyuz rocket at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Saturday, May 25, 2013, in Kazakhstan. The launch of the Soyu More

Expedition 36 Soyuz, Russian Space Program

An technician helps guide the Soyuz rocket during the assembly at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Saturday, May 25, 2013, in Kazakhstan. The launch of the Soyuz rocket and TMA-09M spacecraft to the International Space More

Expedition 36 Soyuz, Russian Space Program

Engineers attach the escape tower to the Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft during assembly of the Soyuz rocket at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Saturday, May 25, 2013, in Kazakhstan. The launch of the Soyuz rocket to the Int More

Expedition 36 Soyuz, Russian Space Program

Technicians work on the Soyuz rocket during the assembly at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Saturday, May 25, 2013, in Kazakhstan. The launch of the Soyuz rocket and TMA-09M spacecraft to the International Space Stati More

Expedition 36 Soyuz, Russian Space Program

Technicians work on the Soyuz rocket during the assembly at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Saturday, May 25, 2013, in Kazakhstan. The launch of the Soyuz rocket and TMA-09M spacecraft to the International Space Stati More

Flanked by his crewmates, Expedition 37/38 Flight Engineer Michael Hopkins of NASA (left) and Flight Engineer Sergey Ryazanskiy (right), Soyuz Commander Oleg Kotov (center) is greeted by Russian space officials at an airport in Baikonur, Kazakhstan Sept. 13 near the launch site at the Baikonur Cosmodrome after a flight from their training base outside Moscow earlier in the day. Hopkins, Kotov and Ryazanskiy will launch from Baikonur Sept. 26, Kazakh time, in the Soyuz TMA-10M spacecraft for a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e087546

Flanked by his crewmates, Expedition 37/38 Flight Engineer Michael Hopkins of NASA (left) and Flight Engineer Sergey Ryazanskiy (right), Soyuz Commander Oleg Kotov (center) is greeted by Russian space officials More

At an airport near their launch site at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the Expedition 37/38 prime and backup crewmembers pose for pictures Sept. 13 after arriving in Baikonur on a flight from their training base outside Moscow. From left to right are backup Flight Engineer Oleg Artemyev, backup Soyuz Commander Alexander Skvortsov, backup Flight Engineer Steve Swanson of NASA, prime Flight Engineer Michael Hopkins of NASA, prime Soyuz Commander Oleg Kotov and prime Flight Engineer Sergey Ryazanskiy. Hopkins, Kotov and Ryazanskiy will launch from Baikonur Sept. 26, Kazakh time, in the Soyuz TMA-10M spacecraft for a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e087550

At an airport near their launch site at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the Expedition 37/38 prime and backup crewmembers pose for pictures Sept. 13 after arriving in Baikonur on a flight from their trai More

Expedition 37/38 Flight Engineer Michael Hopkins of NASA provides a fist pump Sept. 13 after his arrival at an airport in Baikonur, Kazakhstan near the launch site at the Baikonur Cosmodrome following a flight from his training base outside of Moscow with his crewmates, Soyuz Commander Oleg Kotov and Flight Engineer Sergey Ryazanskiy. Hopkins, Kotov and Ryazanskiy will launch from Baikonur Sept. 26, Kazakh time, in the Soyuz TMA-10M spacecraft for a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e087547

Expedition 37/38 Flight Engineer Michael Hopkins of NASA provides a fist pump Sept. 13 after his arrival at an airport in Baikonur, Kazakhstan near the launch site at the Baikonur Cosmodrome following a flight More

Flying aboard a Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center plane to his launch site at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 37/38 Flight Engineer Michael Hopkins of NASA affixes a crew patch sticker to the cabin wall Sept. 13 following his departure from his training base outside Moscow with his crewmates, Soyuz Commander Oleg Kotov and Flight Engineer Sergey Ryazanskiy. Hopkins, Kotov and Ryazanskiy will launch from Baikonur Sept. 26, Kazakh time, in the Soyuz TMA-10M spacecraft for a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e087545

Flying aboard a Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center plane to his launch site at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 37/38 Flight Engineer Michael Hopkins of NASA affixes a crew patch sticker to the More