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#3234a - (30 October 2014) --- At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 42/43 backup Flight Engineer Kjell Lindgren of NASA answers questions from reporters in front of a Soyuz simulator October 30 as part of his final qualification exams for flight. He along with Oleg Kononenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and Kimiya Yui of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (not pictured) are the backups to the prime crew --- Terry Virts of NASA, Anton Shkaplerov of Roscosmos and Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency --- who are in the final stages of training for launch November 24, Kazakh time, in the Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft to begin a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Photo credit: NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2014e089253

#3234a - (30 October 2014) --- At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Cente...

#3234a - (30 October 2014) --- At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 42/43 backup Flight Engineer Kjell Lindgren of NASA answers questions from reporters in front of a Soyuz ... More

1910: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 41/42 prime crewmembers Alexander Samokutyaev of the Russian Federal Space Agency (left), Elena Serova of Roscosmos (center) and NASA’s Barry Wilmore (right) listen to instructions from officials September 3 at the start of final qualification exams. They will launch September 26 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Kazakh time, in the Soyuz TMA-14M spacecraft for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. Serova will become only the fourth Russian woman to fly in space and the first Russian woman to conduct a long duration mission on the station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2014e079010

1910: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, ...

1910: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 41/42 prime crewmembers Alexander Samokutyaev of the Russian Federal Space Agency (left), Elena Serova of Roscosmos (center) and ... More

1929: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 41/42 prime crewmembers Barry Wilmore of NASA (left), Elena Serova of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) and Alexander Samokutyaev of Roscosmos (right) pose for pictures and answer reporters’ questions September 3 at the start of final qualification exams. They will launch September 26 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Kazakh time, in the Soyuz TMA-14M spacecraft for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. Serova will become only the fourth Russian woman to fly in space and the first Russian woman to conduct a long duration mission on the station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2014e079011

1929: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, ...

1929: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 41/42 prime crewmembers Barry Wilmore of NASA (left), Elena Serova of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) and Al... More

1944: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 41/42 prime crewmembers Barry Wilmore of NASA (left), Elena Serova of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) and Alexander Samokutyaev of Roscosmos (right) pose for pictures and wave to reporters and well-wishers September 3 at the start of final qualification exams. They will launch September 26 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Kazakh time, in the Soyuz TMA-14M spacecraft for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. Serova will become only the fourth Russian woman to fly in space and the first Russian woman to conduct a long duration mission on the station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2014e079012

1944: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, ...

1944: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 41/42 prime crewmembers Barry Wilmore of NASA (left), Elena Serova of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) and Al... More

1826: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 41/42 backup crewmembers Scott Kelly of NASA (left), Gennady Padalka of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) and Mikhail Kornienko of Roscosmos (right) clasp hands as they pose for pictures in front of a Soyuz simulator September 3 at the start of final qualification exams. They are the backups to NASA’s Barry Wilmore and Alexander Samokutyaev and Elena Serova of Roscosmos, who will launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan September 26, Kazakh time, in the Soyuz TMA-14M spacecraft for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. Kelly and Kornienko will launch next March to spend a full year in space. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2014e079005

1826: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, ...

1826: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 41/42 backup crewmembers Scott Kelly of NASA (left), Gennady Padalka of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) and ... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 33/34 backup crewmembers Alexander Misurkin (left), Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov (center) and Chris Cassidy of NASA (right) pose for pictures in front of a Soyuz spacecraft mockup September 20, 2012 during final qualification exams. They are serving as understudies for prime crewmembers Oleg Novitskiy, Evgeny Tarelkin and Kevin Ford of NASA who are scheduled to launch on October 23 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan in their Soyuz TMA-06 spacecraft to the International Space Station. Stephanie Stoll/NASA jsc2012e216500

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedit...

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 33/34 backup crewmembers Alexander Misurkin (left), Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov (center) and Chris Cassidy of NASA (right) pose for... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 33/34 backup crewmember Chris Cassidy of NASA strikes a thoughtful pose as he participates in final qualification exams in front of a Soyuz spacecraft mockup September 20, 2012. Cassidy and Russian cosmonauts Pavel Vinogradov and Alexander Misurkin are serving as understudies for prime crewmembers Oleg Novitskiy, Evgeny Tarelkin and Kevin Ford of NASA who are scheduled to launch on October 23 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan in their Soyuz TMA-06 spacecraft to the International Space Station. Stephanie Stoll/NASA jsc2012e216501

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedit...

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 33/34 backup crewmember Chris Cassidy of NASA strikes a thoughtful pose as he participates in final qualification exams in front of a So... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, backup Expedition 36/37 crewmembers Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (left), Soyuz Commander Mikhail Tyurin (center) and Rick Mastracchio of NASA (right) pose for pictures May 6 during qualification exams in support of the prime crewmembers preparing for launch to the International Space Station. The prime crew, NASA’s Karen Nyberg, Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin and Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency are set to launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan in their Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft on May 29, Kazakh time, for a five-month mission. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2013e028654

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, backup ...

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, backup Expedition 36/37 crewmembers Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (left), Soyuz Commander Mikhail Tyurin (center) and Ric... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 36/37 prime crewmembers Karen Nyberg of NASA (left), Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin (center) and Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency (right) check in May 6 for another round of qualification exams as they prepare for launch to the International Space Station. Nyberg, Yurchikhin and Parmitano are set to launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan in their Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft on May 29, Kazakh time, for a five-month mission. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2013e028656

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedit...

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 36/37 prime crewmembers Karen Nyberg of NASA (left), Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin (center) and Luca Parmitano of the European Space... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, 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) flash a thumbs up sign May 6 as they conduct another round of qualification exams. The three crewmembers are set to launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan in their Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft on May 29, Kazakh time, for a five-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2013e028659

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedit...

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg of NASA (left), Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin (center) and Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the ... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 37/38 backup crewmembers Flight Engineer Steve Swanson of NASA, Soyuz Commander Alexander Skvortsov (center) and Flight Engineer Oleg Artemyev clasp hands Sept. 3 during a round of qualification exams. The trio is serving as backups to the prime crew – Soyuz Commander Oleg Kotov, Flight Engineer Sergey Ryazanskiy and Flight Engineer Michael Hopkins of NASA -- who will launch to the International Space Station Sept. 26 in their Soyuz TMA-10M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakshtan. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2013e079231

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedit...

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 37/38 backup crewmembers Flight Engineer Steve Swanson of NASA, Soyuz Commander Alexander Skvortsov (center) and Flight Engineer Oleg Ar... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 37/38 Soyuz Commander Oleg Kotov (center) signs in Sept. 3 prior to the start of a round of qualification exams for his launch to the International Space Station later this month. Looking on are his crewmates, Flight Engineer Sergey Ryazanskiy (left) and NASA Flight Engineer Michael Hopkins (right). The trio is in the final weeks of training for launch Sept. 26 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan in the Soyuz TMA-10M spacecraft. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2013e079233

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedit...

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 37/38 Soyuz Commander Oleg Kotov (center) signs in Sept. 3 prior to the start of a round of qualification exams for his launch to the In... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, the Expedition 37/38 prime crewmembers check in with Russian officials Sept. 3 prior to the start of a round of qualification exams for their launch to the International Space Station later this month. Flight Engineer Sergey Ryazanskiy (left), Soyuz Commander Oleg Kotov (center) and NASA Flight Engineer Michael Hopkins (right) are in the final weeks of training for their launch Sept. 26 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan in their Soyuz TMA-10M spacecraft. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2013e079235

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, the Exp...

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, the Expedition 37/38 prime crewmembers check in with Russian officials Sept. 3 prior to the start of a round of qualification exams for their launc... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, the Expedition 37/38 prime crewmembers check in with Russian officials Sept. 3 prior to the start of a round of qualification exams for their launch to the International Space Station later this month. Flight Engineer Sergey Ryazanskiy (far left), Soyuz Commander Oleg Kotov (left and center) and NASA Flight Engineer Michael Hopkins (left and far right) are greeted by GCTC Director Sergei Krikalev (right in blue suit) and NASA astronaut Shannon Walker (right and to Krilkalev’s left). Kotov, Ryazanskiy and Hopkins are scheduled to launch Sept. 26 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan in their Soyuz TMA-10M spacecraft. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2013e079232

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, the Exp...

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, the Expedition 37/38 prime crewmembers check in with Russian officials Sept. 3 prior to the start of a round of qualification exams for their launc... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 37/38 backup Soyuz Commander Alexander Skvortsov (center) signs in Sept. 3 to initiate a round of qualification exams as his backup crewmates, NASA Flight Engineer Steve Swanson (left) and Flight Engineer Oleg Artemyev (right) look on. The trio is serving as backups to the prime crew – Soyuz Commander Oleg Kotov, Flight Engineer Sergey Ryazanskiy and Flight Engineer Michael Hopkins of NASA -- who will launch to the International Space Station Sept. 26 in their Soyuz TMA-10M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakshtan. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2013e079230

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedit...

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 37/38 backup Soyuz Commander Alexander Skvortsov (center) signs in Sept. 3 to initiate a round of qualification exams as his backup crew... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 37/38 Flight Engineer Michael Hopkins of NASA (right) signs in Sept. 3 prior to the start of a round of qualification exams for his launch to the International Space Station later this month. Looking on are his crewmates, Flight Engineer Sergey Ryazanskiy (left) and Soyuz Commander Oleg Kotov (center). The trio is in the final weeks of training for launch Sept. 26 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan in the Soyuz TMA-10M spacecraft. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2013e079234

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedit...

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 37/38 Flight Engineer Michael Hopkins of NASA (right) signs in Sept. 3 prior to the start of a round of qualification exams for his laun... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 38/39 Flight Engineer Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (left), Soyuz Commander Mikhail Tyurin (center) and NASA Flight Engineer Rick Mastracchio (right) clasp hands in front of a Soyuz simulator Oct. 17, 2013 as they conducted final qualification exams. The trio is scheduled to launch on Nov. 7, local time, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on the Soyuz TMA-11M spacecraft for a six-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2013e090231

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedit...

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 38/39 Flight Engineer Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (left), Soyuz Commander Mikhail Tyurin (center) and NASA F... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 38/39 Flight Engineer Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (left), Soyuz Commander Mikhail Tyurin (center) and NASA Flight Engineer Rick Mastracchio (right) clasp hands in front of a Soyuz simulator Oct. 17, 2013 as they conducted final qualification exams. The trio is scheduled to launch on Nov. 7, local time, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on the Soyuz TMA-11M spacecraft for a six-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2013e090232

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedit...

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 38/39 Flight Engineer Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (left), Soyuz Commander Mikhail Tyurin (center) and NASA F... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 39/40 Flight Engineer Oleg Artemyev of Roscosmos (left), Soyuz Commander Alexander Skvortsov (center) and NASA Flight Engineer Steve Swanson (right) wave to reporters March 4 at the start of two days of qualification exams. The trio is preparing for launch to the International Space Station from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on March 26, Kazakh time in their Soyuz TMA-12M spacecraft for a six-month mission. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2014e024134

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedit...

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 39/40 Flight Engineer Oleg Artemyev of Roscosmos (left), Soyuz Commander Alexander Skvortsov (center) and NASA Flight Engineer Steve Swa... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 39/40 backup crewmembers Barry Wilmore of NASA (left), Soyuz Commander Alexander Samokutyaev of Roscosmos (center) and Flight Engineer Elena Serova of Roscosmos (right) report to Russian space officials March 4 as they prepare to conduct the first of two days of qualification exams. The prime crew – Steve Swanson of NASA and Alexander Skvortsov and Oleg Artemyev of Roscosmos are preparing to launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan to the International Space Station on March 26, Kazakh time, on their Soyuz TMA-12M spacecraft for a six-month mission. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2014e024127

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedit...

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 39/40 backup crewmembers Barry Wilmore of NASA (left), Soyuz Commander Alexander Samokutyaev of Roscosmos (center) and Flight Engineer E... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 39/40 Soyuz Commander Alexander Skvortsov of Roscosmos studies a flight plan March 5 as he and his crewmates, NASA Flight Engineer Steve Swanson and Flight Engineer Oleg Artemyev of Roscosmos conducted final qualification exams. They are preparing for their launch to the International Space Station from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Star City, Russia March 26, Kazakh time, on the Soyuz TMA-12M spacecraft for a six-month mission. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2014e024820

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedit...

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 39/40 Soyuz Commander Alexander Skvortsov of Roscosmos studies a flight plan March 5 as he and his crewmates, NASA Flight Engineer Steve... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia and with the visage of Yuri Gagarin, the first human to fly in space, looking down on them, Expedition 39/40 Flight Engineer Steve Swanson of NASA (left), Soyuz Commander Alexander Skvortsov of Roscosmos (center) and Oleg Artemyev of Roscosmos (right) clasp hands March 5 prior to qualification exams. They are preparing for their launch to the International Space Station from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Star City, Russia March 26, Kazakh time, on the Soyuz TMA-12M spacecraft for a six-month mission. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2014e024817

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia and with...

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia and with the visage of Yuri Gagarin, the first human to fly in space, looking down on them, Expedition 39/40 Flight Engineer Steve Swanson of NASA (... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia and with the visage of Yuri Gagarin, the first human to fly in space, looking down on them, Expedition 39/40 Flight Engineer Steve Swanson of NASA (left), Soyuz Commander Alexander Skvortsov of Roscosmos (center) and Oleg Artemyev of Roscosmos (right) field questions from reporters March 5 prior to qualification exams. They are preparing for their launch to the International Space Station from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Star City, Russia March 26, Kazakh time, on the Soyuz TMA-12M spacecraft for a six-month mission. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2014e024816

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia and with...

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia and with the visage of Yuri Gagarin, the first human to fly in space, looking down on them, Expedition 39/40 Flight Engineer Steve Swanson of NASA (... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia and with the visage of Yuri Gagarin, the first human to fly in space, looking down on them, Expedition 39/40 Flight Engineer Steve Swanson of NASA (left), Soyuz Commander Alexander Skvortsov of Roscosmos (center) and Oleg Artemyev of Roscosmos (right) field questions from reporters March 5 prior to qualification exams. They are preparing for their launch to the International Space Station from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Star City, Russia March 26, Kazakh time, on the Soyuz TMA-12M spacecraft for a six-month mission. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2014e024815

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia and with...

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia and with the visage of Yuri Gagarin, the first human to fly in space, looking down on them, Expedition 39/40 Flight Engineer Steve Swanson of NASA (... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, a flight instructor monitors the progress of qualification exams for the Expedition 39/40 crewmembers March 5 as the crew heads into the homestretch of its training. Flight Engineer Steve Swanson of NASA, Soyuz Commander Alexander Skvortsov of Roscosmos and Oleg Artemyev of Roscosmos are preparing for their launch to the International Space Station from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Star City, Russia March 26, Kazakh time, on the Soyuz TMA-12M spacecraft for a six-month mission. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2014e024821

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, a fligh...

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, a flight instructor monitors the progress of qualification exams for the Expedition 39/40 crewmembers March 5 as the crew heads into the homestretc... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 39/40 Flight Engineer Steve Swanson of NASA (left), Soyuz Commander Alexander Skvortsov of Roscosmos (center) and Oleg Artemyev of Roscosmos (right) field questions from reporters March 5 prior to qualification exams. They are preparing for their launch to the International Space Station from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Star City, Russia March 26, Kazakh time, on the Soyuz TMA-12M spacecraft for a six-month mission. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2014e024814

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedit...

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 39/40 Flight Engineer Steve Swanson of NASA (left), Soyuz Commander Alexander Skvortsov of Roscosmos (center) and Oleg Artemyev of Rosco... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, flight instructors monitor the progress of qualification exams for the Expedition 39/40 crewmembers March 5 as the crew heads into the homestretch of its training. Flight Engineer Steve Swanson of NASA, Soyuz Commander Alexander Skvortsov of Roscosmos and Oleg Artemyev of Roscosmos are preparing for their launch to the International Space Station from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Star City, Russia March 26, Kazakh time, on the Soyuz TMA-12M spacecraft for a six-month mission. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2014e024822

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, flight ...

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, flight instructors monitor the progress of qualification exams for the Expedition 39/40 crewmembers March 5 as the crew heads into the homestretch ... More

0176: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 40/41 backup crewmembers Terry Virts of NASA (left), Soyuz commander Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) and Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency (right) pose for pictures in front of a Soyuz simulator May 6 as part of their final qualification exams for flight. They are the backups to the prime crew --- Reid Wiseman of NASA, Max Suraev of Roscosmos and Alexander Gerst of the European Space Agency --- who are in the final stages of training for launch May 29, Kazakh time, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on the Soyuz TMA-13M spacecraft to spend 5 ½ months on the International Space Station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2014e041919

0176: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, ...

0176: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 40/41 backup crewmembers Terry Virts of NASA (left), Soyuz commander Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscos... More

0215: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 40/41 backup crewmembers Terry Virts of NASA (left), Soyuz commander Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) and Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency (right) chat in front of a Soyuz simulator May 6 during their final qualification exams for flight. They are the backups to the prime crew --- Reid Wiseman of NASA, Max Suraev of Roscosmos and Alexander Gerst of the European Space Agency --- who are in the final stages of training for launch May 29, Kazakh time, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on the Soyuz TMA-13M spacecraft to spend 5 ½ months on the International Space Station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2014e041922

0215: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, ...

0215: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 40/41 backup crewmembers Terry Virts of NASA (left), Soyuz commander Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscos... More

0198: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 40/41 backup crewmembers Terry Virts of NASA (left), Soyuz commander Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) and Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency (right) pose for pictures in front of a Soyuz simulator May 6 as part of their final qualification exams for flight. They are the backups to the prime crew --- Reid Wiseman of NASA, Max Suraev of Roscosmos and Alexander Gerst of the European Space Agency --- who are in the final stages of training for launch May 29, Kazakh time, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on the Soyuz TMA-13M spacecraft to spend 5 ½ months on the International Space Station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2014e041920

0198: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, ...

0198: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 40/41 backup crewmembers Terry Virts of NASA (left), Soyuz commander Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscos... More

0332: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 40/41 prime crewmembers Alexander Gerst of the European Space Agency (left), Soyuz commander Max Suraev of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) and Reid Wiseman of NASA (right) share a light moment with reporters May 6 as they prepare for the first of two days of final qualification exams. The trio is in the homestretch of training for launch May 29, Kazakh time, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on the Soyuz TMA-13M spacecraft to spend 5 ½ months on the International Space Station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2014e041926

0332: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, ...

0332: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 40/41 prime crewmembers Alexander Gerst of the European Space Agency (left), Soyuz commander Max Suraev of the Russian Federal Sp... More

0165: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 40/41 backup crewmember Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency (foreground) walks to a Soyuz simulator May 6 along with Soyuz commander Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, second from the right) to begin two days of final qualification exams. Cristoforetti, Shkaplerov and Terry Virts of NASA are serving as backups to the prime crewmembers --- Reid Wiseman of NASA, Max Suraev of Roscosmos and Alexander Gerst of the European Space Agency, who are preparing for launch on May 29, Kazakh time, on the Soyuz TMA-13M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2014e041930

0165: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, ...

0165: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 40/41 backup crewmember Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency (foreground) walks to a Soyuz simulator May 6 along w... More

0213: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 40/41 backup crewmembers Terry Virts of NASA (left), Soyuz commander Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) and Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency (right) pose for pictures in front of a Soyuz simulator May 6 as part of their final qualification exams for flight. They are the backups to the prime crew --- Reid Wiseman of NASA, Max Suraev of Roscosmos and Alexander Gerst of the European Space Agency --- who are in the final stages of training for launch May 29, Kazakh time, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on the Soyuz TMA-13M spacecraft to spend 5 ½ months on the International Space Station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2014e041921

0213: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, ...

0213: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 40/41 backup crewmembers Terry Virts of NASA (left), Soyuz commander Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscos... More

0313: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 40/41 prime crewmembers Alexander Gerst of the European Space Agency (left), Soyuz commander Max Suraev of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) and Reid Wiseman of NASA (right) share a light moment with reporters May 6 as they prepare for the first of two days of final qualification exams. The trio is in the homestretch of training for launch May 29, Kazakh time, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on the Soyuz TMA-13M spacecraft to spend 5 ½ months on the International Space Station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2014e041925

0313: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, ...

0313: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 40/41 prime crewmembers Alexander Gerst of the European Space Agency (left), Soyuz commander Max Suraev of the Russian Federal Sp... More

0562: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 40/41 Flight Engineer Alexander Gerst of the European Space Agency (standing, left), Soyuz commander Max Suraev of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, seated) and Flight Engineer Reid Wiseman of NASA (right) prepare to enter a Soyuz spacecraft simulator May 7 as part of their final qualification exams. The trio is preparing for their launch on May 29, Kazakh time, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazkahstan on the Soyuz TMA-13M spacecraft for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2014e042059

0562: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, ...

0562: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 40/41 Flight Engineer Alexander Gerst of the European Space Agency (standing, left), Soyuz commander Max Suraev of the Russian Fe... More

0607: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, training instructors watch a bank of monitors May 7 as Expedition 40/41 Soyuz commander Max Suraev of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), Flight Engineer Reid Wiseman of NASA and Flight Engineer Alexander Gerst of the European Space Agency conduct final qualification exams. The trio is preparing for their launch on May 29, Kazakh time, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazkahstan on the Soyuz TMA-13M spacecraft for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2014e042061

0607: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, ...

0607: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, training instructors watch a bank of monitors May 7 as Expedition 40/41 Soyuz commander Max Suraev of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Rosc... More

0233A: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 40/41 prime crewmembers Alexander Gerst of the European Space Agency (left), Soyuz commander Max Suraev of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) and Reid Wiseman of NASA (right) report for duty May 6 as they prepare for the first of two days of final qualification exams. The trio is in the homestretch of training for launch May 29, Kazakh time, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on the Soyuz TMA-13M spacecraft to spend 5 ½ months on the International Space Station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2014e041923

0233A: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia,...

0233A: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 40/41 prime crewmembers Alexander Gerst of the European Space Agency (left), Soyuz commander Max Suraev of the Russian Federal S... More

0577A: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 40/41 Soyuz commander Max Suraev of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, seated) waits his turn as crewmate Alexander Gerst of the European Space Agency climbs aboard a Soyuz spacecraft simulator to join Flight Engineer Reid Wiseman of NASA May 7 as part of their final qualification exams. The trio is preparing for their launch on May 29, Kazakh time, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazkahstan on the Soyuz TMA-13M spacecraft for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2014e042060

0577A: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia,...

0577A: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 40/41 Soyuz commander Max Suraev of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, seated) waits his turn as crewmate Alexander Ge... More

1952: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 41/42 prime crewmembers Barry Wilmore of NASA (left), Elena Serova of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) and Alexander Samokutyaev of Roscosmos (right) pose for pictures and wave to reporters and well-wishers September 3 at the start of final qualification exams. They will launch September 26 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Kazakh time, in the Soyuz TMA-14M spacecraft for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. Serova will become only the fourth Russian woman to fly in space and the first Russian woman to conduct a long duration mission on the station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2014e079013

1952: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, ...

1952: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 41/42 prime crewmembers Barry Wilmore of NASA (left), Elena Serova of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) and Al... More

1863: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 41/42 prime crewmembers Alexander Samokutyaev of the Russian Federal Space Agency (left), NASA’s Barry Wilmore (center) and Elena Serova of Roscosmos (right) listen to instructions from officials September 3 at the start of final qualification exams. They will launch September 26 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Kazakh time, in the Soyuz TMA-14M spacecraft for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. Serova will become only the fourth Russian woman to fly in space and the first Russian woman to conduct a long duration mission on the station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2014e079006

1863: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, ...

1863: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 41/42 prime crewmembers Alexander Samokutyaev of the Russian Federal Space Agency (left), NASA’s Barry Wilmore (center) and Elena... More

1811: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 41/42 backup crewmembers Scott Kelly of NASA (left), Gennady Padalka of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) and Mikhail Kornienko of Roscosmos (right) pose for pictures in front of a Soyuz simulator September 3 as they began final qualification exams. They are the backups to NASA’s Barry Wilmore and Alexander Samokutyaev and Elena Serova of Roscosmos, who will launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan September 26, Kazakh time, in the Soyuz TMA-14M spacecraft for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. Kelly and Kornienko will launch next March to spend a full year in space. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2014e079003

1811: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, ...

1811: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 41/42 backup crewmembers Scott Kelly of NASA (left), Gennady Padalka of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) and ... More

1867: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 41/42 Flight Engineer Elena Serova of the Russian Federal Space Agency (right) flashes a smile September 3 as NASA’s Barry Wilmore (left) looks on at the start of final qualification exams. Along with Alexander Samokutyaev of Roscosmos, they will launch September 26 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Kazakh time, in the Soyuz TMA-14M spacecraft for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. Serova will become only the fourth Russian woman to fly in space and the first Russian woman to conduct a long duration mission on the station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2014e079007

1867: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, ...

1867: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 41/42 Flight Engineer Elena Serova of the Russian Federal Space Agency (right) flashes a smile September 3 as NASA’s Barry Wilmor... More

1782: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 41/42 backup crewmembers Scott Kelly of NASA (left), Gennady Padalka of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) and Mikhail Kornienko of Roscosmos (right) listen to initial instructions from officials September 3 as they began final qualification exams. They are the backups to NASA’s Barry Wilmore and Alexander Samokutyaev and Elena Serova of Roscosmos, who will launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan September 26, Kazakh time, in the Soyuz TMA-14M spacecraft for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. Kelly and Kornienko will launch next March to spend a full year in space. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2014e079001

1782: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, ...

1782: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 41/42 backup crewmembers Scott Kelly of NASA (left), Gennady Padalka of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) and ... More

1812: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 41/42 backup crewmembers Scott Kelly of NASA (left), Gennady Padalka of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) and Mikhail Kornienko of Roscosmos (right) pose for pictures in front of a Soyuz simulator September 3 as they began final qualification exams. They are the backups to NASA’s Barry Wilmore and Alexander Samokutyaev and Elena Serova of Roscosmos, who will launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan September 26, Kazakh time, in the Soyuz TMA-14M spacecraft for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. Kelly and Kornienko will launch next March to spend a full year in space. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2014e079004

1812: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, ...

1812: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 41/42 backup crewmembers Scott Kelly of NASA (left), Gennady Padalka of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) and ... More

2094: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 41/42 prime crewmembers Barry Wilmore of NASA (left), Alexander Samokutyaev of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) and Elena Serova of Roscosmos (right) clasp hands during a photo opportunity September 4 at the start of the second day of final qualification exams. The trio will launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Sept. 26, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz TMA-14M spacecraft for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. Serova will become the fourth Russian woman to fly in space and the first Russian woman to conduct a long duration mission on the station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2014e079363

2094: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, ...

2094: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 41/42 prime crewmembers Barry Wilmore of NASA (left), Alexander Samokutyaev of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, cente... More

2059: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 41/42 Flight Engineer Elena Serova of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) signs in September 4 at the start of the second day of final qualification exams. Looking on is crewmate Barry Wilmore of NASA (left). Soyuz Commander Alexander Samokutyaev of Roscosmos is hidden from view. The trio will launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Sept. 26, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz TMA-14M spacecraft for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. Serova will become the fourth Russian woman to fly in space and the first Russian woman to conduct a long duration mission on the station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2014e079362

2059: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, ...

2059: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 41/42 Flight Engineer Elena Serova of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) signs in September 4 at the start of the secon... More

2097: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 41/42 prime crewmembers Barry Wilmore of NASA (left), Alexander Samokutyaev of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) and Elena Serova of Roscosmos (right) clasp hands during a photo opportunity September 4 at the start of the second day of final qualification exams. The trio will launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Sept. 26, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz TMA-14M spacecraft for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. Serova will become the fourth Russian woman to fly in space and the first Russian woman to conduct a long duration mission on the station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2014e079364

2097: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, ...

2097: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 41/42 prime crewmembers Barry Wilmore of NASA (left), Alexander Samokutyaev of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, cente... More

2102: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 41/42 prime crewmembers Barry Wilmore of NASA (left), Alexander Samokutyaev of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) and Elena Serova of Roscosmos (right) clasp hands during a photo opportunity September 4 at the start of the second day of final qualification exams. The trio will launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Sept. 26, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz TMA-14M spacecraft for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. Serova will become the fourth Russian woman to fly in space and the first Russian woman to conduct a long duration mission on the station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2014e079365

2102: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, ...

2102: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 41/42 prime crewmembers Barry Wilmore of NASA (left), Alexander Samokutyaev of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, cente... More

2112: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 41/42 Flight Engineer Barry Wilmore of NASA flashes a thumbs up sign September 4 at the start of the second day of final qualification exams. Wilmore, Soyuz Commander Alexander Samokutyaev of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and Flight Engineer Elena Serova of Roscosmos will launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Sept. 26, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz TMA-14M spacecraft for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. Serova will become the fourth Russian woman to fly in space and the first Russian woman to conduct a long duration mission on the station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2014e079366

2112: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, ...

2112: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 41/42 Flight Engineer Barry Wilmore of NASA flashes a thumbs up sign September 4 at the start of the second day of final qualific... More

2037: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 41/42 prime crewmembers Barry Wilmore of NASA (left), Alexander Samokutyaev of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) and Elena Serova of Roscosmos (right) listen to instructions from officials September 4 at the start of the second day of final qualification exams. The trio will launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Sept. 26, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz TMA-14M spacecraft for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. Serova will become the fourth Russian woman to fly in space and the first Russian woman to conduct a long duration mission on the station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2014e079360

2037: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, ...

2037: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 41/42 prime crewmembers Barry Wilmore of NASA (left), Alexander Samokutyaev of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, cente... More

2044: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 41/42 Soyuz Commander Alexander Samokutyaev of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) holds up a sign-in card September 4 at the start of the second day of final qualification exams. Looking on are crewmates Barry Wilmore of NASA (left) and Elena Serova of Roscosmos (right). The trio will launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Sept. 26, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz TMA-14M spacecraft for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. Serova will become the fourth Russian woman to fly in space and the first Russian woman to conduct a long duration mission on the station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2014e079361

2044: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, ...

2044: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 41/42 Soyuz Commander Alexander Samokutyaev of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) holds up a sign-in card Septe... More

#3241 - (30 October 2014) --- At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 42/43 backup crewmembers Kjell Lindgren of NASA (left), Soyuz Commander Oleg Kononenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) and Kimiya Yui of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (right) answer questions from reporters in front of a Soyuz simulator October 30 as part of their final qualification exams for flight. They are the backups to the prime crew --- Terry Virts of NASA, Anton Shkaplerov of Roscosmos and Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency --- who are in the final stages of training for launch November 24, Kazakh time, in the Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft to begin a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Photo credit: NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2014e089254

#3241 - (30 October 2014) --- At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center...

#3241 - (30 October 2014) --- At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 42/43 backup crewmembers Kjell Lindgren of NASA (left), Soyuz Commander Oleg Kononenko of the Russian Fede... More

3593: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 42/43 Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) studies systems manuals as he prepares to enter a Soyuz simulator October 31 for the second day of qualification exams. Shkaplerov, NASA Flight Engineer Terry Virts and European Space Agency Flight Engineer Samantha Cristoforetti are preparing for launch in the Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan Nov. 24, Kazakh time, for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2014e091111

3593: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, ...

3593: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 42/43 Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) studies systems manuals as he prepares to ... More

3608a: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 42/43 Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) flashes a thumbs up as he enters a Soyuz simulator October 31 for the second day of qualification exams. Overlooking Shkaplerov is a wall mural depicting the image of Yuri Gagarin, the first human to fly in space. Shkaplerov, NASA Flight Engineer Terry Virts and European Space Agency Flight Engineer Samantha Cristoforetti are preparing for launch in the Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan Nov. 24, Kazakh time, for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2014e091112

3608a: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia,...

3608a: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 42/43 Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) flashes a thumbs up as he enters a Soyuz ... More

3574a: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 42/43 Flight Engineer Terry Virts of NASA pauses to reflect as he prepares to enter a Soyuz simulator October 31 for the second day of qualification exams. Overlooking Virts is a wall mural depicting the image of Yuri Gagarin, the first human to fly in space. Virts, Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and European Space Agency Flight Engineer Samantha Cristoforetti are preparing for launch in the Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan Nov. 24, Kazakh time, for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2014e091110

3574a: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia...

3574a: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 42/43 Flight Engineer Terry Virts of NASA pauses to reflect as he prepares to enter a Soyuz simulator October 31 for the second... More

CG4G8713 --- (6 May 2015) --- At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 44/45 backup Soyuz Commander Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) and his crewmates, Timothy Peake of the European Space Agency (left) and Timothy Kopra of NASA (right), prepare to sign in for the first of two days of qualification exams. They are the backups to the prime crew --- Kjell Lindgren of NASA, Oleg Kononenko of Roscosmos and Kimya Yui of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency --- who are in the final stages of training for launch May 27, Kazakh time, in the Soyuz TMA-17M spacecraft to begin a five and a half month mission to the International Space Station. Photo credit: NASA/Seth Marcantel

CG4G8713 --- (6 May 2015) --- At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center...

CG4G8713 --- (6 May 2015) --- At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 44/45 backup Soyuz Commander Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) and ... More

CG4G8846_1 --- (6 May 2015) --- At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 44/45 backup crewmembers Timothy Peake of the European Space Agency (left), Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) and Timothy Kopra of NASA (right) pose for pictures in front of a Soyuz spacecraft simulator May 6 as part of their final qualification exams for flight. They are the backups to the prime crew --- Kjell Lindgren of NASA, Oleg Kononenko of Roscosmos and Kimya Yui of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency --- who are in the final stages of training for launch May 27, Kazakh time, in the Soyuz TMA-17M spacecraft to begin a five and a half month mission to the International Space Station. Photo credit: NASA/Seth Marcantel

CG4G8846_1 --- (6 May 2015) --- At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Cent...

CG4G8846_1 --- (6 May 2015) --- At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 44/45 backup crewmembers Timothy Peake of the European Space Agency (left), Yuri Malenchenko of the Russ... More

CG4G8796_1 --- (6 May 2015) --- At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 44/45 backup crewmembers Timothy Peake of the European Space Agency (left), Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) and Timothy Kopra of NASA (right) answer questions from reporters in front of a Soyuz spacecraft simulator May 6 as part of their final qualification exams for flight. They are the backups to the prime crew --- Kjell Lindgren of NASA, Oleg Kononenko of Roscosmos and Kimya Yui of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency --- who are in the final stages of training for launch May 27, Kazakh time, in the Soyuz TMA-17M spacecraft to begin a five and a half month mission to the International Space Station. Photo credit: NASA/Seth Marcantel

CG4G8796_1 --- (6 May 2015) --- At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Cent...

CG4G8796_1 --- (6 May 2015) --- At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 44/45 backup crewmembers Timothy Peake of the European Space Agency (left), Yuri Malenchenko of the Russ... More

CG4G8784 --- (6 May 2015) --- At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 44/45 backup Flight Engineer Timothy Peake of the European Space Agency answers questions from reporters in front of a Soyuz spacecraft simulator May 6 as part of his final qualification exams for flight. He along with Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and Timothy Kopra of NASA (not pictured) are the backups to the prime crew --- Kjell Lindgren of NASA, Oleg Kononenko of Roscosmos and Kimya Yui of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency --- who are in the final stages of training for launch May 27, Kazakh time, in the Soyuz TMA-17M spacecraft to begin a five and a half month mission to the International Space Station. Photo credit: NASA/Seth Marcantel

CG4G8784 --- (6 May 2015) --- At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center...

CG4G8784 --- (6 May 2015) --- At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 44/45 backup Flight Engineer Timothy Peake of the European Space Agency answers questions from reporters i... More

CG4G8787 --- (6 May 2015) --- At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 44/45 backup crewmembers Timothy Peake of the European Space Agency (left), Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) and Timothy Kopra of NASA (right) answer questions from reporters in front of a Soyuz spacecraft simulator May 6 as part of their final qualification exams for flight. They are the backups to the prime crew --- Kjell Lindgren of NASA, Oleg Kononenko of Roscosmos and Kimya Yui of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency --- who are in the final stages of training for launch May 27, Kazakh time, in the Soyuz TMA-17M spacecraft to begin a five and a half month mission to the International Space Station. Photo credit: NASA/Seth Marcantel

CG4G8787 --- (6 May 2015) --- At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Cente...

CG4G8787 --- (6 May 2015) --- At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 44/45 backup crewmembers Timothy Peake of the European Space Agency (left), Yuri Malenchenko of the Russi... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 46-47 backup crewmember Anatoly Ivanishin of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) signs in Nov. 19 for the start of qualification exams as his crewmates, Kate Rubins of NASA (left) and Takuya Onishi of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (right, behind Ivanishin) look on. They are the backups to the prime crewmembers, Yuri Malenchenko of Roscosmos, Tim Kopra of NASA and Tim Peake of the European Space Agency, who will launch Dec. 15 in the Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a six-month mission on the International Space Station..NASA/Seth Marcantel

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedit...

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 46-47 backup crewmember Anatoly Ivanishin of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) signs in Nov. 19 for the start of qualificatio... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 46-47 backup crewmembers Anatoly Ivanishin of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, left), Kate Rubins of NASA (center) and Takuya Onishi of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (right) listen to reporters questions in front of a Soyuz simulator Nov. 19 at the start of qualification exams. They are the backups to the prime crewmembers, Yuri Malenchenko of Roscosmos, Tim Kopra of NASA and Tim Peake of the European Space Agency, who will launch Dec. 15 in the Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a six-month mission on the International Space Station..NASA/Seth Marcantel

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedit...

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 46-47 backup crewmembers Anatoly Ivanishin of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, left), Kate Rubins of NASA (center) and Takuy... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 46-47 prime crewmembers Tim Kopra of NASA (left) and Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, right) answer reporters questions Nov. 19 at the start of two days of qualification exams. Along with Tim Peake of the European Space Agency, they will launch Dec. 15 in the Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a six-month mission on the International Space Station..NASA/Seth Marcantel

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedit...

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 46-47 prime crewmembers Tim Kopra of NASA (left) and Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, right) answer repo... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 46-47 backup crewmembers Kate Rubins of NASA (left), Anatoly Ivanishin of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) and Takuya Onishi of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (right) check in with Russian space officials Nov. 19 prior to their qualification exams. They are the backups to the prime crewmembers, Yuri Malenchenko of Roscosmos, Tim Kopra of NASA and Tim Peake of the European Space Agency, who will launch Dec. 15 in the Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a six-month mission on the International Space Station..NASA/Seth Marcantel

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedit...

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 46-47 backup crewmembers Kate Rubins of NASA (left), Anatoly Ivanishin of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) and Takuy... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 46-47 backup crewmember Takuya Onishi of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency signs in Nov. 19 for the start of qualification exams. Onishi as his crewmates, Kate Rubins of NASA and Anatoly Ivanishin of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) are the backups to the prime crewmembers, Yuri Malenchenko of Roscosmos, Tim Kopra of NASA and Tim Peake of the European Space Agency, who will launch Dec. 15 in the Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a six-month mission on the International Space Station..NASA/Seth Marcantel

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedit...

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 46-47 backup crewmember Takuya Onishi of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency signs in Nov. 19 for the start of qualification exams. O... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 46-47 backup crewmember Kate Rubins of NASA signs in Nov. 19 for the start of qualification exams as her crewmates, Anatoly Ivanishin of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and Takuya Onishi of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency look on. They are the backups to the prime crewmembers, Yuri Malenchenko of Roscosmos, Tim Kopra of NASA and Tim Peake of the European Space Agency, who will launch Dec. 15 in the Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a six-month mission on the International Space Station..NASA/Seth Marcantel

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedit...

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 46-47 backup crewmember Kate Rubins of NASA signs in Nov. 19 for the start of qualification exams as her crewmates, Anatoly Ivanishin of... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 46-47 prime crewmembers Tim Peake of the European Space Agency (left), Tim Kopra of NASA (center) and Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, right) pose for pictures Nov. 19 at the start of two days of qualification exams. They will launch Dec. 15 in the Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a six-month mission on the International Space Station..NASA/Seth Marcantel

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedit...

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 46-47 prime crewmembers Tim Peake of the European Space Agency (left), Tim Kopra of NASA (center) and Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Fe... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 46-47 prime crewmembers Tim Peake of the European Space Agency (left), Tim Kopra of NASA (center) and Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, right) answer reporters questions Nov. 19 at the start of two days of qualification exams. They will launch Dec. 15 in the Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a six-month mission on the International Space Station..NASA/Seth Marcantel

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedit...

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 46-47 prime crewmembers Tim Peake of the European Space Agency (left), Tim Kopra of NASA (center) and Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Fe... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 46-47 prime crewmembers Tim Peake of the European Space Agency (left), Tim Kopra of NASA (center) and Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, right) answer reporters questions Nov. 19 at the start of two days of qualification exams. They will launch Dec. 15 in the Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a six-month mission on the International Space Station..NASA/Seth Marcantel

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedit...

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 46-47 prime crewmembers Tim Peake of the European Space Agency (left), Tim Kopra of NASA (center) and Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Fe... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 46-47 backup crewmembers Anatoly Ivanishin of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, left) and Kate Rubins of NASA prepare to enter a Soyuz simulator Nov. 19 at the start of qualification exams. Along with Takuya Onishi of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, they are the backups to the prime crewmembers, Yuri Malenchenko of Roscosmos, Tim Kopra of NASA and Tim Peake of the European Space Agency, who will launch Dec. 15 in the Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a six-month mission on the International Space Station..NASA/Seth Marcantel

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedit...

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 46-47 backup crewmembers Anatoly Ivanishin of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, left) and Kate Rubins of NASA prepare to ente... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 46-47 crewmember Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) reviews procedures inside a Soyuz spacecraft simulator Nov. 20 at the start of final qualification exams. Malenchenko and crewmates Tim Peake of the European Space Agency and Tim Kopra of NASA will launch Dec. 15 on their Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft Dec. 15 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a six-month mission on the International Space Station..NASA/Seth Marcantel

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedit...

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 46-47 crewmember Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) reviews procedures inside a Soyuz spacecraft simulator... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 46-47 crewmember Tim Kopra of NASA reviews procedures inside a Soyuz spacecraft simulator Nov. 20 at the start of final qualification exams. Kopra and crewmates Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and Tim Peake of the European Space Agency will launch Dec. 15 on their Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft Dec. 15 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a six-month mission on the International Space Station..NASA/Seth Marcantel

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedit...

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 46-47 crewmember Tim Kopra of NASA reviews procedures inside a Soyuz spacecraft simulator Nov. 20 at the start of final qualification ex... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 46-47 crewmember Tim Peake of the European Space Agency listens to a reporters question Nov. 20 during the start of final qualification exams. Peake, Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) and Tim Kopra of NASA (right) will launch Dec. 15 on their Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft Dec. 15 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a six-month mission on the International Space Station..NASA/Seth Marcantel

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedit...

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 46-47 crewmember Tim Peake of the European Space Agency listens to a reporter’s question Nov. 20 during the start of final qualification... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 46-47 crewmember Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) responds to a reporters question Nov. 20 during final qualification exams. Looking on are crewmates Tim Peake of the European Space Agency (left) and Tim Kopra of NASA (right). The trio will launch Dec. 15 on their Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft Dec. 15 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a six-month mission on the International Space Station..NASA/Seth Marcantel

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedit...

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 46-47 crewmember Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) responds to a reporter’s question Nov. 20 during final... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 48-49 backup crewmember Peggy Whitson of NASA flashes a smile in front of a Soyuz simulator May 26 during final qualification exams. Whitson, Thomas Pesquet of the European Space Agency and Oleg Novitskiy of Roscosmos are serving as the backups to prime crewmembers Kate Rubins of NASA, Takuya Onishi of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and Anatoly Ivanishin of Roscosmos, who will launch June 24 on the Soyuz MS-01 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a four-month mission on the International Space Station...NASA/Stephanie Stoll.

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedit...

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 48-49 backup crewmember Peggy Whitson of NASA flashes a smile in front of a Soyuz simulator May 26 during final qualification exams. Whi... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 48-49 prime crewmembers Takuya Onishi of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (left), Anatoly Ivanishin of Roscosmos (center) and Kate Rubins of NASA (right) report to officials May 26 at the start of final qualification exams. Rubins, Onishi and Ivanishin will launch June 24 on the Soyuz MS-01 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a four-month mission on the International Space Station...NASA/Stephanie Stoll.

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedit...

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 48-49 prime crewmembers Takuya Onishi of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (left), Anatoly Ivanishin of Roscosmos (center) and Kate... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 49-50 prime crewmembers Shane Kimbrough of NASA (left) and Andrey Borisenko (center) and Sergey Ryzhikov (right) of Roscosmos pose for pictures Aug. 30 at the start of two days of final qualification exams. The trio is preparing for launch on Sept. 24 (Kazakh time) on their Soyuz MS-02 vehicle from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a five-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2016e107491

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedit...

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 49-50 prime crewmembers Shane Kimbrough of NASA (left) and Andrey Borisenko (center) and Sergey Ryzhikov (right) of Roscosmos pose for p... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 49-50 prime crewmembers Shane Kimbrough of NASA (left) and Andrey Borisenko (center) and Sergey Ryzhikov (right) of Roscosmos respond to reporters questions Aug. 30 at the start of two days of final qualification exams. The trio is preparing for launch on Sept. 24 (Kazakh time) on their Soyuz MS-02 vehicle from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a five-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2016e107489

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedit...

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 49-50 prime crewmembers Shane Kimbrough of NASA (left) and Andrey Borisenko (center) and Sergey Ryzhikov (right) of Roscosmos respond to... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 49-50 backup crewmember Mark Vande Hei of NASA signs in Aug. 30 for the start of final qualification exams. Vande Hei and Alexander Misurkin and Nikolai Tikhonov of Roscosmos are serving as backups to prime crewmembers Shane Kimbrough of NASA and Andrey Borisenko and Sergey Ryzhikov of Roscosmos who will launch on Sept. 24 (Kazakh time) on their Soyuz MS-02 vehicle from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a five-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2016e107485

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedit...

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 49-50 backup crewmember Mark Vande Hei of NASA signs in Aug. 30 for the start of final qualification exams. Vande Hei and Alexander Misu... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 49-50 prime crewmembers Shane Kimbrough of NASA (left) and Andrey Borisenko (center) and Sergey Ryzhikov (right) of Roscosmos report to officials Aug. 30 for the start of two days of final qualification exams. The trio is preparing for launch on Sept. 24 (Kazakh time) on their Soyuz MS-02 vehicle from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a five-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2016e107488

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedit...

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 49-50 prime crewmembers Shane Kimbrough of NASA (left) and Andrey Borisenko (center) and Sergey Ryzhikov (right) of Roscosmos report to ... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 49-50 backup crewmembers Mark Vande Hei of NASA (right, far left) and Alexander Misurkin (right, center) and Nikolai Tikhonov (right, far right) of Roscosmos report to officials Aug. 30 at the start of final qualification exams. They are serving as backups to prime crewmembers Shane Kimbrough of NASA and Andrey Borisenko and Sergey Ryzhikov of Roscosmos who will launch on Sept. 24 (Kazakh time) on their Soyuz MS-02 vehicle from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a five-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2016e107483

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedit...

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 49-50 backup crewmembers Mark Vande Hei of NASA (right, far left) and Alexander Misurkin (right, center) and Nikolai Tikhonov (right, fa... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 49-50 backup crewmember Alexander Misurkin of Roscosmos signs in Aug. 30 for the start of final qualification exams. Misurkin, Mark Vande Hei of NASA and Nikolai Tikhonov of Roscosmos are serving as backups to prime crewmembers Shane Kimbrough of NASA and Andrey Borisenko and Sergey Ryzhikov of Roscosmos who will launch on Sept. 24 (Kazakh time) on their Soyuz MS-02 vehicle from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a five-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2016e107484

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedit...

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 49-50 backup crewmember Alexander Misurkin of Roscosmos signs in Aug. 30 for the start of final qualification exams. Misurkin, Mark Vand... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 49-50 backup crewmembers Mark Vande Hei of NASA (left) and Alexander Misurkin (center) and Nikolai Tikhonov (right) of Roscosmos pose for pictures Aug. 30 at the start of final qualification exams. They are serving as backups to prime crewmembers Shane Kimbrough of NASA and Andrey Borisenko and Sergey Ryzhikov of Roscosmos who will launch on Sept. 24 (Kazakh time) on their Soyuz MS-02 vehicle from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a five-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2016e107487

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedit...

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 49-50 backup crewmembers Mark Vande Hei of NASA (left) and Alexander Misurkin (center) and Nikolai Tikhonov (right) of Roscosmos pose fo... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 49-50 prime crewmembers Shane Kimbrough of NASA (left) and Andrey Borisenko (center) and Sergey Ryzhikov (right) of Roscosmos wave to reporters Aug. 30 at the start of two days of final qualification exams. The trio is preparing for launch on Sept. 24 (Kazakh time) on their Soyuz MS-02 vehicle from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a five-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2016e107492

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedit...

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 49-50 prime crewmembers Shane Kimbrough of NASA (left) and Andrey Borisenko (center) and Sergey Ryzhikov (right) of Roscosmos wave to re... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 49-50 prime crewmember Shane Kimbrough of NASA responds to a reporter’s question Aug. 30 at the start of two days of final qualification exams. Kimbrough and Andrey Borisenko (right) and Sergey Ryzhikov of Roscosmos are preparing for launch on Sept. 24 (Kazakh time) on their Soyuz MS-02 vehicle from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a five-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2016e107490

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedit...

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 49-50 prime crewmember Shane Kimbrough of NASA responds to a reporter’s question Aug. 30 at the start of two days of final qualification... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 49-50 backup crewmembers Mark Vande Hei of NASA (left) and Alexander Misurkin (center) and Nikolai Tikhonov (right) of Roscosmos answer reporters’ questions Aug. 30 at the start of final qualification exams. They are serving as backups to prime crewmembers Shane Kimbrough of NASA and Andrey Borisenko and Sergey Ryzhikov of Roscosmos who will launch on Sept. 24 (Kazakh time) on their Soyuz MS-02 vehicle from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a five-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2016e107486

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedit...

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 49-50 backup crewmembers Mark Vande Hei of NASA (left) and Alexander Misurkin (center) and Nikolai Tikhonov (right) of Roscosmos answer ... More

jsc2017e038549 (March 30, 2017) --- At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, trainers keep tabs on the work of Expedition 51 crewmembers Fyodor Yurchikhin of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and Jack Fischer of NASA through a bank of video monitors and data displays March 30 as the crew conducted the first of two days of final qualification exams. Yurchikhin and Fischer will launch April 20 on the Soyuz MS-04 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a four and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Credit: NASA/Rob Navias jsc2017e038549

jsc2017e038549 (March 30, 2017) --- At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training ...

jsc2017e038549 (March 30, 2017) --- At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, trainers keep tabs on the work of Expedition 51 crewmembers Fyodor Yurchikhin of the Russian Federal Space Agen... More

jsc2017e038550 (March 30, 2017) --- At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 51 crewmember Jack Fischer of NASA is seen inside a Russian segment systems mockup on a TV monitor being viewed by trainers March 30 as he and Fyodor Yurchikhin of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) began two days of final qualification exams. Fischer and Yurchikhin will launch April 20 on the Soyuz MS-04 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a four and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Credit: NASA/Rob Navias jsc2017e038550

jsc2017e038550 (March 30, 2017) --- At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training ...

jsc2017e038550 (March 30, 2017) --- At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 51 crewmember Jack Fischer of NASA is seen inside a Russian segment systems mockup on a TV monitor b... More

jsc2017e038912 (03/31/2017) --- At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, , Expedition 51 crewmembers Fyodor Yurchikhin of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, left) and Jack Fischer of NASA (right) pose for pictures in front of a Soyuz spacecraft mockup March 31 during the second of two days of final qualification exams. Yurchikhin and Fischer will launch April 20 on the Soyuz MS-04 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a four and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Expedition 51. Photo: Rob Navias/NASA. jsc2017e038912

jsc2017e038912 (03/31/2017) --- At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Cent...

jsc2017e038912 (03/31/2017) --- At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, , Expedition 51 crewmembers Fyodor Yurchikhin of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, left) and Jack Fische... More

jsc2017e038908 (03/31/2017) --- At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 51 crewmembers Fyodor Yurchikhin of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, left) and Jack Fischer of NASA (right) report to Russian state commission officials March 31 at the start of the second of two days of final qualification exams. Yurchikhin and Fischer will launch April 20 on the Soyuz MS-04 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a four and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Expedition 51 Photo: Rob Navias/NASA. jsc2017e038908

jsc2017e038908 (03/31/2017) --- At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Cent...

jsc2017e038908 (03/31/2017) --- At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 51 crewmembers Fyodor Yurchikhin of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, left) and Jack Fischer ... More

jsc2017e038909 (03/31/2017) --- At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 51 crewmember Fyodor Yurchikhin of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, left) smiles as his crew mate, Jack Fischer of NASA (right) signs in March 31 for the second of two days of of final qualification exams. Yurchikhin and Fischer will launch April 20 on the Soyuz MS-04 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a four and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Expedition 51. Photo: Rob Navias/NASA. jsc2017e038909

jsc2017e038909 (03/31/2017) --- At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Cent...

jsc2017e038909 (03/31/2017) --- At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 51 crewmember Fyodor Yurchikhin of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, left) smiles as his crew... More

jsc2017e038910 (03/31/2017) --- At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 51 crewmembers Fyodor Yurchikhin of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, left) and Jack Fischer of NASA (right) field questions from reporters in front of a Soyuz spacecraft mockup March 31 during the second of two days of final qualification exams. Yurchikhin and Fischer will launch April 20 on the Soyuz MS-04 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a four and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Expedition 51. Photo: Rob Navias/NASA. jsc2017e038910

jsc2017e038910 (03/31/2017) --- At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Cent...

jsc2017e038910 (03/31/2017) --- At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 51 crewmembers Fyodor Yurchikhin of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, left) and Jack Fischer ... More