Expedition 26 Commander Scott Kelly performs the traditional sighing of the helicopter that flew him from Arkalyk to Kustanay, Kazakhstan after he and Expedition 26 Flight Engineers Oleg Skripochka and Alexander Kaleri landed in their Soyuz TMA-01M capsule near the town of Arkalyk, Kazakhstan on Wednesday, March 16, 2011. NASA Astronaut Kelly, Russian Cosmonauts Skripochka and Kaleri are returning from almost six months onboard the International Space Station where they served as members of the Expedition 25 and 26 crews. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
Expedition 26 Flight Engineer Oleg Skripochka rest in a chair shortly after he and fellow crew members Scott Kelly and Alexander Kaleri landed in their Soyuz TMA-01M capsule near the town of Arkalyk, Kazakhstan on Wednesday, March 16, 2011. NASA Astronaut Kelly, Russian Cosmonauts Skripochka and Kaleri are returning from almost six months onboard the International Space Station where they served as members of the Expedition 25 and 26 crews. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
Expedition 26 Flight Engineer Alexander Kaleri rest in a chair shortly after he and fellow crew members Scott Kelly and Oleg Skripochka landed in their Soyuz TMA-01M capsule near the town of Arkalyk, Kazakhstan on Wednesday, March 16, 2011. NASA Astronaut Kelly, Russian Cosmonauts Skripochka and Kaleri are returning from almost six months onboard the International Space Station where they served as members of the Expedition 25 and 26 crews. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
Expedition 26 Commander Scott Kelly rest in a chair shortly after he and fellow crew members Alexander Kaleri and Oleg Skripochka landed in their Soyuz TMA-01M capsule near the town of Arkalyk, Kazakhstan on Wednesday, March 16, 2011. NASA Astronaut Kelly, Russian Cosmonauts Skripochka and Kaleri are returning from almost six months onboard the International Space Station where they served as members of the Expedition 25 and 26 crews. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
The Soyuz TMA-01M spacecraft is seen as it lands with Expedition 26 Commander Scott Kelly and Flight Engineers Oleg Skripochka and Alexander Kaleri near the town of Arkalyk, Kazakhstan on Wednesday, March 16, 2011. NASA Astronaut Kelly, Russian Cosmonauts Skripochka and Kaleri are returning from almost six months onboard the International Space Station where they served as members of the Expedition 25 and 26 crews. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
Expedition 26 Commander Scott Kelly wears a blue wrist band that has a peace symbol, a heart and the word "Gabby" to show his love of his sister-in-law U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords as he rest onboard a Russian Search and Rescue helicopter shortly after he and fellow crew members Oleg Skripochka and Alexander Kaleri landed in their Soyuz TMA-01M capsule near the town of Arkalyk, Kazakhstan on Wednesday, March 16, 2011. NASA Astronaut Kelly, Russian Cosmonauts Skripochka and Kaleri are returning from almost six months onboard the International Space Station where they served as members of the Expedition 25 and 26 crews. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
Expedition 26 Commander Scott Kelly listens to reporters questions while wearing a traditional Kazakh hat at the Kustanay, Kazakhstan airport on Wednesday, March 16, 2011 after he and fellow crew members Alexander Kaleri and Oleg Skripochka landed in their Soyuz TMA-01M capsule near the town of Arkalyk, Kazakhstan. NASA Astronaut Kelly, Russian Cosmonauts Skripochka and Kaleri are returning from almost six months onboard the International Space Station where they served as members of the Expedition 25 and 26 crews. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
Expedition 26 Commander Scott Kelly looks out the window of a Russian Search and Rescue helicopter before the two hour helicopter ride to Kustanay, Kazakhstan shortly after he and fellow crew members Oleg Skripochka and Alexander Kaleri landed in their Soyuz TMA-01M capsule near the town of Arkalyk, Kazakhstan on Wednesday, March 16, 2011. NASA Astronaut Kelly, Russian Cosmonauts Skripochka and Kaleri are returning from almost six months onboard the International Space Station where they served as members of the Expedition 25 and 26 crews. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
Expedition 26 Flight Engineer Oleg Skripochka listens to reporters questions in traditional Kazakh dress at the Kustanay, Kazakhstan airport on Wednesday, March 16, 2011 after he and fellow crew members Scott Kelly and Alexander Kaleri landed in their Soyuz TMA-01M capsule near the town of Arkalyk, Kazakhstan. NASA Astronaut Kelly, Russian Cosmonauts Skripochka and Kaleri are returning from almost six months onboard the International Space Station where they served as members of the Expedition 25 and 26 crews. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
Expedition 26 Flight Engineer Alexander Kaleri listens to reporters questions while wearing a traditional Kazakh hat at the Kustanay, Kazakhstan airport on Wednesday, March 16, 2011 after he and fellow crew members Scott Kelly and Oleg Skripochka landed in their Soyuz TMA-01M capsule near the town of Arkalyk, Kazakhstan. NASA Astronaut Kelly, Russian Cosmonauts Skripochka and Kaleri are returning from almost six months onboard the International Space Station where they served as members of the Expedition 25 and 26 crews. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
Expedition 26 Flight Engineer Alexander Kaleri, bottom, and Expedition 26 Flight Engineer Oleg Skripochka are seen as they arrive at the Chkalovsky airport outside Star City, Russia several hours after they and Expedition 26 Commander Scott Kelly landed in their Soyuz TMA-01M capsule near the town of Arkalyk, Kazakhstan, Wednesday, March 16, 2011. NASA Astronaut Kelly, Russian Cosmonauts Skripochka and Kaleri are returning from almost six months onboard the International Space Station where they served as members of the Expedition 25 and 26 crews. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
A Russian all terrain vehicle (ATV) takes Expedition 26 Commander Scott Kelly to a helicopter from the Soyuz TMA-01M spacecraft shortly after the capsule landed with Kelly and Expedition 26 Flight Engineers Oleg Skripochka and Alexander Kaleri near the town of Arkalyk, Kazakhstan on Wednesday, March 16, 2011. NASA Astronaut Kelly, Russian Cosmonauts Skripochka and Kaleri are returning from almost six months onboard the International Space Station where they served as members of the Expedition 25 and 26 crews. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
A Russian all terrain vehicle (ATV) takes Expedition 26 Commander Scott Kelly to a helicopter from the Soyuz TMA-01M spacecraft shortly after the capsule landed with Kelly and Expedition 26 Flight Engineers Oleg Skripochka and Alexander Kaleri near the town of Arkalyk, Kazakhstan on Wednesday, March 16, 2011. NASA Astronaut Kelly, Russian Cosmonauts Skripochka and Kaleri are returning from almost six months onboard the International Space Station where they served as members of the Expedition 25 and 26 crews. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
Expedition 26 Commander Scott Kelly is helped as he exits a Russian all terrain vehicle (ATV) that delivered him to a helicopter from the Soyuz TMA-01M spacecraft shortly after the capsule landed with Kelly and Expedition 26 Flight Engineers Oleg Skripochka and Alexander Kaleri near the town of Arkalyk, Kazakhstan on Wednesday, March 16, 2011. NASA Astronaut Kelly, Russian Cosmonauts Skripochka and Kaleri are returning from almost six months onboard the International Space Station where they served as members of the Expedition 25 and 26 crews. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
THEMIS Images As Art #26
Russian support personnel work to help get crew members out of the Soyuz TMA-01M spacecraft shortly after the capsule landed with Expedition 26 Commander Scott Kelly and Flight Engineers Oleg Skripochka and Alexander Kaleri near the town of Arkalyk, Kazakhstan on Wednesday, March 16, 2011. NASA Astronaut Kelly, Russian Cosmonauts Skripochka and Kaleri are returning from almost six months onboard the International Space Station where they served as members of the Expedition 25 and 26 crews. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
Russian support personnel work to help get crew members out of the Soyuz TMA-01M spacecraft shortly after the capsule landed with Expedition 26 Commander Scott Kelly and Flight Engineers Oleg Skripochka and Alexander Kaleri near the town of Arkalyk, Kazakhstan on Wednesday, March 16, 2011. NASA Astronaut Kelly, Russian Cosmonauts Skripochka and Kaleri are returning from almost six months onboard the International Space Station where they served as members of the Expedition 25 and 26 crews. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
Russian support personnel work to help get crew members out of the Soyuz TMA-01M spacecraft shortly after the capsule landed with Expedition 26 Commander Scott Kelly and Flight Engineers Oleg Skripochka and Alexander Kaleri near the town of Arkalyk, Kazakhstan on Wednesday, March 16, 2011. NASA Astronaut Kelly, Russian Cosmonauts Skripochka and Kaleri are returning from almost six months onboard the International Space Station where they served as members of the Expedition 25 and 26 crews. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
Russian support personnel work to help get crew members out of the Soyuz TMA-01M spacecraft shortly after the capsule landed with Expedition 26 Commander Scott Kelly and Flight Engineers Oleg Skripochka and Alexander Kaleri near the town of Arkalyk, Kazakhstan on Wednesday, March 16, 2011. NASA Astronaut Kelly, Russian Cosmonauts Skripochka and Kaleri are returning from almost six months onboard the International Space Station where they served as members of the Expedition 25 and 26 crews. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
Russian support personnel work to help get crew members out of the Soyuz TMA-01M spacecraft shortly after the capsule landed with Expedition 26 Commander Scott Kelly and Flight Engineers Oleg Skripochka and Alexander Kaleri near the town of Arkalyk, Kazakhstan on Wednesday, March 16, 2011. NASA Astronaut Kelly, Russian Cosmonauts Skripochka and Kaleri are returning from almost six months onboard the International Space Station where they served as members of the Expedition 25 and 26 crews. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
The Soyuz TMA-01M spacecraft is seen as it lands with Expedition 26 Commander Scott Kelly and Flight Engineers Oleg Skripochka and Alexander Kaleri near the town of Arkalyk, Kazakhstan on Wednesday, March 16, 2011. NASA Astronaut Kelly, Russian Cosmonauts Skripochka and Kaleri are returning from almost six months onboard the International Space Station where they served as members of the Expedition 25 and 26 crews. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
Expedition 26 Flight Engineer Oleg Skripochka, left, Flight Engineer Alexander Kaleri, center, and Commander Scott Kelly, sit in chairs outside the Soyuz Capsule just minutes after they landed near the town of Arkalyk, Kazakhstan on Wednesday, March 16, 2011. NASA Astronaut Kelly, Russian Cosmonauts Skripochka and Kaleri are returning from almost six months onboard the International Space Station where they served as members of the Expedition 25 and 26 crews. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
A Russian Search and Rescue helicopter arrives as the Soyuz TMA-01M spacecraft lands with Expedition 26 Commander Scott Kelly and Flight Engineers Oleg Skripochka and Alexander Kaleri near the town of Arkalyk, Kazakhstan on Wednesday, March 16, 2011. NASA Astronaut Kelly, Russian Cosmonauts Skripochka and Kaleri are returning from almost six months onboard the International Space Station where they served as members of the Expedition 25 and 26 crews. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
Russian support personnel work to help get crew members out of the Soyuz TMA-01M spacecraft shortly after the capsule landed with Expedition 26 Commander Scott Kelly and Flight Engineers Oleg Skripochka and Alexander Kaleri near the town of Arkalyk, Kazakhstan on Wednesday, March 16, 2011. NASA Astronaut Kelly, Russian Cosmonauts Skripochka and Kaleri are returning from almost six months onboard the International Space Station where they served as members of the Expedition 25 and 26 crews. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
A Russian Search and Rescue helicopter arrives as the Soyuz TMA-01M spacecraft lands with Expedition 26 Commander Scott Kelly and Flight Engineers Oleg Skripochka and Alexander Kaleri near the town of Arkalyk, Kazakhstan on Wednesday, March 16, 2011. NASA Astronaut Kelly, Russian Cosmonauts Skripochka and Kaleri are returning from almost six months onboard the International Space Station where they served as members of the Expedition 25 and 26 crews. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
Anatoly Ivanishin, Expedition 26 back up crew member is seen at the State Commission meeting held at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
Expedition 26 back up crew member Michael Fossum is seen at the State Commission press conference held at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
Catherine Coleman, Expedition 26 Flight Engineer is seen at the State Commission meeting held at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
Expedition 26 Soyuz Commander Dmitry Kondratyev is seen at the State Commission press conference held at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
Expedition 26 Flight Engineer Catherine Coleman is seen talking at the State Commission press conference held at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
Michael Fossum, Expedition 26 back up crew member, is seen at the State Commission meeting held at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
Dmitry Kondratyev, Expedition 26 Soyuz Commander, is seen at the State Commission meeting held at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
Expedition 26 Flight Engineer Catherine Coleman is seen at the State Commission press conference held at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
Expedition 26 Soyuz Commander Dmitry Kondratyev speaks at the State Commission press conference held at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
Anatoly Ivanishin, Expedition 26 back up crew member, speaks at the State Commission press conference held at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
Catherine Coleman, Expedition 26 Flight Engineer, is seen at the State Commission meeting held at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
Expedition 26 Flight Engineer Catherine Coleman plays "A Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen on the flute as Dmitry Kondratyev, Expedition 26 Soyuz Commander looks on at the State Commission press conference held at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
Expedition 26 Soyuz Commander Dmitry Kondratyev holds a patch as Expedition 26 Flight Engineer Catherine Coleman, left, looks on at the State Commission press conference held at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
Expeditionn 26 Soyuz Commander Dmitry Kondratyev, right, speaks as Expedition 26 Flight Engineer Catherine Coleman looks on at the State Commission press conference held at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
Technicians at the Launch and Landing Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida receive scientific research samples for processing at the spaceport’s Space Station Processing Facility on Jan. 11, 2023. The experiments returned to Earth on SpaceX's 26th commercial resupply services mission, which launched from Kennedy’s Pad 39A at 2:20 p.m. EST on Nov. 26, 2022, making its successful parachute-assisted splashdown west of Tampa in the Gulf of Mexico, at 5:19 a.m. EST on Jan. 11. The SpaceX cargo Dragon returned approximately 4,400 pounds of scientific experiments and other cargo from the International Space Station. Splashing down off the coast of Florida enables quick transportation of the experiments, allowing SpaceX to retrieve Dragon and offload time-sensitive research cargo to pack on an Airbus H225 helicopter for delivery to Kennedy just hours later. Some of the scientific investigations that Dragon returned include those on deep space radiation protection, hydroponic and aeroponic plants, and bioprospecting, which is identifying plants and animals that may contain substances with potential for use as drugs, biochemicals, and more.
Technicians at the Launch and Landing Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida receive scientific research samples for processing at the spaceport’s Space Station Processing Facility on Jan. 11, 2023. The experiments returned to Earth on SpaceX's 26th commercial resupply services mission, which launched from Kennedy’s Pad 39A at 2:20 p.m. EST on Nov. 26, 2022, making its successful parachute-assisted splashdown west of Tampa in the Gulf of Mexico, at 5:19 a.m. EST on Jan. 11. The SpaceX cargo Dragon returned approximately 4,400 pounds of scientific experiments and other cargo from the International Space Station. Splashing down off the coast of Florida enables quick transportation of the experiments, allowing SpaceX to retrieve Dragon and offload time-sensitive research cargo to pack on an Airbus H225 helicopter for delivery to Kennedy just hours later. Some of the scientific investigations that Dragon returned include those on deep space radiation protection, hydroponic and aeroponic plants, and bioprospecting, which is identifying plants and animals that may contain substances with potential for use as drugs, biochemicals, and more.
An Airbus H225 helicopter lands at the Launch and Landing Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Jan. 11, 2023, delivering scientific research samples for processing at the spaceport’s Space Station Processing Facility. The experiments returned to Earth on SpaceX's 26th commercial resupply services mission, which launched from Kennedy’s Pad 39A at 2:20 p.m. EST on Nov. 26, 2022, making its successful parachute-assisted splashdown west of Tampa in the Gulf of Mexico at 5:19 a.m. EST on Jan. 11. The SpaceX cargo Dragon returned approximately 4,400 pounds of scientific experiments and other cargo from the International Space Station. Splashing down off the coast of Florida enables quick transportation of the experiments, allowing SpaceX to retrieve Dragon and offload time-sensitive research cargo to pack on an Airbus H225 helicopter for delivery to Kennedy just hours later. Some of the scientific investigations that Dragon returned include those on deep space radiation protection, hydroponic and aeroponic plants, and bioprospecting, which is identifying plants and animals that may contain substances with potential for use as drugs, biochemicals, and more.
Expedition 26 Flight Engineer Catherine Coleman plays "A Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen on the flute at the State Commission press conference held at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
Expedition 26 Soyuz Commander Dmitry Kondratyev has his Russian Sokol suit pressure checked at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2010. Kondratyev and fellow Expedition 26 crew members NASA Flight Engineer Catherine Coleman and European Space Agency astronaut Paolo Nespoli launched in their Soyuz TMA-20 rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan the following morning at 1:09 a.m. local time. (Photo Credit: NASA/Carla Cioffi)
Expedition 26 NASA Flight Engineer Catherine Coleman performs the traditional door signing Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2010 at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Coleman was launched onboard the Soyuz rocket the following morning with Expedition 26 Soyuz Commander Dmitry Kondratyev and ESA Flight Engineer Paolo Nespoli on a mission to the International Space Station (ISS). Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
Expedition 26 European Space Agency astronaut Paolo Nespoli has his Russian Sokol suit pressure checked at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2010. Nespoli and fellow Expedition 26 crew members Soyuz Commander Dmitry Kondratryev and NASA Flight Engineer Catherine Coleman launched in their Soyuz TMA-20 rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan the following morning at 1:09 a.m. local time. (Photo Credit: NASA/Carla Cioffi)
Expedition 26 Soyuz Commander Dmitry Kondratyev has his Russian Sokol suit pressure checked at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2010. Kondratyev and fellow Expedition 26 crew members NASA Flight Engineer Catherine Coleman and European Space Agency astronaut Paolo Nespoli launched in their Soyuz TMA-20 rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan the following morning at 1:09 a.m. local time. (Photo Credit: NASA/Carla Cioffi)
Italian astronaut Paolo Nespoli, Expedition 26 Flight Engineer, left, answers a question as Michael Fossum, Expedition 26 back up crew member and Anatoly Ivanishin, Expedition 26 back up crew member, right, look on during the State Commission press conference held at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
Expedition 26 Flight Engineer Catherine Coleman, smiling, and Expedition 26 Soyuz Commander Dmitry Kondratyev wait to have their Russian Sokol suits pressure checked at the Baikonur Cosmodrome Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2010 in Kazakhstan. Expedition 26 back up crew members Satoshi Furukawa, standing far right, and Anatoly Ivanishin are seen as they support the prime crew. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
Paolo Nespoli, Italian astronaut and Expedition 26 Flight Engineer, is seen at the State Commission meeting held at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
Expedition 26 Flight Engineer and Italian astronaut Paolo Nespoli speaks at the State Commission press conference held at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
Catherine Coleman, Expedition 26 Flight Engineer, speaks at the State Commission meeting held at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
Catherine Coleman, Expedition 26 Flight Engineer, speaks at the State Commission meeting held at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
Expedition 26 Flight Engineer and Italian astronaut Paolo Nespoli is seen at the State Commission press conference held at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
Expedition 26 Flight Engineer Paolo Nespoli, right, speaks as Expedition 26 Soyuz Commander Dmitry Kondratyev, looks on at the State Commission press conference held at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
Expedition 26 Flight Engineer Catherine Coleman, left, Expedition 26 Soyuz Commander Dmitry Kondratyev and Flight Engineer Paolo Nespoli, right, join hands following the State Commission press conference held at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
Expedition 26 Flight Engineer Paolo Nespoli, right, speaks at the State Commission press conference held at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010, as Soyuz Commander Dmitry Kondratyev and Expedition 26 Flight Engineer Catherine Coleman look on. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
Documentary views of the STS-26 Flight Readiness Firing at KSC, Pad 39B, on 10 Aug 1988. (KSC-88PC-752 closer) (KSC-88PC-752, 753)
Expedition 26 European Space Agency astronaut Paolo Nespoli has his Russian Sokol suit pressure checked, while Expedition 26 Flight Engineer Catherine Coleman, far right, speaks with back up crew member Mike Fossum at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2010. Nespoli and fellow Expedition 26 crew members Soyuz Commander Dmitry Kondratryev and NASA Flight Engineer Catherine Coleman launched in their Soyuz TMA-20 rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan the following morning at 1:09 a.m. local time. (Photo Credit: NASA/Carla Cioffi)
Vladislav Kondratyev, son of Expedition 26 Soyuz Commander Dmitry Kondratyev, is seen at Russian Mission Control in Korolev, Russia speaking to his father shortly after his arrival at the International Space Station on Saturday, Dec. 18, 2010. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
Kirk Shireman, second from right, NASA's ISS Deputy Program Manager, is seen at Russian Mission Control in Korolev, Russia speaking to the crew of Expedition 26 shortly after their arrival at the International Space Station on Saturday, Dec. 18, 2010. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
Jamey Simpson, son of Expedition 26 Flight Engineer Catherine Coleman, is seen at Russian Mission Control in Korolev, Russia speaking to his mother shortly after her arrival at the International Space Station on Saturday, Dec. 18, 2010. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
Josh Simpson, husband of Expedition 26 Flight Engineer Catherine Coleman, is seen at Russian Mission Control in Korolev, Russia speaking to his wife shortly after her arrival at the International Space Station on Saturday, Dec. 18, 2010. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
S87-40673 (September 1987) --- Astronauts Frederick H. (Rick) Hauck (right front), mission commander, and Richard O. Covey (left front), pilot, are flanked by NASA's STS-26 mission specialists (l.-r.) David C. Hilmers, George D. (Pinky) Nelson and John M. (Mike) Lounge.
Expedition 26 NASA Flight Engineer Catherine Coleman has her Russian Sokol suit pressure checked prior to her launch at the Baikonur Cosmodrome Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2010 in Kazakhstan. Coleman and fellow Expedition 26 crew members Soyuz Commander Dmitry Kondratryev and ESA Flight Engineer Paolo Nespoli launched in their Soyuz TMA-20 rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan the following morning at 1:09 a.m. local time. (Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
Expedition 26 NASA Flight Engineer Catherine Coleman has her Russian Sokol suit pressure checked prior to her launch at the Baikonur Cosmodrome Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2010 in Kazakhstan. Coleman and fellow Expedition 26 crew members Soyuz Commander Dmitry Kondratryev and ESA Flight Engineer Paolo Nespoli launched in their Soyuz TMA-20 rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan the following morning at 1:09 a.m. local time. (Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
Expedition 26 NASA Flight Engineer Catherine Coleman has her Russian Sokol suit pressure checked prior to her launch at the Baikonur Cosmodrome Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2010 in Kazakhstan. Coleman and fellow Expedition 26 crew members Soyuz Commander Dmitry Kondratryev and ESA Flight Engineer Paolo Nespoli launched in their Soyuz TMA-20 rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan the following morning at 1:09 a.m. local time. (Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
Expedition 26 European Space Agency astronaut and Flight Engineer Paolo Nespoli performs the traditional door signing Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2010 at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Nespoli was launched onboard the Soyuz rocket the following morning with Expedition 26 Soyuz Commander Dmitry Kondratyev and NASA Flight Engineer Catherine Coleman on a mission to the International Space Station (ISS). Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
Expedition 26 European Space Agency astronaut Paolo Nespoli has his Russian Sokol suit pressure checked at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2010. Nespoli and fellow Expedition 26 crew members Soyuz Commander Dmitry Kondratryev and NASA Flight Engineer Catherine Coleman launched in their Soyuz TMA-20 rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan the following morning at 1:09 a.m. local time. (Photo Credit: NASA/Carla Cioffi)
Expedition 26 European Space Agency astronaut Paolo Nespoli has his Russian Sokol suit pressure checked at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2010. Nespoli and fellow Expedition 26 crew members Soyuz Commander Dmitry Kondratryev and NASA Flight Engineer Catherine Coleman launched in their Soyuz TMA-20 rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan the following morning at 1:09 a.m. local time. (Photo Credit: NASA/Carla Cioffi)
Expedition 26 NASA Flight Engineer Catherine Coleman has her Russian Sokol suit pressure checked prior to her launch at the Baikonur Cosmodrome Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2010 in Kazakhstan. Coleman and fellow Expedition 26 crew members Soyuz Commander Dmitry Kondratryev and ESA Flight Engineer Paolo Nespoli launched in their Soyuz TMA-20 rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan the following morning at 1:09 a.m. local time. (Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
Expedition 26 European Space Agency astronaut Paolo Nespoli has his Russian Sokol suit pressure checked at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2010. Nespoli and fellow Expedition 26 crew members Soyuz Commander Dmitry Kondratryev and NASA Flight Engineer Catherine Coleman launched in their Soyuz TMA-20 rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan the following morning at 1:09 a.m. local time. (Photo Credit: NASA/Carla Cioffi)
Expedition 26 NASA Flight Engineer Catherine Coleman has her Russian Sokol suit pressure checked prior to her launch at the Baikonur Cosmodrome Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2010 in Kazakhstan. Coleman and fellow Expedition 26 crew members Soyuz Commander Dmitry Kondratryev and ESA Flight Engineer Paolo Nespoli launched in their Soyuz TMA-20 rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan the following morning at 1:09 a.m. local time. (Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
Satoshi Furukawa, Expedition 26 back up crew member, is seen at the State Commission meeting held at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
The Soyuz TMA-20 spacecraft is rolled out by train on its way to the launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Monday, Dec. 13, 2010, in Kazakhstan. The launch of the Soyuz spacecraft with Expedition 26 Soyuz Commander Dmitry Kondratyev, NASA Flight Engineer Catherine Coleman, and Italian astronaut Paolo Nespoli is scheduled for Thursday, Dec., 16, 2010 at 1:09 a.m. local time. Photo Credit (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
Kirk Shireman, third from right, NASA's deputy ISS program manager, answers reporter’s questions during a Soyuz post-docking press conference at the Russian Mission Control Center in Korolev, Russia on Saturday, Dec. 18, 2010. The Soyuz TMA-20 docked to the International Space Station carrying Expedition 26 Soyuz Commander Dmitry Kondratyev, Flight Engineer Catherine Coleman and European Space Agency Flight Engineer Paolo Nespoli. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
The Soyuz TMA-20 spacecraft is rolled out by train on its way to the launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Monday, Dec. 13, 2010, in Kazakhstan. The launch of the Soyuz spacecraft with Expedition 26 Soyuz Commander Dmitry Kondratyev, NASA Flight Engineer Catherine Coleman, and Italian astronaut Paolo Nespoli is scheduled for Thursday, Dec., 16, 2010 at 1:09 a.m. local time. Photo Credit (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
The Soyuz TMA-20 spacecraft is rolled out by train on its way to the launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Monday, Dec. 13, 2010, in Kazakhstan. The launch of the Soyuz spacecraft with Expedition 26 Soyuz Commander Dmitry Kondratyev, NASA Flight Engineer Catherine Coleman, and Italian astronaut Paolo Nespoli is scheduled for Thursday, Dec., 16, 2010 at 1:09 a.m. local time. Photo Credit (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
Kirk Shireman, third from right, NASA's deputy ISS program manager, answers reporter’s questions during a Soyuz post-docking press conference at the Russian Mission Control Center in Korolev, Russia on Saturday, Dec. 18, 2010. The Soyuz TMA-20 docked to the International Space Station carrying Expedition 26 Soyuz Commander Dmitry Kondratyev, Flight Engineer Catherine Coleman and European Space Agency Flight Engineer Paolo Nespoli. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
From left; Catherine Coleman, NASA Flight Engineer, Dmitry Kondratyev, Soyuz Commander, Paolo Nespoli, Italian astronaut and Flight Engineer, Michael Fossum, Expedition 26 back up crew member, Anatoly Ivanishin, Expedition 26 back up crew member and Satoshi Furukawa, Expedition 26 back up crew member are seen at the State Commission meeting held at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
From left; Catherine Coleman, NASA Flight Engineer, Dmitry Kondratyev, Soyuz Commander, Paolo Nespoli, Italian astronaut and Flight Engineer, Michael Fossum, Expedition 26 back up crew member, Anatoly Ivanishin, Expedition 26 back up crew member and Satoshi Furukawa, Expedition 26 back up crew member are seen at the State Commission press conference held at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
The Soyuz TMA-20 spacecraft is seen shortly after arrival to the launch pad Monday, Dec. 13, 2010 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The Soyuz is scheduled to launch the crew of Expedition 26 on Thursday, Dec. 16, 2010 at 1:09 a.m. local time. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
The Soyuz TMA-20 spacecraft is seen shortly after arrival to the launch pad Monday, Dec. 13, 2010 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The Soyuz is scheduled to launch the crew of Expedition 26 on Thursday, Dec. 16, 2010 at 1:09 a.m. local time. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
The Soyuz TMA-20 rocket launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Thursday, December 16, 2010 carrying Expedition 26 Soyuz Commander Dmitry Kondratyev of Russia, NASA Flight Engineer Catherine Coleman and European Space Agency astronaut Paolo Nespoli to the International Space Station. (Photo Credit: NASA/Carla Cioffi)
The Soyuz TMA-20 rocket launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Thursday, December 16, 2010 carrying Expedition 26 Soyuz Commander Dmitry Kondratyev of Russia, NASA Flight Engineer Catherine Coleman and European Space Agency astronaut Paolo Nespoli to the International Space Station. (Photo Credit: NASA/Carla Cioffi)
The Soyuz TMA-20 spacecraft is seen as it arrives at the launch pad Monday, Dec. 13, 2010 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The Soyuz is scheduled to launch the crew of Expedition 26 on Thursday, Dec. 16, 2010. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
The Soyuz TMA-20 spacecraft is seen as it arrives at the launch pad Monday, Dec. 13, 2010 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The Soyuz is scheduled to launch the crew of Expedition 26 on Thursday, Dec. 16, 2010. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
Expedition 26 back up crew members Michael Fossum, left, Anatoly Ivanishin and Satoshi Furukawa are seen talking at the State Commission meeting held at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
The Soyuz TMA-20 spacecraft is seen shortly after arriving at the launch pad Monday, Dec. 13, 2010 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The Soyuz is scheduled to launch the crew of Expedition 26 on Thursday, Dec. 16, 2010 at 1:09 a.m. local time. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
The Soyuz TMA-20 spacecraft is seen shortly after arrival to the launch pad Monday, Dec. 13, 2010 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The Soyuz is scheduled to launch the crew of Expedition 26 on Thursday, Dec. 16, 2010 at 1:09 a.m. local time. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
The Soyuz TMA-20 spacecraft is seen as it arrives at the launch pad Monday, Dec. 13, 2010 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The Soyuz is scheduled to launch the crew of Expedition 26 on Thursday, Dec. 16, 2010. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
S88-47522 (10 Sept 1988) --- These five veteran astronauts have been training for over a year to serve as NASA's crew aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery for STS-26. On the front row are Astronauts Frederick H. (Rick) Hauck (right), commander; and Richard O. Covey, pilot. On the back row are Astronauts John M. (Mike) Lounge, David C. Hilmers and George D. Nelson -- all mission specialists. The crewmembers are wearing the orange partial pressure garments that they will be wearing on the launch and entry phases of the flight, scheduled for launch later this month.
The Soyuz TMA-20 rocket launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Thursday, Dec. 16, 2010 carrying Expedition 26 Soyuz Commander Dmitry Kondratyev of Russia, NASA Flight Engineer Cady Coleman of the U.S. and European Space Agency Flight Engineer Paolo Nespoli to the International Space Station. (Photo Credit: NASA/Carla Cioffi)
The Soyuz TMA-20 spacecraft is raised into vertical position at the launch pad of the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Monday, Dec. 13, 2010 in Kazakhstan. The launch of the Soyuz spacecraft with Expedition 26 Soyuz Commander Dmitry Kondratyev, NASA Flight Engineer Catherine Coleman, and Italian astronaut Paolo Nespoli is scheduled for Thursday, Dec., 16, 2010 at 1:09 a.m. local time. Photo Credit (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
NASA Expedition 26 NASA Flight Engineer Catherine Coleman, center, is seen receiving the traditional blessing from a Russian Orthodox priest at the Cosmonaut Hotel the evening before her Soyuz launch to the International Space Station on Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2010 in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Coleman, Soyuz Commander Dmitry Kondratyev and European Space Agency astronaut Paolo Nespoli launched to the ISS onboard a Soyuz rocket the following morning from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
View from the balcony of the Russian Mission Control Center in Korolev, Russia as the Soyuz TMA-20 nears the International Space Station on Saturday, Dec. 18, 2010. The Soyuz TMA-20 docked to the International Space Station carrying Expedition 26 Soyuz Commander Dmitry Kondratyev, Flight Engineer Catherine Coleman and European Space Agency Flight Engineer Paolo Nespoli. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
Vitaly Davyidov, second from right, Deputy Head of the Russian Federal Space Agency, answers reporter’s questions during a Soyuz post-docking press conference at the Russian Mission Control Center in Korolev, Russia on Saturday, Dec. 18, 2010. The Soyuz TMA-20 docked to the International Space Station carrying Expedition 26 Soyuz Commander Dmitry Kondratyev, Flight Engineer Catherine Coleman and European Space Agency Flight Engineer Paolo Nespoli. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
Expedition 26 European Space Agency astronaut Paolo Nespoli has his Russian Sokol suit pressure checked, while his crew mates NASA Flight Engineer Catherine Colemen and Soyuz Commander Dmitry Kondtratyev, far right, look on at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2010. Nespoli, Kondratryev and Coleman launched in their Soyuz TMA-20 rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan the following morning at 1:09 a.m. local time. (Photo Credit: NASA/Carla Cioffi)
Expedition 26 Soyuz Flight Engineer Catherine Coleman, left, and European Space Agency astronaut Paolo Nespoli share a few words during their Russian Sokol suit pressure check at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2010. Coleman, Nespolie and Expedition Soyuz Commander Dmitry Kondratyev launched in their Soyuz TMA-20 rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan the following morning at 1:09 a.m. local time. (Photo Credit: NASA/Carla Cioffi)
The Soyuz TMA-20 rocket launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Thursday, Dec. 16, 2010 carrying Expedition 26 Soyuz Commander Dmitry Kondratyev of Russia, NASA Flight Engineer Cady Coleman of the U.S. and European Space Agency Flight Engineer Paolo Nespoli to the International Space Station. (Photo Credit: NASA/Carla Cioffi)