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1610: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 40/41 Flight Engineer Reid Wiseman of NASA waves to a crowd of well-wishers May 15 as he departs with his crewmates for their launch site at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for final pre-launch training. Wiseman, Alexander Gerst of the European Space Agency and Soyuz Commander Max Suraev of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) will launch on May 29, Kazakh time, in the Soyuz TMA-13M spacecraft from Baikonur for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2014e045106

1610: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, ...

1610: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 40/41 Flight Engineer Reid Wiseman of NASA waves to a crowd of well-wishers May 15 as he departs with his crewmates for their lau... More

#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

(9 March 2014) --- The statue of Yuri Gagarin, the first human to fly in space, looms over the town square in Karaganda, Kazakhstan March 9 as officials prepared to commemorate him on his 80th birthday. Gagarin, who died in an aircraft training accident in 1968, was launched into the history books from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on April 12, 1961. NASA astronauts and officials were in Karaganda for the commemoration in advance of supporting the landing March 11, Kazakh time, of Expedition 38 crew members Oleg Kotov, Sergey Ryazanskiy and NASA’s Michael Hopkins in their Soyuz TMA-10M spacecraft. Photo credit: NASA jsc2014e025526

(9 March 2014) --- The statue of Yuri Gagarin, the first human to fly ...

(9 March 2014) --- The statue of Yuri Gagarin, the first human to fly in space, looms over the town square in Karaganda, Kazakhstan March 9 as officials prepared to commemorate him on his 80th birthday. Gagarin... 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

1881: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 41/42 Flight Engineer Barry Wilmore of NASA (center) signs in at the start of final qualification exams September 3 as his crewmates, Alexander Samokutyaev of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, left) and Elena Serova of Roscosmos (right) look on. 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 jsc2014e079008

1881: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, ...

1881: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 41/42 Flight Engineer Barry Wilmore of NASA (center) signs in at the start of final qualification exams September 3 as his crewma... More

1898: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 41/42 Flight Engineer Elena Serova of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) signs in at the start of final qualification exams September 3 as her crewmates, Alexander Samokutyaev of Roscosmos (left) and Barry Wilmore of NASA (right) look on. 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 jsc2014e079009

1898: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, ...

1898: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 41/42 Flight Engineer Elena Serova of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) signs in at the start of final qualifi... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 35-36 backup crewmember Michael Hopkins of NASA answers questions from the news media March 4 as he and his crewmates prepare for a series of qualification simulations in Soyuz and Russian segment trainers. Hopkins, Soyuz Commander Oleg Kotov and Flight Engineer Sergei Ryazanskiy will backup prime crewmembers Chris Cassidy of NASA and Russian cosmonauts Pavel Vinogradov and Alexander Misurkin, who are preparing for launch to the International Space Station March 29 (Kazakh time) from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan in their Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft. NASA / Stephanie Stoll jsc2013e013522

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

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 35-36 backup crewmember Michael Hopkins of NASA answers questions from the news media March 4 as he and his crewmates prepare for a seri... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, the Expedition 35-36 backup crewmembers answer questions from the news media March 4 as they prepare for a series of qualification simulations in Soyuz and Russian segment trainers. NASA Flight Engineer Michael Hopkins (left), Soyuz Commander Oleg Kotov (center) and Flight Engineer Sergei Ryazanskiy (right) will backup prime crewmembers Chris Cassidy of NASA and Russian cosmonauts Pavel Vinogradov and Alexander Misurkin, who are preparing for launch to the International Space Station March 29 (Kazakh time) from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan in their Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft. NASA / Stephanie Stoll jsc2013e013521

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

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, the Expedition 35-36 backup crewmembers answer questions from the news media March 4 as they prepare for a series of qualification simulations in S... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 35-36 prime crewmembers Chris Cassidy of NASA (left), Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov (center) and Alexander Misurkin (right) answer questions from the news media March 4 before the start of qualification simulations in Soyuz and Russian segment trainers. The three crewmembers are preparing for their launch March 29 (Kazakh time) to the International Space Station in their Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. NASA / Stephanie Stoll jsc2013e013525

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

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 35-36 prime crewmembers Chris Cassidy of NASA (left), Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov (center) and Alexander Misurkin (right) answer qu... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 35-36 prime crewmembers Chris Cassidy of NASA (left), Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov (center) and Alexander Misurkin (right) wave to the news media March 4 before the start of qualification simulations in Soyuz and Russian segment trainers. The three crewmembers are preparing for their launch March 29 (Kazakh time) to the International Space Station in their Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. NASA / Stephanie Stoll jsc2013e013526

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

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 35-36 prime crewmembers Chris Cassidy of NASA (left), Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov (center) and Alexander Misurkin (right) wave to t... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, the Expedition 35-36 backup crewmembers are greeted by Russian space officials March 4 as they prepare for a series of qualification simulations in Soyuz and Russian segment trainers. NASA Flight Engineer Michael Hopkins (left), Soyuz Commander Oleg Kotov (center) and Flight Engineer Sergei Ryazanskiy (right) will backup prime crewmembers Chris Cassidy of NASA and Russian cosmonauts Pavel Vinogradov and Alexander Misurkin, who are preparing for launch to the International Space Station March 29 (Kazakh time) from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan in their Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft. NASA / Stephanie Stoll jsc2013e013520

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

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, the Expedition 35-36 backup crewmembers are greeted by Russian space officials March 4 as they prepare for a series of qualification simulations in... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 35-36 prime crewmember Chris Cassidy of NASA (front) signs in before Russian space officials for the start of qualification simultations in Soyuz and Russian segment trainers. Behind Cassidy are Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov (left) and Alexander Misurkin (right). The three crewmembers are preparing for their launch March 29 (Kazakh time) to the International Space Station in their Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. NASA / Stephanie Stoll jsc2013e013524

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

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 35-36 prime crewmember Chris Cassidy of NASA (front) signs in before Russian space officials for the start of qualification simultations... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 35-36 prime crewmembers Chris Cassidy of NASA (left), Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov (center) and Alexander Misurkin (right) report to Russian space officials March 4 for the start of qualification simulations in Soyuz and Russian segment trainers. The three crewmembers are preparing for their launch March 29 (Kazakh time) to the International Space Station in their Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. NASA / Stephanie Stoll jsc2013e013523

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

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 35-36 prime crewmembers Chris Cassidy of NASA (left), Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov (center) and Alexander Misurkin (right) report to... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 35-36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy enters a Soyuz spacecraft mockup March 5 for the start of qualification simulation runs. Cassidy, Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov and Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin are training for launch March 29, Kazakh time, to the International Space Station in their Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. NASA / Stephanie Stoll jsc2013e013616

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

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 35-36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy enters a Soyuz spacecraft mockup March 5 for the start of qualification simulation runs. Cassidy, S... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 35-36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy (right), Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov (center) and Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin (left) clasp hands for photographers prior to the start of qualification simulation runs in a Soyuz spacecraft mockup March 5. The three crewmembers are training for launch March 29, Kazakh time, to the International Space Station in their Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. NASA / Stephanie Stoll jsc2013e013614

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

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 35-36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy (right), Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov (center) and Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin (left) cla... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 35-36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA (second from left) signs a book before Russian space officials March 5, certifying that he is prepared to begin qualification simulation runs in a Soyuz spacecraft mockup. Looking on are Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov (second from right) and Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin (right). The three crewmembers are training for launch March 29, Kazakh time, to the International Space Station in their Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. NASA / Stephanie Stoll jsc2013e013612

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

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 35-36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA (second from left) signs a book before Russian space officials March 5, certifying that he i... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 35-36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy prepares to enter a Soyuz spacecraft mockup March 5 for the start of qualification simulation runs. Cassidy, Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov and Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin are training for launch March 29, Kazakh time, to the International Space Station in their Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. NASA / Stephanie Stoll jsc2013e013617

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

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 35-36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy prepares to enter a Soyuz spacecraft mockup March 5 for the start of qualification simulation runs. ... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 35-36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy (right) answers questions from reporters prior to the start of qualification simulation runs in a Soyuz spacecraft mockup March 5. Cassidy, Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov (center) and Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin (left) are training for launch March 29, Kazakh time, to the International Space Station in their Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. NASA / Stephanie Stoll jsc2013e013613

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

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 35-36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy (right) answers questions from reporters prior to the start of qualification simulation runs in a So... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 35-36 Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov prepares to enter a Soyuz spacecraft mockup March 5 for the start of qualification simulation runs. Vinogradov, NASA Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy and Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin are training for launch March 29, Kazakh time, to the International Space Station in their Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. NASA / Stephanie Stoll jsc2013e013618

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

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 35-36 Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov prepares to enter a Soyuz spacecraft mockup March 5 for the start of qualification simulation run... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 35-36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy flashes a thumbs up for photographers prior to the start of qualification simulation runs in a Soyuz spacecraft mockup March 5. Cassidy, Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov and Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin are training for launch March 29, Kazakh time, to the International Space Station in their Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. NASA / Stephanie Stoll jsc2013e013615

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

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 35-36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy flashes a thumbs up for photographers prior to the start of qualification simulation runs in a Soyuz... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC) in Star City, Russia, Expedition 35-36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA (far left) answers a question during a pre-launch news conference March 7. From Cassidy’s left down the row looking on are Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin, Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov, GCTC Director Sergei Krikalev, backup Soyuz Commander Oleg Kotov, backup Flight Engineer Sergey Ryazankiy, backup Flight Engineer Michael Hopkins of NASA and an unidentified interpreter. Cassidy, Vinogradov and Misurkin are in the final stages of training for their launch to the International Space Station March 29, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. NASA / Stephanie Stoll jsc2013e013832

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC) in Star City, Russia, ...

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC) in Star City, Russia, Expedition 35-36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA (far left) answers a question during a pre-launch news conference March 7. From Cassi... More

During a traditional tour of Red Square in Moscow March 7, Expedition 35-36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA laid flowers at the Kremlin Wall where Russian space icons are interred. Cassidy, Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov and Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin will launch to the International Space Station March 29, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. NASA / Stephanie Stoll jsc2013e013824

During a traditional tour of Red Square in Moscow March 7, Expedition ...

During a traditional tour of Red Square in Moscow March 7, Expedition 35-36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA laid flowers at the Kremlin Wall where Russian space icons are interred. Cassidy, Soyuz Commande... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 35-36 backup crewmembers Oleg Kotov (left), Sergey Ryazanskiy (center) and Michael Hopkins of NASA (right) pose for pictures during a pre-launch news conference March 7. The three crewmembers are in training as backups to Chris Cassidy of NASA, Alexander Misurkin and Pavel Vinogradov who are scheduled to launch to the International Space Station March 29, Kazakh time, in the Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. NASA / Stephanie Stoll jsc2013e013830

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

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 35-36 backup crewmembers Oleg Kotov (left), Sergey Ryazanskiy (center) and Michael Hopkins of NASA (right) pose for pictures during a pr... More

With a few snow flurries falling on an otherwise sunny day, Expedition 35-36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA walked through the grounds of the Kremlin in Moscow March 7 during a traditional tour of the Kremlin and Red Square. Cassidy, Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov and Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin are preparing for launch to the International Space Station March 29, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. NASA / Stephanie Stoll jsc2013e013828

With a few snow flurries falling on an otherwise sunny day, Expedition...

With a few snow flurries falling on an otherwise sunny day, Expedition 35-36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA walked through the grounds of the Kremlin in Moscow March 7 during a traditional tour of the Kr... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 35-36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA listens to a question from a reporter during a pre-launch news conference March 7. Cassidy, Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov and Alexander Misurkin are in the final stages of training for their launch to the International Space Station March 29, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. NASA / Stephanie Stoll jsc2013e013831

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

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 35-36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA listens to a question from a reporter during a pre-launch news conference March 7. Cassidy, ... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 35-36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA (right), and his backup, NASA’s Michael Hopkins tour the Gagarin Museum during a traditional tour March 7. Cassidy, Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov and Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin will launch to the International Space Station March 29, Kazakh time, on their Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. NASA / Stephanie Stoll jsc2013e013822

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

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 35-36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA (right), and his backup, NASA’s Michael Hopkins tour the Gagarin Museum during a traditional... More

With famed St. Basil’s Cathedral in the background, Expedition 35-36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA (left), Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov (center) and Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin (right) pose for pictures at the Kremlin Wall March 7 during a traditional visit to Red Square where they laid flowers at the spot where Russian space icons are interred. Cassidy, Vinogradov and Misurkin will launch to the International Space Station March 29, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. NASA / Stephanie Stoll jsc2013e013825

With famed St. Basil’s Cathedral in the background, Expedition 35-36 F...

With famed St. Basil’s Cathedral in the background, Expedition 35-36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA (left), Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov (center) and Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin (right) pose f... More

During a traditional tour of Red Square in Moscow March 7, Expedition 35-36 Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov laid flowers at the Kremlin Wall where Russian space icons are interred. Vinogradov, NASA Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy and Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin will launch to the International Space Station March 29, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. NASA / Stephanie Stoll jsc2013e013823

During a traditional tour of Red Square in Moscow March 7, Expedition ...

During a traditional tour of Red Square in Moscow March 7, Expedition 35-36 Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov laid flowers at the Kremlin Wall where Russian space icons are interred. Vinogradov, NASA Flight Engi... More

At the Gagarin Museum at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 35-36 Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin (foreground, left) signs a ceremonial book March 7 as his crewmates, Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov (foreground, center) and Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA (foreground, right) enjoy the moment. Joining them for the traditional pre-launch activities were backup crewmembers Sergey Ryazanskiy (back row, left), Oleg Kotov (back row, center) and NASA’s Michael Hopkins (back row, right). Cassidy, Vinogradov and Misurkin will launch to the International Space Station March 29, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosomodrome in Kazakhstan. NASA / Stephanie Stoll jsc2013e013834

At the Gagarin Museum at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star...

At the Gagarin Museum at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 35-36 Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin (foreground, left) signs a ceremonial book March 7 as his crewmates, Soyu... More

With a picture of the Russian great designer Sergei Korolev over his right shoulder, Expedition 35-36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy (right) poses for pictures March 7 with his crewmates, Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin (left) and Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov (center) at the Gagarin Museum at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia. The three crewmembers are training for their launch to the International Space Station March 29, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazkahstan. NASA / Stephanie Stoll jsc2013e013833

With a picture of the Russian great designer Sergei Korolev over his r...

With a picture of the Russian great designer Sergei Korolev over his right shoulder, Expedition 35-36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy (right) poses for pictures March 7 with his crewmates, Flight Engineer Alexand... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 35-36 prime crewmembers Chris Cassidy of NASA (left), Alexander Misurkin (center) and Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov (right) listen to questions from reporters March 7 during a pre-launch news conference. The three crewmembers are in the final stages of training for their launch to the International Space Station March 29, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan NASA / Stephanie Stoll jsc2013e013829

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

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 35-36 prime crewmembers Chris Cassidy of NASA (left), Alexander Misurkin (center) and Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov (right) listen to... More

With the famed Tsar Bell in the background, Expedition 35-36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA posed for pictures March 7 during a traditional tour of the Kremlin and Red Square in Moscow. Cassidy, Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov and Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin are preparing for launch to the International Space Station March 29, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. NASA / Stephanie Stoll jsc2013e013827

With the famed Tsar Bell in the background, Expedition 35-36 Flight En...

With the famed Tsar Bell in the background, Expedition 35-36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA posed for pictures March 7 during a traditional tour of the Kremlin and Red Square in Moscow. Cassidy, Soyuz Co... More

Enjoying a bright but blustery day with his daughter, Expedition 35-36 Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin (left) strolled through the grounds of the Kremlin in Moscow March 7 with NASA Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy (right). Misurkin, Cassidy and Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov conducted a traditional tour of Red Square and the Kremlin as they prepare for launch to the International Space Station on March 29, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. NASA / Stephanie Stoll jsc2013e013826

Enjoying a bright but blustery day with his daughter, Expedition 35-36...

Enjoying a bright but blustery day with his daughter, Expedition 35-36 Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin (left) strolled through the grounds of the Kremlin in Moscow March 7 with NASA Flight Engineer Chris Cas... More

At the Gagarin Museum at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 35-36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA (right) signs a ceremonial book March 7 during traditional pre-launch activities as his crewmate, Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov (left) looks on. Cassidy, Vinogradov and Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin will launch to the International Space Station March 29, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosomodrome in Kazakhstan. NASA / Stephanie Stoll jsc2013e013835

At the Gagarin Museum at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star...

At the Gagarin Museum at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 35-36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA (right) signs a ceremonial book March 7 during traditional pre-launch ... More

Aboard a Russian Federal Space Agency aircraft carrying them to their launch site, Expedition 35-36 Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov (left), Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA (center) and Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin displayed their mission stickers (far left column on the cabin wall) March 16 as they flew from their training base in Star City, Russia to Baikonur, Kazakhstan for final training for their launch to the International Space Station on March 29, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e017246

Aboard a Russian Federal Space Agency aircraft carrying them to their ...

Aboard a Russian Federal Space Agency aircraft carrying them to their launch site, Expedition 35-36 Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov (left), Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA (center) and Flight Engineer Al... More

Expedition 35-36 Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov (center) is greeted by a Russian space official at the airport in Baikonur, Kazakhstan as he, NASA Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA (left) and Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin arrived March 16 after departing their training base in Star City, Russia. The three crewmembers are in the final stage of training for their launch to the International Space Station March 29, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e017247

Expedition 35-36 Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov (center) is greeted ...

Expedition 35-36 Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov (center) is greeted by a Russian space official at the airport in Baikonur, Kazakhstan as he, NASA Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA (left) and Flight Engi... More

Aboard a Russian Federal Space Agency aircraft carrying him and his crewmates to their launch site, Expedition 35-36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA affixes a sticker of his crew insignia to the wall of the cabin of the plane March 16 as crewmate Pavel Vinogradov looks on. Cassidy, Vinogradov and Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin flew from their training base in Star City, Russia to the Baikonur, Kazakhstan for final training for their launch to the International Space Station on March 29, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e017245

Aboard a Russian Federal Space Agency aircraft carrying him and his cr...

Aboard a Russian Federal Space Agency aircraft carrying him and his crewmates to their launch site, Expedition 35-36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA affixes a sticker of his crew insignia to the wall of t... More

(16 March 2013) --- At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, the Expedition 35 prime and backup crew members pose for pictures March 16, 2013 before departing for their launch site at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for final training. From left to right are Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin, Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov, Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA, and backup crew members – cosmonauts Sergey Ryazanskiy and Oleg Kotov, and Michael Hopkins of NASA. Misurkin, Vinogradov and Cassidy are scheduled to launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome on March 29, Kazakh time, on their Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft to the International Space Station. Photo credit: NASA jsc2013e017244

(16 March 2013) --- At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star C...

(16 March 2013) --- At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, the Expedition 35 prime and backup crew members pose for pictures March 16, 2013 before departing for their launch site at the ... More

Expedition 35-36 Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov (center) waves to well-wishers at the airport in Baikonur, Kazakhstan as he, Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin (left) and Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA (right) arrived March 16 after departing their training base in Star City, Russia. The three crewmembers are in the final stage of training for their launch to the International Space Station March 29, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. NASA/Victor Zelentsov jsc2013e017248

Expedition 35-36 Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov (center) waves to we...

Expedition 35-36 Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov (center) waves to well-wishers at the airport in Baikonur, Kazakhstan as he, Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin (left) and Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA... 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...

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, ...

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, ...

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, ...

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, 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 jsc2013e017251

In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, ...

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, the Expedition 35-36 prime and backup crews pose for pictures March 17 during a systems dress rehearsal called a “fit check”. Left to right in the front row is the prime crew --- NASA Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy, Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov and Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin. Left to the right in the back row are backup crewmembers Michael Hopkins of NASA, Oleg Kotov and 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 jsc2013e017255

In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, ...

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

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, ...

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, ...

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, ...

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

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, ...

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 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 Ex...

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

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, Ex...

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, Ex...

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, Expe...

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 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, Expediti...

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, Expedi...

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, Expediti...

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

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, Expedi...

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, Expediti...

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, Expedi...

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

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 sta...

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

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, ...

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, ...

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, ...

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 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 sta...

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, ...

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, ...

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 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, ...

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

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 ...

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

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, ...

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 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, ...

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

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, th...

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, Ex...

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

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 36/37 Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin signs in for the start of final qualification training April 30 as his crewmates, NASA Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg (left) and Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency (right), look on. The three crewmembers are training for their launch May 29, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2013e028025

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

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 36/37 Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin signs in for the start of final qualification training April 30 as his crewmates, NASA Flight En... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg of NASA signs in for the start of final qualification training April 30 as she and her crewmates prepare for their launch May 29, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Nyberg is launching with Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin and Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2013e028026

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 signs in for the start of final qualification training April 30 as she and her crewmates prep... 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), listen to reporters’ questions April 30 as they began final qualification training for their launch to the International Space Station. The three crewmembers will launch May 29, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a 5 ½ month mission on the international outpost. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2013e028030

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 36/37 Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency signs in for the start of final qualification training April 30 as his crewmates, NASA Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg (left, partially obscured) and Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin (right), look on. The three crewmembers are training for their launch May 29, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2013e028027

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 Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency signs in for the start of final qualification training April 30 as his... 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), clasp hands April 30 as they began final qualification training for their launch to the International Space Station. The three crewmembers will launch May 29, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a 5 ½ month mission on the international outpost. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2013e028028

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 36/37 Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency flashes a smile April 30 as he and his crewmates began final qualification training for their launch to the International Space Station. Parmitano, Karen Nyberg of NASA and Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin will launch May 29, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a 5 ½ month mission on the international outpost. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2013e028029

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 Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency flashes a smile April 30 as he and his crewmates began final qualifica... 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 Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency (right) signs in for another round of qualification exams May 6 as his crewmates, Karen Nyberg of NASA (left) and Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin (center) look on. 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 on the International Space Station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2013e028658

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 Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency (right) signs in for another round of qualification exams May 6 as his... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 36/37 backup crewmember Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency prepares to enter a Soyuz spacecraft trainer May 6 and he and his crewmates, backup Soyuz Commander Mikhail Tyurin and backup Flight Engineer Rick Mastracchio of NASA support 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 jsc2013e028655

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

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 36/37 backup crewmember Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency prepares to enter a Soyuz spacecraft trainer May 6 and h... 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 Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin (center) signs in for another round of qualification exams May 6 as his crewmates, Karen Nyberg of NASA (left) and Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency (right) look on. 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 on the International Space Station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2013e028657

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

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 36/37 Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin (center) signs in for another round of qualification exams May 6 as his crewmates, Karen Nyberg ... 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, the Expedition 36/37 backup crewmembers checked in for their qualification exams May 6 in support of the prime crewmembers preparing for launch to the International Space Station. From left to right are Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Soyuz Commander Mikhail Tyurin and NASA’s Rick Mastracchio. 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 jsc2013e028652

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

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, the Expedition 36/37 backup crewmembers checked in for their qualification exams May 6 in support of the prime crewmembers preparing for launch to ... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, backup Expedition 36/37 crewmember Rick Mastracchio of NASA signs in for qualification exams May 6 as he, Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (far left) and Soyuz Commander Mikhail Tyurin support 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 jsc2013e028653

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 crewmember Rick Mastracchio of NASA signs in for qualification exams May 6 as he, Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Expl... More

Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg of NASA lays a flower at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Red Square in Moscow May 8 in honor of Russian Victory Day May 9. Behind Nyberg from left to right are backup crewmember Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, prime Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin, prime Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency and backup crewmember Rick Mastracchio of NASA. Nyberg, Yurchikhin and Parmitano are preparing for their launch May 29, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a six-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2013e030453

Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg of NASA lays a flower at...

Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg of NASA lays a flower at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Red Square in Moscow May 8 in honor of Russian Victory Day May 9. Behind Nyberg from left to right are b... 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 May 8 following a pre-launch news conference. The three crewmembers are preparing for their launch May 29, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a six-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2013e030442

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

With famed St. Basil’s Cathedral serving as a backdrop, Expedition 36/37 prime and backup crewmembers pose for pictures May 8 during a ceremonial tour of Red Square in Moscow. From left to right are backup crewmember Rick Mastracchio of NASA, prime Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg of NASA, prime Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin, prime Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency and backup crewmember Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. Nyberg, Yurchikhin and Parmitano are preparing for their launch May 29, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a six-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2013e030463

With famed St. Basil’s Cathedral serving as a backdrop, Expedition 36/...

With famed St. Basil’s Cathedral serving as a backdrop, Expedition 36/37 prime and backup crewmembers pose for pictures May 8 during a ceremonial tour of Red Square in Moscow. From left to right are backup crew... More

With St. Basil’s Cathedral serving as a backdrop, 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 traditional tour of Red Square in Moscow May 8. The three crewmembers are preparing for their launch May 29, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a six-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2013e030458

With St. Basil’s Cathedral serving as a backdrop, Expedition 36/37 Fli...

With St. Basil’s Cathedral serving as a backdrop, Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg of NASA (left), Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin (center) and Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Spac... More

Expedition 36/37 prime and backup crewmembers approach the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Red Square in Moscow May 8 to lay flowers in honor of Russian Victory Day May 9. From left to right are prime Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg of NASA, prime Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin, prime Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency and backup Flight Engineer Rick Mastracchio of NASA. Nyberg, Yurchikhin and Parmitano are preparing for their launch May 29, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a six-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2013e030452

Expedition 36/37 prime and backup crewmembers approach the Tomb of the...

Expedition 36/37 prime and backup crewmembers approach the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Red Square in Moscow May 8 to lay flowers in honor of Russian Victory Day May 9. From left to right are prime Flight Eng... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg (left), Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin (center) and Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency (right) pose for pictures at the Cosmonautics Museum May 8 as part of their pre-launch activities. Nyberg, Yurchikhin and Parmitano are preparing for their launch May 29, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a six-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2013e030447

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 (left), Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin (center) and Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European... More

Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg of NASA shares a quiet moment with her son during a tour of the Kremlin and Red Square in Moscow May 8. Nyberg, Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin and European Space Agency Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency are preparing for their launch May 29, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a six-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2013e030460

Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg of NASA shares a quiet m...

Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg of NASA shares a quiet moment with her son during a tour of the Kremlin and Red Square in Moscow May 8. Nyberg, Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin and European Space... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg of NASA (left), Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency (center) and Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin (right) listen to a question during a pre-launch news conference May 8. The three crewmembers are preparing for their launch May 29, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a six-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2013e030441

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), Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency (center) and Soyuz Comman... More

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 36/37 backup crewmember Rick Mastracchio of NASA (front row, right) signs a commemorative book at the Cosmonautics Museum May 8 as his backup crewmates, Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (front row, left) and Mikhail Tyurin (front row, center) look on. The prime crew, NASA’s Karen Nyberg (back row, left), Fyodor Yurchikhin (back row, center) and Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency (back row, right) watch from the back row. Nyberg, Yurchikhin and Parmitano are preparing for their launch May 29, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a six-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2013e030446

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

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 36/37 backup crewmember Rick Mastracchio of NASA (front row, right) signs a commemorative book at the Cosmonautics Museum May 8 as his b... More

Expedition 36/37 prime and backup crewmembers pose for pictures in front of the Tsar Cannon at the Kremlin during a traditional tour of Red Square and the Kremlin in Moscow May 8. From left to right are backup crewmember Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, prime Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg of NASA, prime Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin, prime Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency and backup crewmember Rick Mastracchio of NASA. Parmitano, Nyberg and Yurchikhin are preparing for their launch May 29, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a six-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2013e030459

Expedition 36/37 prime and backup crewmembers pose for pictures in fro...

Expedition 36/37 prime and backup crewmembers pose for pictures in front of the Tsar Cannon at the Kremlin during a traditional tour of Red Square and the Kremlin in Moscow May 8. From left to right are backup ... More

Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency, a major in the Italian Air Force, salutes in tribute to Russian space icons interred in the Kremlin Wall during a tour of Red Square and the Kremlin in Moscow May 8. Parmitano, Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg of NASA and Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin are preparing for their launch May 29, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a six-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll jsc2013e030457

Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space ...

Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency, a major in the Italian Air Force, salutes in tribute to Russian space icons interred in the Kremlin Wall during a tour of Red Square... More

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