At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, technicians monitor the encapsulation of the Soyuz TMA-04M spacecraft into its Soyuz booster upper stage May 8, 2012 in advance of the launching of three new crewmembers to the International Space Station. The Soyuz will carry Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka, NASA Flight Engineer Joe Acaba and Flight Engineer Sergei Revin to the orbital complex on May 15 for a four-month mission. The Soyuz will rollout to its launch pad in Baikonur on May 13. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

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

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 30 Flight Engineer Anatoly Ivanishin (left), Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov (center) and Expedition 30 Commander Dan Burbank of NASA (right) pose for pictures in front of their Soyuz TMA-22 spacecraft November 9, 2011 as they completed a final inspection of the vehicle in its Integration Facility. The trio are preparing for launch November 14 from Baikonur to the International Space Station. Credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov

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

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the Expedition 30 prime and backup crews toured the Korolev Museum November 9, 2011 as they prepared for launch November 14 on the Soyuz TMA-22 spacecraft from Baikonur to the International Space Station. As a tour guide provided historical information on a Soyuz mockup, listening from left to right are Expedition 30 Commander and prime crewmember Dan Burbank of NASA, backup Flight Engineer Joe Acaba of NASA, prime Flight Engineer Anatoly Ivanishin, backup crewmember Sergei Revin, prime Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov and backup crewmember Gennady Padalka. Credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov

The prime and backup Expedition 37/38 crewmembers pose for pictures in front of the first stage engines of the Soyuz booster rocket in the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan Sept. 20. From left to right are backup Flight Engineer Oleg Artemyev, prime Flight Engineer Michael Hopkins of NASA, prime Soyuz Commander Oleg Kotov, prime Flight Engineer Sergey Ryazanskiy, backup So6yuz Commander Alexander Skvortsov and backup Flight Engineer Steve Swanson of NASA. Hopkins, Kotov and Ryazanskiy completed a final “fit check” inspection of their Soyuz TMA-10M spacecraft, preparing for launch Sept. 26, Kazakh time, to begin a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 25 Flight Engineer Scott Kelly of NASA undergoes leak checks to his Sokol launch and entry suit September 26, 2010 as he and Flight Engineers Alexander Kaleri and Oleg Skripochka prepare for their launch October 8 in the Soyuz TMA-01M spacecraft to the International Space Station. Credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 26 Flight Engineer Catherine Coleman (left), Soyuz Commander Dmitry Kondratyev (center) and Flight Engineer Paolo Nespoli of the European Space Agency (right) pose for pictures December 4, 2010 outside their Soyuz TMA-20 spacecraft during a fit check exercise. The trio will launch in the Soyuz December 16 (Baikonur time) to the International Space Station. Credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, NASA Flight Engineer Sunita Williams signs the wall at the Korolev Museum bearing the names of all crewmembers who have launched in Soyuz vehicles July 10, 2012 as she and her crewmates prepare for launch July 15 in their Soyuz TMA-05M spacecraft to the International Space Station. Williams will launch with Soyuz Commander Yuri Malenchenko and Flight Engineer Aki Hoshide of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

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

At their Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, the next trio of crewmembers who will launch to the International Space Station take a traditional stroll down the Walk of the Cosmonauts May 10, 2012 as they take break from final pre-launch training. From left to right in the foreground are Expedition 31/32 Flight Engineer Joe Acaba of NASA, Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka and Flight Engineer Sergei Revin, who enjoyed balmy weather as they wrap up preparations for launch May 15 on the Soyuz TMA-04M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome to begin a four-month mission on the international outpost. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 27 Flight Engineer Ron Garan of NASA (left), Soyuz Commander Alexander Samokutyaev (center) and Flight Engineer Andrey Borisenko pose for pictures outside their Soyuz TMA-21 spacecraft during a check of its systems March 22, 2011. The Soyuz, which has been dubbed “Gagarin” and which bears the likeness of cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, the first human in space, is scheduled for launch on April 5 (April 4, U.S. time), just one week shy of the 50th anniversary of Gagarin’s historic journey into space from the same launch pad that the Expedition 27 crew will begin their mission rom. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 25 Flight Engineer Scott Kelly of NASA checks his Sokol launch and entry suit September 26, 2010 as he and Flight Engineers Alexander Kaleri and Oleg Skripochka prepare for their launch October 8 in the Soyuz TMA-01M spacecraft to the International Space Station. Credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the next trio of crewmembers bound for the International Space Station pose in front of the hatchway to their Soyuz TMA-04M spacecraft May 11, 2012 as they completed their final “fit check” inspection of the vehicle in its assembly building prior to launch. Expedition 31/32 Flight Engineer Sergei Revin (left), Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka (center) and NASA Flight Engineer Joe Acaba (right) will liftoff from Baikonur May 15 to begin a four-month mission on the orbital complex. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 32/33 Flight Engineer Sunita Williams participates in a leak check of her Russian launch and entry suit July 3, 2012 as part of the suited “fit check” of the Soyuz TMA-05M spacecraft that will launch her, Soyuz Commander Yuri Malenchenko and Flight Engineer Aki Hoshide of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency to the International Space Station on July 15. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

Expedition 37/38 backup crewmember Steve Swanson of NASA views a model of a Soyuz rocket during a tour of the famed Korolev Museum at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan Sept. 17. Swanson, Alexander Skvortsov and Oleg Artemyev are serving as backups to the prime crewmembers, Flight Engineer Michael Hopkins of NASA, Soyuz Commander Oleg Kotov and Flight Engineer Sergey Ryazanskiy, who are preparing for launch Sept. 26, Kazakh time from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in the Soyuz TMA-10M spacecraft for a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

JSC2010-E-195167 (10 Dec. 2010) --- At the Cosmonaut Hotel in Kazakhstan, European Space Agency astronaut Paolo Nespoli, Expedition 26 flight engineer (from left), NASA astronaut Catherine (Cady) Coleman, Expedition 26 flight engineer; and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Satoshi Furukawa take part in recreational activities while Soyuz commander Dmitry Kondratyev of Russia's Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) looks on. Nespoli, Coleman and Kondratyev will launch Dec. 16 (Kazakhstan time) to the International Space Station. Photo credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov

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

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

The Expedition 33/34 prime and backup crewmembers participated in ceremonies outside their Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan October 11, 2012 highlighted by the traditional raising of the flags of the United States, Russia and Kazakhstan. Pictured from left to right are an unidentified local Kazakh official, Expedition 33/34 Flight Engineer Kevin Ford of NASA, prime Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy, prime Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin, backup Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov. backup Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin and backup Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA. Ford, Novitskiy and Tarelkin are scheduled to launch October 23 in their Soyuz TMA-06 spacecraft for a five-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

At their Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, the Expedition 34/35 crew practices docking simulations on a laptop computer Dec. 13, 2012 as they prepare for launch Dec. 19. NASA Flight Engineer Tom Marshburn (left), Soyuz Commander Roman Romanenko (center) and Flight Engineer Chris Hadfield of the Canadian Space Agency (right) are preparing for launch Dec. 19 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome on the Soyuz TMA-07M spacecraft for a five-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

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

NASA/Victor Zelentsov

In Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 34/35 backup crewmembers Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency (left), Fyodor Yurchikhin (center) and Karen Nyberg of NASA (right) enjoy a meal in a Kazakh yurt Dec. 9, 2012 during a traditional tour of the city. A yurt is a portable, wood-framed dwelling structure that was traditionally used by nomads in the steppes of Central Asia but which is still used for ceremonial celebrations. Prime crewmembers Flight Engineer Tom Marshburn of NASA, Soyuz Commander Roman Romanenko and Flight Engineer Chris Hadfield of the Canadian Space Agency will launch Dec. 19 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in their Soyuz TMA-07M spacecraft for a five-month mission on the International Space Station. Photo Credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov

Expedition 27 tree planting – March 29, 2011

Touring the Korolev Museum at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 37/38 Flight Engineer Michael Hopkins of NASA signs a wall mural depicting a Soyuz rocket Sept. 20 as he and his crewmates, Soyuz Commander Oleg Kotov and Flight Engineer Sergey Ryazanskiy completed a final “fit check” inspection of their Soyuz TMA-10M spacecraft. Hopkins, Kotov and Ryazanskiy are preparing for launch Sept. 26, Kazakh time, to begin a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

At the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 30 Commander Dan Burbank of NASA (left) and Flight Engineer Anatoly Ivanishin share a moment during the checkout of their Russian Sokol launch and entry suits while conducting the first of two “fit checks” of their Soyuz TMA-22 spacecraft. Burbank, Ivanishin and Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov will launch November 14 from Baikonur to the International Space Station. November 1, 2011 Credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov

At the History Museum at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the backup Expedition 32/33 crewmembers share a moment to reflect at the “Gagarin Gazebo” July 7, 2012 where Russian space officials approved Yuri Gagarin to become the first human to fly in space 51 years ago. NASA Flight Engineer Tom Marshburn (left), Russian Soyuz Commander Roman Romanenko (center) and Flight Engineer Chris Hadfield of the Canadian Space Agency are the backups for NASA’s Sunita Williams, Yuri Malenchenko and Aki Hoshide of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, who will launch to the International Space Station July 15 from the Cosmodrome in their Soyuz TMA-05M spacecraft. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

Expedition 27 Flight Engineer Ron Garan of NASA (left), Flight Engineer Andrey Borisenko (center) and Soyuz Commander Alexander Samokutyaev (right) admire their Soyuz crew patch aboard a Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center plane as they flew from Star City, Russia to the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan March 21, 2011. There, they will complete training for their launch April 5 (April 4, U.S. time) on the Soyuz TMA-21 spacecraft to the International Space Station. Credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov

In Baikonur, Kazakhstan, the backup Expedition 32/33 crewmembers are treated to a traditional Kazakh meal in ceremonial garb in a “yurt” or native hut July 7, 2012 as part of the pre-launch ceremonies that will lead to the launch of the prime crew --- NASA’s Sunita Williams, Yuri Malenchenko and Aki Hoshide of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency --- to the International Space Station July 15 in their Soyuz TMA-05M spacecraft. Enjoying a free afternoon in Baikonur were backup Flight Engineer Chris Hadfield of the Canadian Space Agency (second from the left), NASA’s Tom Marshburn (second from the right) and Russian Soyuz Commander Roman Romanenko (far right). NASA/Victor Zelentsov

Soyuz TMA-02 final inspection by the crew, crew visits to Building 112 and museum NASA/Victor Zelentsov

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 27 Flight Engineer Andrey Borisenko (left), Soyuz Commander Alexander Samokutyaev (center) and NASA Flight Engineer Ron Garan walk past their Soyuz booster during dress rehearsal activities March 22, 2011. The booster, like the Soyuz TMA-21 spacecraft in which they will launch, is adorned with the name “Gagarin” and the likeness of Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, the first human in space. The Soyuz TMA-21 is scheduled for launch on April 5 (April 4, U.S. time), just one week shy of the 50th anniversary of Gagarin’s historic journey into space from the same launch pad that the Expedition 27 crew will begin their mission from. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

In Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 34/35 Flight Engineer Tom Marshburn of NASA (far left), Soyuz Commander Roman Romanenko (second from left) and Flight Engineer Chris Hadfield of the Canadian Space Agency (third from left) are greeted by Russian space officials upon their arrival from Star City, Russia Dec. 6, 2012 as they begin final training for their launch Dec. 19 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome on the Soyuz TMA-07M spacecraft for a five-month mission on the International Space Station. Photo Credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov

Expedition 32 Flight Engineer Aki Hoshide of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (left), Soyuz Commander Yuri Malenchenko (center) and NASA Flight Engineer Sunita Williams (right) arrive at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan July 2, 2012 after a flight from their training base in Star City, Russia for final pre-launch preparations. The trio will be launched July 15 from Baikonur to the International Space Station in their Soyuz TMA-05 spacecraft for a four-month mission. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

NASA/Victor Zelentsov

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the Soyuz TMA-04M spacecraft is rotated to a horizontal position as technicians monitor the operation May 8, 2012 for the vehicle’s encapsulation into the Soyuz booster upper stage in advance of the launching of three new crewmembers to the International Space Station. The Soyuz will carry Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka, NASA Flight Engineer Joe Acaba and Flight Engineer Sergei Revin to the orbital complex on May 15 for a four-month mission. The Soyuz will rollout to its launch pad in Baikonur on May 13. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

crew paticipating in traditional tree planting outside Cosmonaut hotel

Coleman, Kondratyev and Nespoli depart Integration stand with Soyuz TMA-20 at completion of final fit check. -NASA/Victor Zelentsov

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

Expedition 32/33 Flight Engineer Sunita Williams of NASA beams with her crewmates after planting a tree in her name behind the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan July 9, 2012 as part of the traditional ceremonies leading up to her launch July 15 to the International Space Station in their Soyuz TMA-05M spacecraft. Enjoying the moment with Williams are Soyuz Commander Yuri Malenchenko, Flight Engineer Aki Hoshide of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and on the right, backup crewmember Tom Marshburn of NASA. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

With the upper stage of the Soyuz booster in the foreground and the Soyuz TMA-05M spacecraft in the background, technicians at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan prepared to encapsulate the Soyuz vehicle into its booster July 8, 2012, setting the stage for the launch of Expedition 32/33 Soyuz Commander Yuri Malenchenko, NASA Flight Engineer Sunita Williams and Flight Aki Hoshide of the Japan Exploration and Space Agency July 15 to the International Space Station for a four-month mission. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

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

Behind the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, the prime and backup crewmembers for the Expedition 31/32 increments on the International Space Station pose for pictures May 10, 2012 during a break from training for the upcoming launch of the Soyuz TMA-04M spacecraft to the orbital complex. From left to right are prime Flight Engineer Sergei Revin, prime Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka, prime Flight Engineer Joe Acaba of NASA, backup Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin, backup Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy and backup Flight Engineer Kevin Ford of NASA. Acaba, Padalka and Revin will launch on May 15 from Baikonur to begin a four-month mission on the station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

Behind their Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, the Expedition 32/33 crew posed for a picture July 9, 2012 as they took a short break from training leading to their launch July 15 to the International Space Station in their Soyuz TMA-05M spacecraft. From left to right are NASA Flight Engineer Sunita Williams, Soyuz Commander Yuri Malenchenko and Flight Engineer Aki Hoshide of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

The Soyuz TMA-05M spacecraft and booster are seen at the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan July 11, 2012 following the mating of the upper stages of the vehicle to the first stage as preparations continued for the launch July 15 of Expedition 32/33 Soyuz Commander Yuri Malenchenko, NASA Flight Engineer Sunita Williams and Flight Engineer Aki Hoshide of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency to the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

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

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

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

Expedition 27 Flight Engineer Andrey Borisenko (left), Soyuz Commander Alexander Samokutyaev (center) and NASA Flight Engineer Ron Garan (right) display their Soyuz crew patch aboard a Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center plane as they flew from Star City, Russia to the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan March 21, 2011. There, they will complete training for their launch April 5 (April 4, U.S. time) on the Soyuz TMA-21 spacecraft to the International Space Station. Credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov

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

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 31/32 Flight Engineer Joe Acaba of NASA looks up at the control panel aboard his Soyuz TMA-04M spacecraft May 3, 2012 during a suited “fit check” dress rehearsal of launch day activities in advance of his launch May 15 along with Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka and Flight Engineer Sergei Revin to the International Space Station. Acaba, Padalka and Revin will spend four months aboard the orbital outpost. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 25 Flight Engineers Scott Kelly of NASA (left), Alexander Kaleri and Oleg Skripochka pose for pictures in front of their Soyuz TMA-01M spacecraft in the Soyuz assembly facility October 3, 2010 as they prepare for launch October 8 en route to the International Space Station. Credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov

With the Soyuz TMA-10M spacecraft nestled inside, the third stage of a Soyuz booster rocket stands erect in the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan Sept. 19. The “encapsulation” process set the stage for the third stage of the Soyuz booster to be mated with two other rocket stages Sept. 22 in advance of the rocket’s rollout to the launch pad in Baikonur Sept. 23. Expedition 37/38 Flight Engineer Michael Hopkins of NASA, Soyuz Commander Oleg Kotov and Flight Engineer Sergey Ryazanskiy will launch on the Soyuz Sept. 26, Kazakh time, for the start of a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

At the historic museum near the launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 31/32 Flight Engineer Joe Acaba of NASA signs a mural depicting the likeness of Yuri Gagarin, the first human in space May 11, 2012 as his crewmates, Flight Engineer Sergei Revin (center) and Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka (right) look on. The trio will launch on their Soyuz TMA-04M spacecraft May 15 from the same launch pad Gagarin left the planet 51 years ago to begin a four-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

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

NASA/Victor Zelentsov

At the historic museum near the launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 31/32 Flight Engineer Joe Acaba of NASA adds his name to the “Wall of Signatures” May 11, 2012 during a traditional museum tour prior to his launch May 15 along with Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka and Flight Engineer Sergei Revin in their Soyuz TMA-04M spacecraft to begin a four-month mission on the International Space Station. The wall, which is adorned with a life-size picture of a Soyuz rocket, is signed by all crewmembers who launch into space on the Russian booster. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

In Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 30 Commander Dan Burbank of NASA (left) and Flight Engineer Anatoly Ivanishin play a game of badminton at their crew quarters at the Cosmonaut Hotel on November 8, 2011. Burbank, Ivanishin and Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov will launch from Baikonur on November 14 in their Soyuz TMA-22 spacecraft to the International Space Station. Credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov

The upper stages of the Soyuz TMA-05M spacecraft are hoisted in the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan July 11, 2012 in preparation for mating with the first stage as preparations continued for the launch July 15 of Expedition 32/33 Soyuz Commander Yuri Malenchenko, NASA Flight Engineer Sunita Williams and Flight Engineer Aki Hoshide of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency to the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

Expedition 32 Flight Engineer Sunita Williams of NASA affixes a crew patch to the cabin of the plane that carried her, Soyuz Commander Yuri Malenchenko (left) and Flight Engineer Aki Hoshide of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (not pictured) July 2, 2012 from their training base in Star City, Russia to the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for final pre-launch training. The trio will be launched July 15 from Baikonur to the International Space Station in their Soyuz TMA-05M spacecraft for a four-month mission. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

Expedition 28 Soyuz Commander Sergei Volkov performs the traditional door signing Tuesday, June 7, 2011 at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Volkov was launched onboard the Soyuz rocket the following morning with Expedition 28 NASA Flight Engineer Mike Fossum and JAXA (Japanase Aerospace Exploration Agency) Flight Engineer Satoshi Furukawa on a mission to the International Space Station (ISS). Photo Credit: (NASA/Victor Zelentsov)

Expedition 32 Flight Engineer Aki Hoshide of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (left), Soyuz Commander Yuri Malenchenko (center) and NASA Flight Engineer Sunita Williams (right) arrive at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan July 2, 2012 after a flight from their training base in Star City, Russia for final pre-launch preparations. The trio will be launched July 15 from Baikonur to the International Space Station in their Soyuz TMA-05 spacecraft for a four-month mission. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

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

At the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the next trio of residents that will launch to the International Space Station pose for pictures November 1, 2011 following the first of two “fit checks” of their Soyuz TMA-22 spacecraft. Flight Engineer Anatoly Ivanishin (left), Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov (center) and Expedition 30 Commander Dan Burbank of NASA will launch November 14 from Baikonur to spend four months on the orbital laboratory. November 1, 2011 Credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov

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

Outside their Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, the Expedition 27 prime and backup crewmembers conducted the ceremonial raising of the Russian, U.S. and Kazakh flags on March 23, 2011 as part of their traditional pre-launch activities. Seen from left to right are prime Russian crewmembers Alexander Samokutyaev and Andrey Borisenko, prime NASA Flight Engineer Ron Garan (center) and his backup, Dan Burbank and backup Russian crewmembers Anton Shkaplerov and Anatoly Ivanishin. Garan, Samokutyaev and Borisenko are scheduled to launch on April 5 (April 4, U.S. time) from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan to the International Space Station on the Soyuz TMA-21 spacecraft that has been dubbed “Gagarin”, in honor of the 50th anniversary of the launch of Yuri Gagarin on April 12, 1961 to become the first human to fly in space. Credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov

In the town of Baikonur, Kazakhstan, the Expedition 31/32 backup crew participated in Victory Day celebration activities May 9, 2012 as they took a break from training for the launch of the Soyuz TMA-04M May 15 to the International Space Station. Victory Day commemorates the triumph of Russia over Nazi Germany in World War II, one of Russia’s most solemn occasions. From left to right holding flowers are backup NASA Flight Engineer Kevin Ford, backup Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy and backup Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin. The prime crew, Gennady Padalka, Sergei Revin and NASA’s Joe Acaba, are training for their launch in the Soyuz vehicle on May 15 for a four-month mission on the orbital complex. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 37/38 Flight Engineer Michael Hopkins of NASA flexes his arms during a pressure check of his Russian Sokol launch and entry suit Sept. 14 as part of a “fit check” dress rehearsal training exercise. Hopkins, Soyuz Commander Oleg Kotov and Flight Sergey Ryazanskiy are preparing for launch Sept. 26, Kazakh time, from Baikonur on their Soyuz TMA-10M spacecraft to begin a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

Seated in the right seat of the descent module of the Soyuz TMA-21 spacecraft, Expedition 27 Flight Engineer Ron Garan of NASA runs through a checklist of procedures during a dress rehearsal of launch activities at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan March 22, 2011. Garan, Soyuz Commander Alexander Samokutyaev (center) and Flight Engineer Andrey Borisenko are scheduled to launch April 5 (April 4, U.S. time) in the Soyuz, which has been dubbed “Gagarin” and which bears the likeness of cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, the first human in space. The launch will occur just one week shy of the 50th anniversary of Gagarin’s historic journey into space from the same launch pad that the Expedition 27 crew will begin their mission from. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 27 Flight Engineer Ron Garan of NASA (left), Soyuz Commander Alexander Samokutyaev (center) and Flight Engineer Andrey Borisenko suit up for a dress rehearsal of their launch activities and checkout of their Soyuz TMA-21 spacecraft March 22, 2011. The Soyuz, which has been dubbed “Gagarin” and which bears the likeness of cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, the first human in space, is scheduled for launch on April 5 (April 4, U.S. time), just one week shy of the 50th anniversary of Gagarin’s historic journey into space from the same launch pad that the Expedition 27 crew will begin their mission from. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 34/35 Flight Engineer Tom Marshburn of NASA conducts a “fit check” dress rehearsal inside the Soyuz TMA-07M spacecraft Dec. 7, 2012. Along with Soyuz Commander Roman Romanenko and Flight Engineer Chris Hadfield of the Canadian Space Agency, who are not pictured, Marshburn is preparing for launch Dec. 19 for a five-month mission on the International Space Station. Photo Credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov

Expedition 27 tree planting – March 29, 2011

In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 38/39 Flight Engineer Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (left), Soyuz Commander Mikhail Tyurin (center) and Flight Engineer Rick Mastracchio of NASA (right) pose for pictures outside their Soyuz TMA-11M spacecraft October 28 following a fit check dress rehearsal. The trio will launch Nov. 7, Kazakh time, in the Soyuz spacecraft from Baikonur to begin a six-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

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

The prime and backup crewmembers for Expedition 32 attend ceremonies outside their Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan July 4, 2012 following the raising of U.S., Russian, Japanese and Kazakh flags outside their crew quarters as part of the pre-launch activities leading up to the launch of the next crew to the International Space Station. From left to right are the prime crewmembers – Soyuz Commander Yuri Malenchenko, NASA Flight Engineer Sunita Williams and Flight Engineer Aki Hoshide of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency who will launch to the station July 15 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in their Soyuz TMA-05M spacecraft --- and their backups, NASA Flight Engineer Tom Marshburn, Canadian Space Agency Flight Engineer Chris Hadfield and Russian Soyuz Commander Roman Romanenko. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 37/38 Flight Engineer Michael Hopkins of NASA (left), Soyuz Commander Oleg Kotov (center) and Flight Engineer Sergey Ryazanskiy (right) walk past the Soyuz booster rocket Sept. 14 during a “fit check” dress rehearsal training exercise. The three crewmembers are preparing for launch Sept. 26, Kazakh time, from Baikonur on their Soyuz TMA-10M spacecraft to begin a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

Photographer: Victor Zelentsov

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 31/32 Flight Engineer Joe Acaba of NASA flashes a smile as he climbs aboard his Soyuz TMA-04M spacecraft May 3, 2012 during a suited “fit check” dress rehearsal of launch day activities in advance of his launch May 15 along with Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka and Flight Engineer Sergei Revin to the International Space Station. Acaba, Padalka and Revin will spend four months aboard the orbital outpost. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

Assisted by NASA Flight Engineer Sunita Williams, Expedition 32/33 Flight Engineer Aki Hoshide of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency plants a tree in his name behind the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan July 9, 2012 as part of the traditional ceremonies leading to their launch July 15 to the International Space Station in the Soyuz TMA-05M spacecraft. Joining Williams and Hoshide are Soyuz Commander Yuri Malenchenko, NASA backup Flight Engineer Tom Marshburn, backup Flight Engineer Chris Hadfield of the Canadian Space Agency and backup Soyuz Commander Roman Romanenko. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

Expedition 37/38 Flight Engineer Michael Hopkins of NASA (front row, left), Soyuz Commander Oleg Kotov (front row, center) and Flight Engineer Sergey Ryazanskiy (front row, right) lead a procession down the “Walk of Cosmonauts” behind their Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan Sept. 18. Behind the trio are their backups from left to right, Steve Swanson of NASA, Alexander Skvortsov and Oleg Artemyev. Hopkins, Kotov and Ryazanskiy are set to launch Sept. 26, Kazakh time, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome on their Soyuz TMA-10M spacecraft for a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 37/38 Flight Engineer Michael Hopkins of NASA hoists his Russian Sokol launch and entry suit into the air Sept. 14 as part of a “fit check” dress rehearsal training exercise. Hopkins, Soyuz Commander Oleg Kotov and Flight Sergey Ryazanskiy are preparing for launch Sept. 26, Kazakh time, from Baikonur on their Soyuz TMA-10M spacecraft to begin a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

The flags of the United States, Russia, Italy and Kazakhstan are raised outside the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan December 5, 2010 in the traditional ceremony for the Expedition 26 prime and backup crewmembers that is part of their prelaunch activities. NASA Flight Engineer Catherine Coleman, Soyuz Commander Dmitry Kondratyev and European Space Agency Flight Engineer Paolo Nespoli of Italy are scheduled to launch December 16 (Baikonur time) in their Soyuz TMA-20 spacecraft to the International Space Station. Credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov

In Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 34/35 Flight Engineer Tom Marshburn of NASA (far left) ) is greeted by a Russian space official as he, Soyuz Commander Roman Romanenko (second from left) and Flight Engineer Chris Hadfield of the Canadian Space Agency (third from left) arrived from Star City, Russia Dec. 6, 2012 to begin final training for their launch Dec. 19 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome on the Soyuz TMA-07M spacecraft for a five-month mission on the International Space Station. Photo Credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov

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

JSC2011-E-030087 (31 March 2011) --- The Expedition 27 prime and backup crew members pose for pictures March 31, 2011 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan in front of the cottage near the launch pad in which Yuri Gagarin slept the night before he launched April 12, 1961 to become the first human to fly in space. NASA astronaut Ron Garan, flight engineer; Russian cosmonaut Alexander Samokutyaev, Soyuz commander, and Russian cosmonaut Andrey Borisenko, flight engineer, will launch April 5 (Kazakhstan time) in their Soyuz TMA-21 spacecraft to the International Space Station. Their Soyuz has been dubbed ?Gagarin? in honor of the 50th anniversary of Gagarin?s launch. From left to right are Borisenko, backup crew member Anatoly Ivanishin, Samokutyaev, backup crew member Dan Burbank, Garan and backup crew member Anton Shkaplerov. Photo credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov

Soyuz TMA-02 final inspection by the crew, crew visits to Building 112 and museum NASA/Victor Zelentsov

At the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 34/35 Flight Engineer Tom Marshburn of NASA takes his turn in the weight room Dec. 13, 2012 as preparations continue for his launch Dec. 19 with Flight Engineer Chris Hadfield of the Canadian Space Agency and Soyuz Commander Roman Romanenko from the Baikonur Cosmodrome on the Soyuz TMA-07M spacecraft for a five-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

With the Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft safely installed inside, the upper stage of its Soyuz booster rocket rests in the vertical position in the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan October 16, 2012. The Soyuz is being prepared for launch October 23 to the International Space Station with NASA Flight Engineer Kevin Ford, Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy and Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin for a five-month mission on the orbital laboratory. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

In Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 30 Commander Dan Burbank of NASA gets in some exercise on a treadmill at his Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters November 8, 2011. Burbank, Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov and Flight Engineer Anatoly Ivanishin will launch in the Soyuz TMA-22 spacecraft on November 14 from Baikonur bound for the International Space Station. Credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov

In Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 30 Commander Dan Burbank of NASA (left), Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov (center) and Flight Engineer Anatoly Ivanishin review docking procedures on a laptop computer during training at their Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters November 8, 2011. The trio will launch in the Soyuz TMA-22 spacecraft from Baikonur on November 14 bound for the International Space Station. Credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov

Expedition 27 tree planting – March 29, 2011

In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the Soyuz TMA-07M spacecraft is prepared for its encapsulation into the upper stage of the Soyuz booster Dec. 12, 2012 as preparations continue for the launch of the Expedition 34/35 crew. The vehicle will be rolled to the launch pad at Baikonur Dec. 17 in advance of the Dec. 19 launch of NASA Flight Engineer Tom Marshburn, Soyuz Commander Roman Romanenko and Flight Engineer Chris Hadfield of the Canadian Space Agency for a five-month mission on the International Space Station. Photo Credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov

NASA/Victor Zelentsov

At their Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, the Expedition 37/38 prime and backup crewmembers prepare to raise the U.S., Russian and Kazakh flags Sept. 15 in a traditional ceremony. From left to right are prime Soyuz Commander Oleg Kotov, prime Flight Engineer Michael Hopkins of NASA, his backup, Steve Swanson of NASA and backup Alexander Skvortsov (far right). Hidden from view are prime Flight Engineer Sergei Ryazanskiy and his backup, Oleg Artemyev. Hopkins, Kotov and Ryazanskiy are preparing for launch Sept. 26, Kazakh time, from Baikonur on their Soyuz TMA-10M spacecraft to begin a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

12-52-00-3: In the Baikonur Cosmodrome Museum in Kazakhstan, Expedition 39/40 Flight Engineer Steve Swanson of NASA (foreground) signs a wall mural March 21 to honor a tradition as he and his crewmates prepare for launch to the International Space Station. Looking on is Flight Engineer Oleg Artemyev of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos). Swanson, Soyuz Commander Alexander Skvortsov of Roscosmos and Artemyev are wrapping up training for their launch to the station March 26, Kazakh time, on the Soyuz TMA-12 spacecraft for a six-month mission on the orbital laboratory. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

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

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 32/33 Flight Engineer Aki Hoshide of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency lies in the Soyuz TMA-05 spacecraft July 3, 2012 during a suited “fit check” of the vehicle that will launch him, Soyuz Commander Yuri Malenchenko and Flight Engineer Sunita Williams of NASA to the International Space Station on July 15. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 26 Flight Engineer Catherine Coleman of NASA (left), Soyuz Commander Dmitry Kondratyev (center) and Flight Engineer Paolo Nespoli of the European Space Agency (right) walk past their Soyuz booster December 4, 2010 during a fit check of their Soyuz TMA-20 spacecraft. The trio will launch December 16 (Baikonur time) to the International Space Station. Credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov

In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the Expedition 33/34 prime crew poses for pictures at the hatchway of their Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft at the completion of their final pre-launch “fit check” dress rehearsal October 18, 2012. Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin (left), Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy (center) and NASA Flight Engineer Kevin Ford (right) will launch October 23 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome for a five-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 32/33 Flight Engineer Sunita Williams rests during a leak check of her Russian launch and entry suit July 3, 2012 as part of the suited “fit check” of the Soyuz TMA-05M spacecraft that will launch her, Soyuz Commander Yuri Malenchenko and Flight Engineer Aki Hoshide of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency to the International Space Station on July 15. NASA/Victor Zelentsov