Expedition 30 NASA astronaut and Flight Engineer Don Pettit performs the traditional door signing Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2011 at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Pettit was launched onboard the Soyuz rocket the same evening with Expedition 30 Soyuz Commander Oleg Kononenko and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Andre Kuiperson a mission to the International Space Station (ISS). Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
Expedition 30 ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Andre Kuipers performs the traditional door signing Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2011 at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Kuipers was launched onboard the Soyuz rocket the same evening with Expedition 30 NASA Flight Engineer Don Pettit and Soyuz Commander and Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko on a mission to the International Space Station (ISS). Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
Expedition 30 NASA astronaut and Flight Engineer Don Pettit performs the traditional door signing Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2011 at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Pettit was launched onboard the Soyuz rocket the same evening with Expedition 30 Soyuz Commander Oleg Kononenko and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Andre Kuiperson a mission to the International Space Station (ISS). Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
Expedition 30 Soyuz Commander Oleg Kononenko is seen after performing the traditional door signing Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2011 at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Kononenko was launched onboard the Soyuz rocket the same evening with Expedition 30 NASA Flight Engineer Don Pettit and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Andre Kuipers on a mission to the International Space Station (ISS). Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
Expedition 30 ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Andre Kuipers, center, is seen as he is escorted to the Soyuz launch pad just hours prior to his launch aboard the Soyuz TMA-03M spacecraft to the International Space Station at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Wednesday, Dec. 21 2011. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
The Soyuz TMA-03M spacecraft is seen at dusk an hour before launch at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2011. The crew of Expedition 30, NASA Flight Engineer Don Pettit, Soyuz Commander Oleg Konenko, ESA (European Space Agency) Andre Kuipers launched at 7:16pm local time to the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
Expedition 30 NASA Flight Engineer Don Pettit, left, receives the traditional blessing from a Russian Orthodox priest at the Cosmonaut Hotel on the day before his Soyuz launch to the International Space Station, Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2011 in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
Expedition 30 Soyuz Commander Oleg Kononenko, center, receives the traditional blessing from a Russian Orthodox priest at the Cosmonaut Hotel on the day before his Soyuz launch to the International Space Station, Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2011 in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
Expedition 30 NASA Flight Engineer Don Pettit, second from left, and Russian cosmonaut and Soyuz Commander Oleg Kononenko, second from right, are seen as they are escorted to the Soyuz launch pad just hours prior to their launch aboard the Soyuz TMA-03M spacecraft to the International Space Station at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Wednesday, Dec. 21 2011. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
The Soyuz TMA-03M spacecraft is seen at dusk an hour before launch at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2011. The crew of Expedition 30, NASA Flight Engineer Don Pettit, Soyuz Commander Oleg Konenko, ESA (European Space Agency) Andre Kuipers launched at 7:16pm local time to the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
Expedition 30 Soyuz Commander Oleg Kononenko, bottom, NASA Flight Engineer Don Pettit of the U.S., and ESA (European Space Agency) Flight Engineer Andre Kuipers, top, wave farewell from the base of the Soyuz rocket at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2011. Kononenko, Pettit and Kuipers launched in their Soyuz TMA-03M rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome at 7:16 p.m. local time. (Photo Credit: NASA/Carla Cioffi)
Expedition 30 ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Andre Kuipers, center, receives the traditional blessing from a Russian Orthodox priest at the Cosmonaut Hotel on the day before his Soyuz launch to the International Space Station, Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2011 in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
The Soyuz TMA-03M spacecraft is obscured by the venting of liquid oxygen on it's launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2011 just hours before its launch to send the crew of Expedition 30 NASA Flight Engineer Don Pettit, Soyuz Commander Oleg Konenko, ESA (European Space Agency Andre Kuipers to the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, the next trio to launch to the International Space Station share a light moment during their traditional crew news conference Dec. 1, 2011. From left to right are Expedition 30 NASA Flight Engineer Don Pettit, Flight Engineer Andre Kuipers of the European Space Agency and Soyuz Commander Oleg Kononenko. The crewmembers will launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Dec. 21 on their Soyuz TMA-03M spacecraft. Credit: NASA
The Soyuz TMA-03M spacecraft is obscured by the venting of liquid oxygen on it's launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2011 just hours before its launch to send the crew of Expedition 30 NASA Flight Engineer Don Pettit, Soyuz Commander Oleg Konenko, ESA (European Space Agency Andre Kuipers to the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
PHOTO DATE: 03-30-11 LOCATION: Building 261 - Room 138 SUBJECT: Expedition 32 Preflight Training with Joe Acaba during Treadmill Kinematics Baseline Data Collection WORK ORDER: 2011-0784 PHOTOGRAPHER: James Blair
PHOTO DATE: 03-30-11 LOCATION: Building 261 - Room 138 SUBJECT: Expedition 32 Preflight Training with Joe Acaba during Treadmill Kinematics Baseline Data Collection WORK ORDER: 2011-0784 PHOTOGRAPHER: James Blair
PHOTO DATE: 03-30-11 LOCATION: Building 261 - Room 138 SUBJECT: Expedition 32 Preflight Training with Joe Acaba during Treadmill Kinematics Baseline Data Collection WORK ORDER: 2011-0784 PHOTOGRAPHER: James Blair
PHOTO DATE: 03-30-11 LOCATION: Building 261 - Room 138 SUBJECT: Expedition 32 Preflight Training with Joe Acaba during Treadmill Kinematics Baseline Data Collection WORK ORDER: 2011-0784 PHOTOGRAPHER: James Blair
PHOTO DATE: 03-30-11 LOCATION: Building 261 - Room 138 SUBJECT: Expedition 32 Preflight Training with Joe Acaba during Treadmill Kinematics Baseline Data Collection WORK ORDER: 2011-0784 PHOTOGRAPHER: James Blair
JSC2000-05569 (August 2000) --- Symbolizing the completion of its preflight training in the United States, the Expedition One crew is treated to a celebratory cake from the training team in the Mission Simulation and Training Facility at the Johnson Space Center (JSC). The international crew, from the left, Russian cosmonauts Yuri P. Gidzenko and Sergei K. Krikalev, along with U.S. astronaut William M. Shepherd, departed August 10 for Star City, Russia, where they will continue to train until their scheduled October 30 launch aboard a Russian Soyuz rocket. They will be the first long-duration residents of the station.
The Soyuz TMA-03M spacecraft is lifted on to the launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Monday, Dec. 19, 2011. The rocket is being prepared for launch on December 21 to carry the crew of Expedition 30 to the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
The Soyuz TMA-03M spacecraft is seen at the launch pad after being raised into vertical position on Monday, Dec. 19, 2011 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The launch of the Soyuz spacecraft with Expedition 30 Soyuz Commander Oleg Kononenko of Russia, NASA Flight Engineer Don Pettit and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut and Flight Engineer Andre Kuipers is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2011. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
The Soyuz TMA-03M spacecraft is rolled out by train on its way to the launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, Monday, Dec. 19, 2011. The launch of the Soyuz spacecraft with Expedition 30 Soyuz Commander Oleg Kononenko of Russia, NASA Flight Engineer Don Pettit and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut and Flight Engineer Andre Kuipers is scheduled for 7:16 p.m. local time on Wednesday, December 21. Photo Credit (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
The Soyuz TMA-03M spacecraft is rolled out by train on its way to the launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, Monday, Dec. 19, 2011. The launch of the Soyuz spacecraft with Expedition 30 Soyuz Commander Oleg Kononenko of Russia, NASA Flight Engineer Don Pettit and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut and Flight Engineer Andre Kuipers is scheduled for 7:16 p.m. local time on Wednesday, December 21. Photo Credit (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
The flags representing Kazakhstan and the nations of the three crewmembers who will launch in the Soyuz TMA-03M spacecraft are shown at the launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Monday, Dec. 19, 2011. From left to right are the flags of The Netherlands, Russia, the United States and Kazakhstan. Scheduled to launch on December 21st local time are Expedition 30 Soyuz Commander Oleg Kononenko of Russia, NASA Flight Engineer Don Pettit and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut and Flight Engineer Andre Kuipers. Photo Credit (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
The Soyuz TMA-03M spacecraft is seen at the launch pad after being raised into vertical position on Monday, Dec. 19, 2011 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The launch of the Soyuz spacecraft with Expedition 30 Soyuz Commander Oleg Kononenko of Russia, NASA Flight Engineer Don Pettit and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut and Flight Engineer Andre Kuipers is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2011. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
The Soyuz TMA-03M spacecraft is rolled out by train on its way to the launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, Monday, Dec. 19, 2011. The launch of the Soyuz spacecraft with Expedition 30 Soyuz Commander Oleg Kononenko of Russia, NASA Flight Engineer Don Pettit and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut and Flight Engineer Andre Kuipers is scheduled for 7:16 p.m. local time on Wednesday, December 21. Photo Credit (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
The Soyuz TMA-03M spacecraft is lifted on to the launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Monday, Dec. 19, 2011. The rocket is being prepared for launch on December 21 to carry the crew of Expedition 30 to the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
The Soyuz TMA-03M spacecraft is seen shortly after arriving at the launch pad Monday, Dec. 19, 2011 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
A locomotive backs into Building 112 as it prepares to hitch up with the railcar that will transport the Soyuz TMA-03M to the launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Monday, Dec. 19, 2011. The launch of the Soyuz spacecraft with Expedition 30 Soyuz Commander Oleg Kononenko of Russia, NASA Flight Engineer Don Pettit and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut and Flight Engineer Andre Kuipers is scheduled for 7:16 p.m. local time on Wednesday, December 21. Photo Credit (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
Launch pad engineers at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan are dwarfed by the large gantry mechanisms at the base of the Soyuz TMA-03M rocket following its rollout to the pad on Monday, Dec. 19, 2011. The rocket is being prepared for launch on December 21 to carry the crew of Expedition 30 to the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
The Soyuz TMA-03M spacecraft is rolled out by train on its way to the launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, Monday, Dec. 19, 2011. The launch of the Soyuz spacecraft with Expedition 30 Soyuz Commander Oleg Kononenko of Russia, NASA Flight Engineer Don Pettit and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut and Flight Engineer Andre Kuipers is scheduled for 7:16 p.m. local time on Wednesday, December 21. Photo Credit (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
The Soyuz TMA-03M spacecraft is lifted on to the launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Monday, Dec. 19, 2011. The rocket is being prepared for launch on December 21 to carry the crew of Expedition 30 to the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
The Soyuz TMA-03M spacecraft is seen at the launch pad after being raised into vertical position on Monday, Dec. 19, 2011 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The launch of the Soyuz spacecraft with Expedition 30 Soyuz Commander Oleg Kononenko of Russia, NASA Flight Engineer Don Pettit and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut and Flight Engineer Andre Kuipers is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2011. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
The Soyuz rocket is seen as it approaches the Soyuz launch pad on Monday, Dec. 21, 2011 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The launch of the Soyuz spacecraft will carry Expedition 30 Soyuz Commander Soyuz Commander Oleg Kononenko of Russia, NASA Flight Engineer Don Pettit and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut and Flight Engineer Andre Kuipers to the International Space Station. Photo Credit (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
The Soyuz rocket is seen as it approaches the Soyuz launch pad on Monday, Dec. 21, 2011 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The launch of the Soyuz spacecraft will carry Expedition 30 Soyuz Commander Soyuz Commander Oleg Kononenko of Russia, NASA Flight Engineer Don Pettit and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut and Flight Engineer Andre Kuipers to the International Space Station. Photo Credit (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
The Soyuz TMA-03M spacecraft is seen shortly after arriving at the launch pad Monday, Dec. 19, 2011 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
The Soyuz TMA-03M spacecraft is rolled out by train on its way to the launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, Monday, Dec. 19, 2011. The launch of the Soyuz spacecraft with Expedition 30 Soyuz Commander Oleg Kononenko of Russia, NASA Flight Engineer Don Pettit and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut and Flight Engineer Andre Kuipers is scheduled for 7:16 p.m. local time on Wednesday, December 21. Photo Credit (NASA/Carla Cioffi)