Expedition 27 Soyuz Commander Alexander Samokutyaev (foreground) and Flight Engineer Andrey Borisenko affix 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 with their crewmate, NASA Flight Engineer Ron Garan. In Baikonur, 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

At the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 34/35 crewmembers Flight Engineer Chris Hadfield of the Canadian Space Agency (left), Soyuz Commander Roman Romanenko (center) and Flight Engineer Tom Marshburn (right) pose for pictures Dec. 13, 2012 at the site of the tree planted in honor of Yuri Gagarin, the first human in space, as part of traditional pre-launch ceremonies. The trio will launch Dec. 19 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan Dec. 19 on the Soyuz TMA-07M spacecraft for a five-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

Expedition 34/35 Flight Engineer Tom Marshburn of NASA (right) is assisted by his backup, Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg (left) as they raise the U.S. flag outside their Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan Dec. 9, 2012. The flag-raising ceremony was part of the pre-launch activities that will lead to the launch of Marshburn, Soyuz Commander Roman Romanenko and Flight Engineer Chris Hadfield of the Canadian Space Agency 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

In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 37/38 Flight Engineer Michael Hopkins of NASA flashes a smile as he boards the Soyuz TMA-10M spacecraft Sept. 20. Hopkins and his crewmates, Soyuz Commander Oleg Kotov and Flight Engineer Sergey Ryazanskiy completed a final “fit check” dress rehearsal of procedures leading to their launch Sept. 26, Kazakh time, from Baikonur to begin a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

At their Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, the Expedition 37/38 prime and backup crewmembers participate in ceremonies following the traditional raising of U.S., Russian and Kazakh flags Sept. 15. From left to right are prime crewmembers Michael Hopkins of NASA, Oleg Kotov and Sergey Ryazanskiy and their backups, Steve Swanson of NASA, Alexander Skvortsov and 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

NASA/Victor Zelentsov

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

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

NASA/Victor Zelentsov

Expedition 37/38 backup crewmembers Oleg Artemyev (left), Alexander Skvortsov (center) and Steve Swanson of NASA (right) pose for pictures in front of a statue of Yuri Gagarin, the first human to fly in space, during a tour of the city of Baikonur, Kazakhstan Sept. 17. The trio is 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

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

11-11-22: 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 Nov. 3 outside the Soyuz TMA-11M spacecraft during their final fit check dress rehearsal. The Soyuz rocket’s payload fairing behind them is adorned with the insignia of the Sochi Olympic Organizing Committee . The crewmembers, who will launch Nov. 7, Kazakh time for a six-month mission on the International Space Station, are carrying the Olympic torch to the complex with them for a four-day visit. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

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

At the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft is moved into position for insertion into the upper stage of its Soyuz booster rocket 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

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the Expedition 31/32 prime crewmembers pose for pictures outside their Soyuz TMA-04M spacecraft during their suited “fit check” dress rehearsal of launch day activities in advance of a May 15 launching to the International Space Station. Seated from left to right in their “Sokol” launch and entry suits are Russian Flight Engineer Sergei Revin, Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka and NASA Flight Engineer Joe Acaba. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

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

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

NASA/Victor Zelentsov

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 34/35 Flight Engineer Tom Marshburn of NASA strikes a playful pose with his Sokol launch and entry suit Dec. 7, 2012 during a “fit check” dress rehearsal. Marshburn, Soyuz Commander Roman Romanenko and Flight Engineer Chris Hadfield of the Canadian Space Agency are preparing for launch Dec. 19 in their Soyuz TMA-07M spacecraft for a five-month mission on the International Space Station. Photo Credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov

At their crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 25 Flight Engineers Scott Kelly of NASA (left), Alexander Kaleri (center) and Oleg Skripochka review rendezvous and docking programs on a laptop simulator October 2, 2010 as they prepare for their launch October 8 in the Soyuz TMA-01M spacecraft to the International Space Station. Credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov

JSC2010-E-043836 (29 March 2010) --- NASA astronaut Tracy Caldwell Dyson, Expedition 23 flight engineer, participates in the final unsuited Soyuz fit check on March 29, 2010 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan. She and two Russian cosmonauts are scheduled to launch aboard the Soyuz TMA-18 spacecraft on April 2 (Kazakhstan time). Photo credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 34/35 Flight Engineer Tom Marshburn of NASA suits up in his Russian Sokol launch and entry suit Dec. 7, 2012 during a “fit check” dress rehearsal for launch in the Soyuz TMA-07M spacecraft. Marshburn, Soyuz Commander Roman Romanenko and Flight Engineer Chris Hadfield of the Canadian Space Agency will launch Dec. 19 for a five-month mission on the International Space Station. Photo Credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov

The Expedition 33/34 crew arrives at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan October 9, 2012 after a flight from their training base in Star City, Russia for final training leading to their launch October 23 to the International Space Station in their Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft. From top to bottom are NASA Flight Engineer Kevin Ford, Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin and Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy. The trio will spend five months on the orbital laboratory, returning to Earth in March 2013. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

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

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

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

At their Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 33/34 Flight Engineer Kevin Ford of NASA (left), Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy (center) and Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin (right) review docking procedures with their Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center instructors October 17, 2012 as they prepare for launch October 23 to the International Space Station in their Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft. The trio will spend five months on the orbital laboratory. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 27 Flight Engineer Ron Garan of NASA conducts a leak check of his Russian Sokol launch and entry suit during a dress rehearsal of launch activities March 22, 2011. Garan, Soyuz Commander Alexander Samokutyaev and Flight Engineer Andrey Borisenko are scheduled to launch April 5 (April 4, U.S. time) in the Soyuz TMA-21 spacecraft that has been dubbed “Gagarin” in honor of the 50th anniversary of the launch of Yuri Gagarin as the first human in space from the same launch pad that the Expedition 27 will begin its journey from. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

At their Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, two of the three crewmembers who will next launch to the International Space Station brush up on their ping-pong skills May 10, 2012 as they take a break from final pre-launch training. Expedition 31/32 Flight Engineer Sergei Revin (left) and Flight Engineer Joe Acaba of NASA will join Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka for launch May 15 on the Soyuz TMA-04M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome to begin a four-month mission on the orbital outpost. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

JSC2010-E-044357 (30 March 2010) --- In preparation for an April 2 liftoff for Expedition 23, the final assembly for Soyuz TMA-18 was performed March 30 by TsSKB-Progress personnel in the Launch Vehicle Assembly facility at Site 112 of Baikonur Cosmodrome. Photo credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov

In the Integration Facility 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) pose for pictures in front of their Soyuz TMA-10M spacecraft Sept. 20 as they completed a final “fit check” dress rehearsal of procedures leading to their launch Sept. 26, Kazakh time, from Baikonur to begin a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

In the Integration Building at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 38/39 Flight Engineer Rick Mastracchio of NASA conducts a leak check of his Russian Sokol launch and entry suit during a fit check dress rehearsal October 28. Mastracchio, Soyuz Commander Mikhail Tyurin and Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency will launch Nov. 7, Kazakh time, in the Soyuz TMA-11M spacecraft from Baikonur to begin a six-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

Expedition 27 Flight Engineer Ron Garan of NASA signs his Soyuz crew patch aboard a Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center plane as he, Flight Engineer Andrey Borisenko and Soyuz Commander Alexander Samokutyaev flew from Star City, Russia to the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan March 21, 2011. In Baikonur, 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

At their Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, the next trio of crewmembers who will launch to the International Space Station brush up on rendezvous techniques May 10, 2012 by “flying” an approach to the station on a laptop computer simulator as they prepare for liftoff. With their instructor (far left) are Expedition 31/32 Flight Engineer Joe Acaba of NASA (second from left), Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka and Flight Engineer Sergei Revin (right). They will launch May 15 on the Soyuz TMA-04M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome to begin a four-month mission on the orbital outpost. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

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

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 37/38 Flight Engineer Michael Hopkins of NASA (front left), Soyuz Commander Oleg Kotov (front center) and Sergey Ryazanskiy (front right) pose for pictures with their backup crewmembers Sept. 14 during a “fit check” dress rehearsal exercise. The backups standing behind the prime crew are Steve Swanson of NASA (left), Alexander Skvortsov and 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

Expedition 28 Flight Engineer Mike Fossum, left, receives the traditional blessing from a Russian Orthodox priest at the Cosmonaut Hotel on the evening before his Soyuz launch to the International Space Station on Tuesday, June 7, 2011 in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Photo Credit: (NASA/Victor Zelentsov)

13-02-48-2: In the Baikonur Cosmodrome Museum in Kazakhstan, Expedition 39/40 Flight Engineer Steve Swanson of NASA signs a wall mural March 21 to honor a tradition as he and his crewmates prepare for launch to the International Space Station. Swanson, Soyuz Commander Alexander Skvortsov of Roscosmos and Flight Engineer Oleg Artemyev of Roscosmos 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

With assistance from crewmates Flight Engineer Sergey Ryazanskiy (left) and Soyuz Commander Oleg Kotov (right), Expedition 37/38 Flight Engineer Michael Hopkins of NASA (center) admires a tree planted in his name in traditional ceremonies behind the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan Sept. 18. 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 their Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, the Expedition 32/33 backup crew members participate in a rendezvous and docking practice session using laptop computer simulators July 9, 2012 as they train for support of the prime crew’s launch July 15 to the International Space Station in the Soyuz TMA-05M spacecraft. From left to right with their instructors are backup Flight Engineer Tom Marshburn of NASA, backup Soyuz Commander Roman Romanenko and backup Flight Engineer Chris Hadfield of the Canadian Space Agency. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the Expedition 30 prime and backup crews pose for pictures around a poster of Yuri Gagarin, the first human to fly in space, as they toured the Korolev Museum November 9, 2011 following a final inspection of their Soyuz TMA-22 spacecraft. From left to right are the prime crew, Expedition 30 Commander Dan Burbank of NASA, Flight Engineer Anatoly Ivanishin, Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov, and the backup crew, Gennady Padalka, Joe Acaba of NASA and Sergei Revin. Burbank, Shkaplerov and Ivanishin are completing training for launch November 14 on the Soyuz TMA-22 from Baikonur to the International Space Station. Credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov

NASA/Victor Zelentsov

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

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

In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the Soyuz TMA-10M spacecraft is prepared for encapsulation into the third stage of a Soyuz booster rocket Sept. 19. The Soyuz spacecraft will move to its launch pad Sept. 23 for final preparations for launch Sept. 26, Kazakh time, to carry Expedition 37/38 Flight Engineer Michael Hopkins of NASA, Soyuz Commander Oleg Kotov and Flight Engineer Sergey Ryazanskiy into orbit for the start of a five and a half 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 conducts pressure and leak checks to his “Sokol” launch and entry suit May 3, 2012 during a suited dress rehearsal of launch day activities as part of the final training he, Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka and Flight Engineer Sergei Revin are undergoing in advance of their launch May 15 on the Soyuz TMA-04M spacecraft to the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

In Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 34/35 Flight Engineer Chris Hadfield of the Canadian Space Agency (third from left) is greeted by a Russian space official as he, Flight Engineer Tom Marshburn of NASA (far left), Soyuz Commander Roman Romanenko (second 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

At the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, a technician conducts a leak check of the Russian Sokol launch and entry suit of Expedition 30 Commander Dan Burbank of NASA during the first of two “fit checks” of the Soyuz TMA-22 spacecraft he, Flight Engineer Anatoly Ivanishin and Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov will launch in November 14 from Baikonur to the International Space Station. November 1, 2011 Credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov

Soyuz TMA-20 spacecraft during mating operations to the booster on December 12, 2010 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan in advance of the launch of the Expedition 26 crew, Kondratyev, Coleman and Nespoli, on December 16, Baikonur time, to the International Space Station. -NASA/Victor Zelentsov

Behind their crew quarters at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 30 Commander Dan Burbank of NASA (left), Flight Engineer Anatoly Ivanishin (center) and Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov plant a tree November 8, 2011 as part of the traditional pre-launch ceremonies near their launch site. The trio will launch November 14 in their Soyuz TMA-22 spacecraft bound for the International Space Station. Credit : NASA/Victor Zelentsov

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 34/35 Flight Engineer Chris Hadfield of the Canadian Space Agency strikes a playful pose with his Sokol launch and entry suit Dec. 7, 2012 during a “fit check” dress rehearsal. Hadfield, Soyuz Commander Roman Romanenko and Flight Engineer Tom Marshburn of NASA are preparing for launch Dec. 19 in their Soyuz TMA-07M spacecraft for a five-month mission on the International Space Station. Photo Credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the Soyuz TMA-04M spacecraft stands poised in its integration facility May 8, 2012 ready to be enshrouded in the upper stage of the rocket that will launch it and 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

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 33/34 Flight Engineer Kevin Ford of NASA undergoes a pressure and leak check of his Russian Sokol launch and entry suit in the Site 254 Integration Facility October 10, 2012 during the first of two “fit check” dress rehearsal sessions. Ford, Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy and Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin are in the final phase of their training for launch October 23 in their Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft for a five-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

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

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

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

As Russian and Kazakh officials look on, the Expedition 34/35 prime and backup crewmembers raised the flags of Russia, the U.S., Canada and Kazakhstan during traditional ceremonies Dec. 9, 2012 outside their Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. At the flagpoles from left to right are prime Soyuz Commander Roman Romanenko and his backup, Fyodor Yurchikhin, prime Flight Engineer Chris Hadfield of the Canadian Space Agency, backup NASA Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg and prime NASA Flight Engineer Tom Marshburn, and backup Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency. Marshburn, Romanenko and Hadfield 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

In Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 34/35 backup crewmembers Karen Nyberg of NASA (left) , Fyodor Yurchikhin (center) and Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency (right) pose for pictures Dec. 9, 2012 in front of a statue of Yuri Gagarin, the first human to fly in space, during a traditional tour of the city. 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

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

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 31/32 Flight Engineer Joe Acaba of NASA (left), Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka (center) and Flight Engineer Sergei Revin walk past their Soyuz booster rocket in the Cosmodrome’s integration facility May 3, 2012 following a suited “fit check” dress rehearsal of launch day activities in advance of their launch May 15 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 37/38 Flight Engineer Michael Hopkins of NASA is helped into his Russian Sokol launch and entry suit Sept. 14 for 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

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 from.NASA/Victor Zelentso v

JSC2011-E-030362 (1 April 2011) --- The upper stage of the Soyuz TMA-21 spacecraft is moved into position for mating with the rest of the Soyuz booster at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan April 1, 2011. Preparations continue for the launch of the Expedition 27 crew to the International Space Station April 5 (Kazakhstan time). Astronaut Ron Garan of NASA, along with Russian cosmonauts Alexander Samokutyaev (Soyuz commander) and Andrey Borisenko will be aboard the Soyuz, which is dubbed ?Gagarin?, for the launch that will occur just one week shy of the launch of Yuri Gagarin on April 12, 1961 to become the first human to fly in space. Photo credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov

At the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 34/35 crewmembers Flight Engineer Chris Hadfield of the Canadian Space Agency (left), Soyuz Commander Roman Romanenko (center) and Flight Engineer Tom Marshburn (right) take a stroll down the Walk of Cosmonauts Dec. 13, 2012 as part of traditional pre-launch ceremonies. The trio will launch Dec. 19 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan Dec. 19 on the Soyuz TMA-07M spacecraft for a five-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

JSC2011-E-030083 (31 March 2011) --- At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, NASA astronaut Ron Garan (left), Expedition 27 flight engineer; Russian cosmonauts Alexander Samokutyaev (center), Soyuz commander; and Andrey Borisenko, flight engineer, take a moment from their final Soyuz training session March 31, 2011 as preparations continue for their launch April 5 (Kazakhstan time) on the Soyuz TMA-21 spacecraft to the International Space Station. The Soyuz, which has been dubbed ?Gagarin?, is launching one week shy of the 50th anniversary of the launch of Yuri Gagarin from the same launch pad in Baikonur on April 12, 1961 to become the first human to fly in space. The first stage of the Soyuz booster behind them is emblazoned with the name ?Gagarin? and the likeness of the first person to fly in space. Photo credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov

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

Behind the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 31/32 Flight Engineer Joe Acaba of NASA (center) plants a tree in his name in a traditional ceremony May 10, 2012 as his crewmates looked on. Acaba will launch on the Soyuz TMA-04M spacecraft on May 15 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome with Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka (left) and Flight Engineer Sergei Revin (right) for a four-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

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

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

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 32/33 Flight Engineer Sunita Williams of NASA works through procedures in the Soyuz TMA-05M spacecraft July 3, 2012 during a suited “fit check” of the vehicle in which she, Soyuz Commander Yuri Malenchenko and Flight Engineer Aki Hoshide of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency will launch July 15 to 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 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

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

NASA/Victor Zelentsov

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

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 32/33 Flight Engineer Aki Hoshide of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency participates in a leak check of his Russian launch and entry suit July 3, 2012 as part of the suited “fit check” of the Soyuz TMA-05M spacecraft 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 Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 34/35 backup Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency (left) has a chat with prime Flight Engineer Chris Hadfield of the Canadian Space Agency (right) while on exercise equipment Dec. 13, 2012 as preparations continue for the launch of Hadfield, NASA Flight Engineer Tom Marshburn of NASA and Soyuz Commander Roman Romanenko Dec. 19 on the Soyuz TMA-07M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a five-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

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

JSC2010-E-044366 (30 March 2010) --- In preparation for an April 2 liftoff for Expedition 23, the final assembly for Soyuz TMA-18 was performed March 30 by TsSKB-Progress personnel in the Launch Vehicle Assembly facility at Site 112 of Baikonur Cosmodrome. Photo credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov

13-48-12: At the Korolev Museum at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 38/39 Flight Engineer Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency signs a wall mural of a Soyuz rocket launch during traditional pre-flight activities Nov. 3. Wakata, Soyuz Commander Mikhail Tyurin and Flight Engineer Rick Mastracchio of NASA will launch Nov. 7, Kazakh time, on the Soyuz TMA-11M spacecraft for a six-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

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 as they prepare for the launch of NASA Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg, Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin and Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency May 29, Kazakh time, in the Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft to begin a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. Hoisting the flags of Russia, the U.S., Italy and Kazakhstan from left to right are Yurchikhin, backup Soyuz Commander Mikhail Tyurin, Nyberg, backup NASA Flight Engineer Rick Mastracchio, Parmitano and backup Flight Engineer Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

Expedition 37/38 Flight Engineer Michael Hopkins of NASA poses for photos by a tree planted in his name behind the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan Sept. 18. The tree planting was part of traditional ceremonies as Hopkins, Kotov and Ryazanskiy prepare 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

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

Expedition 33/34 Flight Engineer Kevin Ford of NASA (left), Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy (center) and Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin (right) pose for pictures in front of a model of Sputnik 1, the world’s first artificial satellite, in the Korolev Museum at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan October 18, 2012. The trio completed a final “fit check” dress rehearsal, preparing for launch October 23 in their Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft from the Cosmodrome for a five-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the Expedition 33/34 crew shared a playful moment October 10, 2012 during the first of two so-called “fit check” dress rehearsal sessions, hoisting their Russian Sokol launch and entry suits over their heads as they prepared for launch October 23 in their Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft to begin a five-month mission on the International Space Station. From left to right are NASA Flight Engineer Kevin Ford, Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy and Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the Expedition 33/34 crew posed for pictures October 10, 2012 in front of their Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft during the first of two “fit check” dress rehearsal sessions. NASA Flight Engineer Kevin Ford (left), Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy (center) and Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin (right) are in the final phase of their training for launch October 23 for a five-month mission on the International Space Station. Novitskiy is holding a toy hippopotamus that will serve as a “zero-g” indicator over his head while he is strapped into the center seat of the descent module section of the Soyuz during its nine minute climb from the launch pad to orbit. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

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

NASA/Victor Zelentsov

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 34/35 Flight Engineer Tom Marshburn of NASA strikes a serious pose during leak checks of his Russian Sokol launch and entry suit Dec. 7, 2012, part of a “fit check” dress rehearsal for launch in the Soyuz TMA-07M spacecraft. Marshburn, Soyuz Commander Roman Romanenko and Flight Engineer Chris Hadfield of the Canadian Space Agency will launch Dec. 19 for a five-month mission on the International Space Station. Photo Credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov

At his Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 37/38 Flight Engineer Michael Hopkins of NASA engages in a round of weightlifting Sept. 18 as part of a media availability for reporters and photographers. Hopkins, Soyuz Commander Oleg Kotov and Flight Engineer Sergey 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

Expedition 37/38 Flight Engineer Michael Hopkins of NASA (left), Soyuz Commander Oleg Kotov (center) and Flight Engineer Sergey Ryazanskiy (right) walk to ground transportation at an airport in Baikonur, Kazakhstan near the launch site at the Baikonur Cosmodrome Sept. 13 following a flight from their training base outside of Moscow. Hopkins, Kotov and Ryazanskiy will launch from Baikonur Sept. 26, Kazakh time, in the Soyuz TMA-10M spacecraft for a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

NASA/Victor Zelentsov

12-19-33: Adorned with the artwork and the colors of the 2014 Winter Olympics to be held in Sochi, Russia, the Soyuz rocket that will launch Nov. 7, Kazakh time, to carry Expedition 38/39 Soyuz Commander Mikhail Tyurin, Flight Engineer Rick Mastracchio of NASA and Flight Engineer Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency into orbit is moved into position Nov. 3 for its rollout to the launch pad Nov. 5. The three crewmembers will be aboard the Soyuz TMA-11M spacecraft for the launch that will begin their six-month mission on the International Space Station. Launching with them to spend four days on the station is the Olympic torch that will light the flame at the Opening Ceremonies in Sochi Feb. 7, 2014 to begin the winter games. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

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

Photographer: Victor Zelentsov

The first stage of the Soyuz TMA-05M vehicle --- known as the “business end” --- is shown at the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan July 11, 2012 awaiting mating to the spacecraft’s upper stages 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 Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 33/34 Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy (center) practices docking techniques on a laptop computer simulator as Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center instructors look on October 17, 2012. Joining Novitskiy are Flight Engineer Kevin Ford of NASA (left) and Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin (right) as they prepare for launch October 23 to the International Space Station in their Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft. The trio will spend five months on the orbital laboratory. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

Expedition 27 tree planting – March 29, 2011

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