The Soyuz TMA-04M rocket launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 carrying Expedition 31 Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka, NASA Flight Engineer Joseph Acaba and Flight Engineer Sergei Revin to the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
The Soyuz TMA-04M rocket launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 carrying Expedition 31 Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka, NASA Flight Engineer Joseph Acaba and Flight Engineer Sergei Revin to the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
The Soyuz TMA-04M rocket boosters are seen being jettisoned during the launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Tuesday, May 15, 2012. Expedition 31 Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka, NASA Flight Engineer Joseph Acaba and Flight Engineer Sergei Revin were launched to the International Space Station at 9:01am Kazakhstan time. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
The Soyuz TMA-04M rocket launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 carrying Expedition 31 Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka, NASA Flight Engineer Joseph Acaba and Flight Engineer Sergei Revin to the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
The Soyuz TMA-04M rocket launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 carrying Expedition 31 Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka, NASA Flight Engineer Joseph Acaba and Flight Engineer Sergei Revin to the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
The Soyuz TMA-04M rocket launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 carrying Expedition 31 Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka, NASA Flight Engineer Joseph Acaba and Flight Engineer Sergei Revin to the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
The Soyuz TMA-04M rocket launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 carrying Expedition 31 Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka, NASA Flight Engineer Joseph Acaba and Flight Engineer Sergei Revin to the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
The Soyuz TMA-04M rocket launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 carrying Expedition 31 Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka, NASA Flight Engineer Joseph Acaba and Flight Engineer Sergei Revin to the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
Members of the media photograph the Soyuz TMA-04M rocket launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Tuesday, May 15, 2012. Heading to the International Space Station onboard the soyuz are Expedition 31 Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka, NASA Flight Engineer Joseph Acaba and Flight Engineer Sergei Revin. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
The Soyuz rocket is seen in the monitor of a video camera moments before Expedition 31 Soyuz Commander Gennady Pedalka, NASA Flight Engineer Joseph Acaba and Flight Engineer Sergei Revin arrive to board the rocket at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Tuesday, May 15, 2012. The launch of the Soyuz spacecraft with Padalka, Revin, and Acaba is scheduled for 9:01 a.m. local time on Tuesday, May 15. Photo Credit (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
The sun rises a little more than two and half hours before the Soyuz spacecraft with Expedition 31 Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka, Flight Engineer Sergei Revin, and NASA Flight Engineer Joe Acaba aboard launched to the International Space station on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Photo Credit (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
Expedition 31 Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka, bottom, NASA Flight Engineer Joseph Acaba and Flight Engineer Sergei Revin, top, wave farewell from the base of the Soyuz rocket at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Tuesday, May 15, 2012. The launch of the Soyuz spacecraft with Padalka, Revin, and Acaba is scheduled for 9:01 a.m. local time on Tuesday, May 15. Photo Credit (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
Expedition 31 Flight Engineer Joe Acaba waves farewell to friends and family as his bus departs the Cosmonaut Hotel with fellow Expedition 31 crew members, Commander Gennady Padalka and Sergei Revin on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. The Soyuz spacecraft with Expedition 31 Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka, Flight Engineer Sergei Revin, and Acaba onboard launched at 9:01 a.m. Kazakhstan time on Tuesday, May 15. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)
Expedition 31 Flight Engineer Sergei Revin of Russia adjust his watch shirtly after donning his Russian Sokol suit in preparation for his launch onboard the Soyuz TMA-04M on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The Soyuz spacecraft with Revin, Expedition 31 Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka, and Flight Engineer Joe Acaba onboard, launched at 9:01 a.m. Kazakhstan time on Tuesday, May 15. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)
Expedition 31 Flight Engineer Joe Acaba waits to have his Russian Sokol suit pressure checked in preparation for his launch onboard the Soyuz TMA-04M on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The Soyuz spacecraft with Acaba, Expedition 31 Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka, and Flight Engineer Sergei Revin onboard, launched at 9:01 a.m. Kazakhstan time on Tuesday, May 15. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)
Expedition 31 Flight Engineer Sergei Revin of Russia dons his Russian Sokol suit in preparation for his launch onboard the Soyuz TMA-04M on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The Soyuz spacecraft with Revin, Expedition 31 Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka, and Flight Engineer Joe Acaba onboard, launched at 9:01 a.m. Kazakhstan time on Tuesday, May 15. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)
Expedition 31 Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka smiles after having his Russian Sokol suit pressure checked in preparation for his launch onboard the Soyuz TMA-04M on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The Soyuz spacecraft with Padalka, Flight Engineer Sergei Revin, and Expedition 31 Flight Engineer Joe Acaba onboard, launched at 9:01 a.m. Kazakhstan time on Tuesday, May 15. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)
Expedition 31 Flight Engineer Sergei Revin of Russia dons his Russian Sokol suit in preparation for his launch onboard the Soyuz TMA-04M on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The Soyuz spacecraft with Revin, Expedition 31 Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka, and Flight Engineer Joe Acaba onboard, launched at 9:01 a.m. Kazakhstan time on Tuesday, May 15. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)
Expedition 31 Flight Engineer Joe Acaba dons his Russian Sokol suit in preparation for his launch onboard the Soyuz TMA-04M on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The Soyuz spacecraft with Acaba, Expedition 31 Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka, and Flight Engineer Sergei Revin onboard, launched at 9:01 a.m. Kazakhstan time on Tuesday, May 15. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)
Expedition 31 Flight Engineer Joe Acaba dons his Russian Sokol suit in preparation for his launch onboard the Soyuz TMA-04M on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The Soyuz spacecraft with Acaba, Expedition 31 Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka, and Flight Engineer Sergei Revin onboard, launched at 9:01 a.m. Kazakhstan time on Tuesday, May 15. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)
Expedition 31 Flight Engineer Joe Acaba waves to family and friends as he waits to have his Russian Sokol suit pressure checked prior to his launch onboard the Soyuz TMA-04M on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The Soyuz spacecraft with Acaba, Expedition 31 Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka, and Flight Engineer Sergei Revin onboard, launched at 9:01 a.m. Kazakhstan time on Tuesday, May 15. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)
Expedition 31 crew members Joe Acaba, left, Commander Gennady Padalka and Sergei Revin, right, receive the traditional blessing by an Orthodox priest at the Cosmonaut Hotel on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. The Soyuz spacecraft with Expedition 31 Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka, Flight Engineer Sergei Revin, and NASA Flight Engineer Joe Acaba aboard launched at 9:01 a.m. Kazakhstan time on Tuesday, May 15. Photo Credit (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
Expedition 31 Flight Engineer Sergei Revin performs the tradition of signing one of the doors at the Cosmonaut Hotel on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. The Soyuz spacecraft with Revin, Expedition 31 Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka, and NASA Flight Engineer Joe Acaba aboard launched at 9:01 a.m. Kazakhstan time on Tuesday, May 15. Photo Credit (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
Expedition 31 crew members Joe Acaba, left, Commander Gennady Padalka and Sergei Revin, right, receive the traditional blessing by an Orthodox priest at the Cosmonaut Hotel on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. The Soyuz spacecraft with Expedition 31 Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka, Flight Engineer Sergei Revin, and NASA Flight Engineer Joe Acaba aboard launched at 9:01 a.m. Kazakhstan time on Tuesday, May 15. Photo Credit (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
Expedition 31 crew members Joe Acaba, left, Commander Gennady Padalka and Sergei Revin, right, wave farewell as they depart the Cosmonaut Hotel on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. The Soyuz spacecraft with Expedition 31 Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka, Flight Engineer Sergei Revin, and NASA Flight Engineer Joe Acaba aboard launched at 9:01 a.m. Kazakhstan time on Tuesday, May 15. Photo Credit (NASA/Victor Zelenstov)
Expedition 31 Flight Engineer Joe Acaba performs the tradition of signing one of the doors at the Cosmonaut Hotel on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. The Soyuz spacecraft with Acaba, Expedition 31 Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka, and Flight Engineer Sergei Revin of Russia aboard launched at 9:01 a.m. Kazakhstan time on Tuesday, May 15. Photo Credit (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
Expedition 31 Flight Engineer Joe Acaba, left, Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka, and Flight Engineer Sergei Revin, right, don their Russian Sokol suits ahead of their launch onboard the Soyuz TMA-04M on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The Soyuz spacecraft with Padalka, Revin, and Acaba onboard, launched at 9:01 a.m. Kazakhstan time on Tuesday, May 15. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)
Expedition 31 Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka, left, Flight Engineer Sergei Revin, and Flight Engineer Joe Acaba, right, talk with family members after having their Russian Sokol suits pressure checked in preparation for their launch onboard the Soyuz TMA-04M on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The Soyuz spacecraft with Padalka, Revin, and Acaba onboard, launched at 9:01 a.m. Kazakhstan time on Tuesday, May 15. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)
Flight Engineer Sergei Revin has his Russian Sokol suit pressure checked in preparation for his launch onboard the Soyuz TMA-04M on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The Soyuz spacecraft with Revin, Expedition 31 Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka and Flight Engineer Joe Acaba onboard, launched at 9:01 a.m. Kazakhstan time on Tuesday, May 15. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)
Expedition 31 Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka lies in a chair to have his Russian Sokol suit pressure checked in preparation for his launch onboard the Soyuz TMA-04M on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The Soyuz spacecraft with Padalka, Flight Engineer Sergei Revin and Flight Engineer Joe Acaba onboard, launched at 9:01 a.m. Kazakhstan time on Tuesday, May 15. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)
Flight Engineer Joe Acaba has his Russian Sokol suit pressure checked in preparation for his launch onboard the Soyuz TMA-04M on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The Soyuz spacecraft with Acaba, Expedition 31 Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka, and Flight Engineer Sergei Revin onboard, launched at 9:01 a.m. Kazakhstan time on Tuesday, May 15. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)
Flight Engineer Sergei Revin sits down to have his Russian Sokol suit pressure checked in preparation for his launch onboard the Soyuz TMA-04M on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The Soyuz spacecraft with Revin, Expedition 31 Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka and Flight Engineer Joe Acaba onboard, launched at 9:01 a.m. Kazakhstan time on Tuesday, May 15. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)
Flight Engineer Joe Acaba has his Russian Sokol suit pressure checked in preparation for his launch onboard the Soyuz TMA-04M on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The Soyuz spacecraft with Acaba, Expedition 31 Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka, and Flight Engineer Sergei Revin onboard, launched at 9:01 a.m. Kazakhstan time on Tuesday, May 15. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)
Flight Engineer Sergei Revin sits down to have his Russian Sokol suit pressure checked in preparation for his launch onboard the Soyuz TMA-04M on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The Soyuz spacecraft with Revin, Expedition 31 Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka and Flight Engineer Joe Acaba onboard, launched at 9:01 a.m. Kazakhstan time on Tuesday, May 15. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)
Expedition 31 Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka, left, and Flight Engineer Sergei Revin talk as technicians assist with donning the Russian Sokol suits ahead of their launch onboard the Soyuz TMA-04M on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The Soyuz spacecraft with Padalka, Revin, and Flight Engineer Joe Acaba onboard, launched at 9:01 a.m. Kazakhstan time on Tuesday, May 15. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)
Expedition 31 Flight Engineer Joe Acaba, left, Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka, and Flight Engineer Sergei Revin, right, don their Russian Sokol suits ahead of their launch onboard the Soyuz TMA-04M on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The Soyuz spacecraft with Padalka, Revin, and Acaba onboard, launched at 9:01 a.m. Kazakhstan time on Tuesday, May 15. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)
Expedition 31 Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka has his Russian Sokol suit pressure checked in preparation for his launch onboard the Soyuz TMA-04M on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The Soyuz spacecraft with Padalka, Flight Engineer Sergei Revin and Flight Engineer Joe Acaba onboard, launched at 9:01 a.m. Kazakhstan time on Tuesday, May 15. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)
Flight Engineer Joe Acaba has his Russian Sokol suit pressure checked in preparation for his launch onboard the Soyuz TMA-04M on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The Soyuz spacecraft with Acaba, Expedition 31 Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka, and Flight Engineer Sergei Revin onboard, launched at 9:01 a.m. Kazakhstan time on Tuesday, May 15. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)
Expedition 31 Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka continues the traditional of signing one of the doors at the Cosmonaut Hotel on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. The Soyuz spacecraft with Padalka, Flight Engineer Sergei Revin of Russia, and NASA Flight Engineer Joe Acaba aboard launched at 9:01 a.m. Kazakhstan time on Tuesday, May 15. Photo Credit (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
Expedition 31 Flight Engineer Joe Acaba, left, Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka, and, Flight Engineer Sergei Revin, right, receive a formal go for launch from Vitaly Alexandrovich Lopota, President of Energia, left, and Vladimir Popovkin, Director of Roscosmos prior to their launch onboard the Soyuz TMA-04M on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The Soyuz spacecraft with Padalka, Revin, and Acaba onboard, launched at 9:01 a.m. Kazakhstan time on Tuesday, May 15. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)
Expedition 31 Flight Engineer Joe Acaba, seated left, Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka, and, Flight Engineer Sergei Revin, seated right, pose for a picture with their backup crew members Kevin Ford, standing left, Oleg Novitskiy and Evgeny Tarelkin, standing right, just a few hours before their launch onboard the Soyuz TMA-04M on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The Soyuz spacecraft with Padalka, Revin, and Acaba onboard, launched at 9:01 a.m. Kazakhstan time on Tuesday, May 15. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)
The Soyuz TMA-04M spacecraft is seen in silhouette after being rolled out by train to the launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Sunday, May 13, 2012. The launch of the Soyuz spacecraft with Expedition 31 Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka and Flight Engineer Sergei Revin of Russia, and prime NASA Flight Engineer Joe Acaba is scheduled for 9:01 a.m. local time on Tuesday, May 15. Photo Credit (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
The Soyuz TMA-04M spacecraft is seen after being rolled out by train to the launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Sunday, May 13, 2012. The launch of the Soyuz spacecraft with Expedition 31 Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka and Flight Engineer Sergei Revin of Russia, and prime NASA Flight Engineer Joe Acaba is scheduled for 9:01 a.m. local time on Tuesday, May 15. Photo Credit (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
An Orthodox priest talks to members of the press just after having blessed the Soyuz rocket at the Baikonur Cosmodrome Launch pad on Monday, May 14, 2012 in Kazakhstan. The launch of the Soyuz spacecraft with Expedition 31 Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka and Flight Engineer Sergei Revin of Russia, and prime NASA Flight Engineer Joe Acaba is scheduled for 9:01 a.m. local time on Tuesday, May 15. Photo Credit (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
The Soyuz TMA-04M spacecraft is seen after being rolled out by train to the launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Sunday, May 13, 2012. The launch of the Soyuz spacecraft with Expedition 31 Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka and Flight Engineer Sergei Revin of Russia, and prime NASA Flight Engineer Joe Acaba is scheduled for 9:01 a.m. local time on Tuesday, May 15. Photo Credit (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
The Soyuz TMA-04M spacecraft is raised into position at launch pad ne, Sunday, May 13, 2012. at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The launch of the Soyuz spacecraft with Expedition 31 Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka and Flight Engineer Sergei Revin of Russia, and prime NASA Flight Engineer Joe Acaba is scheduled for 9:01 a.m. local time on Tuesday, May 15. Photo Credit (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
An Orthodox priest blesses members of the media shortly after blessing the Soyuz rocket at the Baikonur Cosmodrome Launch pad on Monday, May 14, 2012 in Kazakhstan. The launch of the Soyuz spacecraft with Expedition 31 Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka and Flight Engineer Sergei Revin of Russia, and prime NASA Flight Engineer Joe Acaba is scheduled for 9:01 a.m. local time on Tuesday, May 15. Photo Credit (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
An Orthodox priest blesses members of the media shortly after blessing the Soyuz rocket at the Baikonur Cosmodrome Launch pad on Monday, May 14, 2012 in Kazakhstan. The launch of the Soyuz spacecraft with Expedition 31 Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka and Flight Engineer Sergei Revin of Russia, and prime NASA Flight Engineer Joe Acaba is scheduled for 9:01 a.m. local time on Tuesday, May 15. Photo Credit (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
An Orthodox priest blesses the Soyuz rocket at the Baikonur Cosmodrome Launch pad on Monday, May 14, 2012 in Kazakhstan. The launch of the Soyuz spacecraft with Expedition 31 Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka and Flight Engineer Sergei Revin of Russia, and prime NASA Flight Engineer Joe Acaba is scheduled for 9:01 a.m. local time on Tuesday, May 15. Photo Credit (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
(26 April 2012) -- At the headquarters of the Russian Federal Space Agency, Expedition 31 prime and backup crewmembers pose for a photo with Roscosmos officials. From left: Expedition 31 prime crew of NASA flight engineer Joe Acaba, Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka and flight engineer Sergei Revin. At center: Vladimir Popovkin, Head of Roscosmos; Alex Krasnov Director, Piloted Programs, Russian Federal Space Agency; and Expedition 31 backup crewmembers - cosmonauts Oleg Novitskiy and Evgeny Tarelkin, and Kevin Ford of NASA. Padalka, Revin and Acaba are scheduled to launch to the International Space Station May 15 in their Soyuz TMA-04M spacecraft. Photo credit:NASA
JSC2011-E-215048 (15 Aug. 2011) --- Attired in Russian Sokol launch and entry suits, Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko (center), Expedition 30 flight engineer and Expedition 31 commander; along with NASA astronaut Don Pettit (left) and European Space Agency astronaut Andre Kuipers, both Expedition 30/31 flight engineers, take a break from training in Star City, Russia to pose for a portrait. Photo credit: Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center
JSC2012-E-042059 (23 Aug. 2011) --- Attired in Russian Sokol launch and entry suits, Russian cosmonaut Gennady Padalka (center), Expedition 31 flight engineer and Expedition 32 commander; along with NASA astronaut Joe Acaba (left) and Russian cosmonaut Sergei Revin, both Expedition 31/32 flight engineers, take a break from training in Star City, Russia to pose for a portrait. Photo credit: Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center
View from the balcony of the Russian Mission Control Center shows the Expedition 31 crew portrait along with a timeline of Soyuz TMA-04M docking events on Thursday, May 17, 2012, in Korolev, Russia. The Soyuz docked to the International Space Station at 8:36 a.m. Moscow time with Expedition 31 Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka, Flight Engineer Sergei Revin, and NASA Flight Engineer Joe Acaba two days after they launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Photo Credit (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
The family of Expedition 31 Flight Engineer Joe Acaba sings happy birthday to him from the Russian Mission Control Center in Korolev, Russia, Thursday, May 17, 2012. Acaba, Expedition 31 Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka, and Flight Engineer Sergei Revin, docked their Soyuz TMA-04M spacecraft to the space station at 8:36 a.m. Moscow time, two days after they launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
JSC2012-E-042061 (23 March 2012) --- Russian cosmonaut Gennady Padalka, Expedition 31 flight engineer and Expedition 32 commander, attired in a Russian Sokol launch and entry suit, takes a break from training in Star City, Russia to pose for a portrait. Photo credit: Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center
JSC2011-E-215059 (15 Aug. 2011) --- Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko, Expedition 30 flight engineer and Expedition 31 commander, attired in a Russian Sokol launch and entry suit, takes a break from training in Star City, Russia to pose for a portrait. Photo credit: Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center
Expedition 31 NASA Flight Engineer Joe Acaba, far left, Expedition 31 Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka and Flight Engineer Sergei Revin, third from left, select International Space Station Russian segment event simulation test cards for their final qualification test in preparation for launch, Monday, April 23, 2012 at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia. Padalka, Acaba and Revin are set to launch May 15 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in their Soyuz TMA-04M spacecraft to the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
The Soyuz TMA-18 spacecraft and its booster rocket are hauled to the launch pad through the barren Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan March 31, 2010 for launch April 2 to transport Expedition 23 crewmates Alexander Skvortsov, Mikhail Kornienko and Tracy Caldwell Dyson to the International Space Station.
The Soyuz TMA-18 spacecraft and its booster rocket are hauled to the launch pad through the barren Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan March 31, 2010 for launch April 2 to transport Expedition 23 crewmates Alexander Skvortsov, Mikhail Kornienko and Tracy Caldwell Dyson to the International Space Station.
The Soyuz TMA-18 spacecraft and its booster rocket are hauled to the launch pad through the barren Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan March 31, 2010 for launch April 2 to transport Expedition 23 crewmates Alexander Skvortsov, Mikhail Kornienko and Tracy Caldwell Dyson to the International Space Station.
jsc2017e038908 (03/31/2017) --- At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 51 crewmembers Fyodor Yurchikhin of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, left) and Jack Fischer of NASA (right) report to Russian state commission officials March 31 at the start of the second of two days of final qualification exams. Yurchikhin and Fischer will launch April 20 on the Soyuz MS-04 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a four and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Expedition 51 Photo: Rob Navias/NASA.
NASA Director of Human Space Flight Program in Russia Joel Montalbano talks on the phone to the crew of Expedition 31, who are onboard the International Space Station, from the Russian Mission Control Center, Thursday, May 17, 2012 in Korolev, Russia. Expedition 31 Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka, Flight Engineer Sergei Revin, and NASA Flight Engineer Joe Acaba docked their soyuz TMA-04M spacecraft to the space station at 8:36 a.m. Moscow time two days after they launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
Expedition 31 backup crew members Kevin Ford, Oleg Novitskiy and Evgeny Tarelkin stand at attention before senior officials for their final qualification test in preparation for flight, Monday, April 23, 2012 at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia. Expedition 31 prime crew members commander Gennady Padalka, flight engineers Joe Acaba and Sergei Revin practiced similar scenarios nearby in advance of their final approval for launch to the International Space Station, scheduled for May 15, 2012. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
Quarantined Expedition 31 prime crew members, from left, NASA Flight Engineer Joe Acaba, Russian Soyuz Commander Gennady Padalka, Russian Flight Engineer Sergei Revin, along with Expedition 31 backup few members, Kevin Ford, Oleg Novitskiy and Evgeny Tarelkin pose for a group photo during a prelaunch press conference held at the Cosmonaut Hotel on Monday, May 14, 2012 in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. The launch of the Soyuz spacecraft with Padalka, Revin, and Acaba is scheduled for 9:01 a.m. local time on Tuesday, May 15. Photo Credit (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
Expedition 31 backup crew members Kevin Ford (left), Oleg Novitskiy and Evgeny Tarelkin (right) are interviewed by the press before their final qualification test in preparation for flight, Monday, April 23, 2012 at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia. Expedition 31 prime crew members commander Gennady Padalka, flight engineers Joe Acaba and Sergei Revin practiced similar scenarios nearby in advance of their final approval for launch to the International Space Station, scheduled for May 15, 2012. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
Expedition 31 backup crew members Kevin Ford (left), Oleg Novitskiy and Evgeny Tarelkin (right) are interviewed by the press before their final qualification test in preparation for flight, Monday, April 23, 2012 at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia. Expedition 31 prime crew members commander Gennady Padalka, flight engineers Joe Acaba and Sergei Revin practiced similar scenarios nearby in advance of their final approval for launch to the International Space Station, scheduled for May 15, 2012. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
JSC2012-E-044894 (25 April 2012) --- At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, outside Moscow, Expedition 31 backup crew members -- Russian cosmonauts Evgeny Tarelkin (left), Oleg Novitskiy (center) and NASA astronaut Kevin Ford (right) -- pose before the site's Yuri Gagarin statue April 25, 2012 following their press conference. Expedition 31 prime crew members Joe Acaba of NASA and cosmonauts Gennady Padalka and Sergei Revin (not pictured) ? are scheduled to launch on May 15 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan to the International Space Station. Photo credit: NASA
Expedition 31 backup crew members Kevin Ford, Oleg Novitskiy and Evgeny Tarelkin salute senior officials before their final qualification test in preparation for flight, Monday, April 23, 2012 at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia. Expedition 31 prime crew members commander Gennady Padalka, flight engineers Joe Acaba and Sergei Revin practiced similar scenarios nearby in advance of their final approval for launch to the International Space Station, scheduled for May 15, 2012. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
Expedition 31 NASA backup crew member Kevin Ford signs for his Soyuz vehicle simulation test card before senior officials at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center, Monday, April 23, 2012 in Star City, Russia, while his fellow crew members Oleg Novitskiy (far left) and Evgeny Tarelkin look on. Expedition 31 prime crew members commander Gennady Padalka, flight engineers Joe Acaba and Sergei Revin practiced similar scenarios nearby in advance of their final approval for launch to the International Space Station, scheduled for May 15, 2012. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
JSC2012-E-044893 (25 April 2012) --- At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, outside Moscow, Expedition 31 backup crew members Kevin Ford of NASA (left) and Russian cosmonauts Oleg Novitskiy (center) and Evgeny Tarelkin (right) salute the site's Yuri Gagarin statue April 25, 2012 following their press conference. Expedition 31 prime crew members Joe Acaba of NASA and cosmonauts Gennady Padalka and Sergei Revin (not pictured) ? are scheduled to launch on May 15 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan to the International Space Station. Photo credit: NASA
jsc2017e038912 (03/31/2017) --- At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, , Expedition 51 crewmembers Fyodor Yurchikhin of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, left) and Jack Fischer of NASA (right) pose for pictures in front of a Soyuz spacecraft mockup March 31 during the second of two days of final qualification exams. Yurchikhin and Fischer will launch April 20 on the Soyuz MS-04 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a four and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Expedition 51. Photo: Rob Navias/NASA.
jsc2017e038910 (03/31/2017) --- At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 51 crewmembers Fyodor Yurchikhin of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, left) and Jack Fischer of NASA (right) field questions from reporters in front of a Soyuz spacecraft mockup March 31 during the second of two days of final qualification exams. Yurchikhin and Fischer will launch April 20 on the Soyuz MS-04 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a four and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Expedition 51. Photo: Rob Navias/NASA.
(seated), flanked by Expedition 31 prime and backup crewmembers, signs a traditional cosmonauts' log at the site's Yuri Gagarin museum. Front at left is NASA astronaut Joe Acaba, flight engineer, and at front row, right is Russian cosmonaut and flight engineer Sergei Revin. Back row,from left are Expedition 31 backup crewmembers Kevin Ford of NASA and Russian cosmonauts Oleg Novitskiy and Evgeny Tarelkin. Acaba, Padalka and Revin are preparing for the launch May 15 that will take them to the International Space Station on the Soyuz TMA-04M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Photo credit: NASA/Stephanie Stoll
JSC2012-E-044892 (25 April 2012) --- At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, outside Moscow, Expedition 31 backup crew members Kevin Ford of NASA (left) and Russian cosmonauts Oleg Novitskiy (center) and Evgeny Tarelkin (right) carry flowers to the site's Yuri Gagarin statue April 25, 2012 following their press conference. Expedition 31 prime crew members Joe Acaba of NASA and cosmonauts Gennady Padalka and Sergei Revin (not pictured) ? are scheduled to launch on May 15 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan to the International Space Station. Photo credit: NASA
jsc2017e038909 (03/31/2017) --- At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 51 crewmember Fyodor Yurchikhin of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, left) smiles as his crew mate, Jack Fischer of NASA (right) signs in March 31 for the second of two days of of final qualification exams. Yurchikhin and Fischer will launch April 20 on the Soyuz MS-04 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a four and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Expedition 51. Photo: Rob Navias/NASA.
Expedition 31 backup crew members Kevin Ford (left), Oleg Novitskiy and Evgeny Tarelkin (right) give the thumbs up before their final qualification test in preparation for flight, Monday, April 23, 2012 at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia. Expedition 31 prime crew members commander Gennady Padalka, flight engineers Joe Acaba and Sergei Revin practiced similar scenarios nearby in advance of their final approval for launch to the International Space Station, scheduled for May 15, 2012. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
(31 March 2011) --- At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, NASA astronaut Ron Garan (from left), Expedition 27 flight engineer, and Russian cosmonauts Alexander Samokutyaev, 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 to become the first human to fly in space. Photo credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov
(31 March 2011) --- At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, NASA astronaut Ron Garan, Expedition 27 flight engineer, takes a moment from his final Soyuz training session March 31, 2011 as preparations continue for launch April 5 (Kazakhstan time) of Garan and Russian cosmonauts Alexander Samokutyaev, Soyuz commander, and Andrey Borisenko, flight engineer, 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 to become the first human to fly in space. Photo credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov
ISS031-E-070969 (28 May 2012) --- This view of European Space Agency astronaut Andre Kuipers, Expedition 31 flight engineer, is among the first set of imagery from the crew showing the freshly opened SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. Expedition 31 Flight Engineers Kuipers and Don Pettit, NASA astronaut, grappled Dragon at 9:56 a.m. (EDT) on May 25 with the Canadarm2 robotic arm and used the robotic arm to berth Dragon to the Earth-facing side of the station’s Harmony node at 12:02 p.m. May 25, 2012. Dragon became the first commercially developed space vehicle to be launched to the station to join Russian, European and Japanese resupply craft that service the complex while restoring a U.S. capability to deliver cargo to the orbital laboratory. Dragon is scheduled to spend about a week docked with the station before returning to Earth on May 31 for retrieval.
ISS031-E-070968 (28 May 2012) --- This view of European Space Agency astronaut Andre Kuipers, Expedition 31 flight engineer, is among the first set of imagery from the crew showing the freshly opened SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. Expedition 31 Flight Engineers Kuipers and Don Pettit, NASA astronaut, grappled Dragon at 9:56 a.m. (EDT) on May 25 with the Canadarm2 robotic arm and used the robotic arm to berth Dragon to the Earth-facing side of the station’s Harmony node at 12:02 p.m. May 25, 2012. Dragon became the first commercially developed space vehicle to be launched to the station to join Russian, European and Japanese resupply craft that service the complex while restoring a U.S. capability to deliver cargo to the orbital laboratory. Dragon is scheduled to spend about a week docked with the station before returning to Earth on May 31 for retrieval.
(31 March 2011) --- Technicians at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan pore over the Soyuz TMA-21 spacecraft encapsulated in the first stage of the Soyuz booster rocket March 31, 2011 as preparations continue for the launch April 5 (Kazakhstan time) of Expedition 27 crew members -- Ron Garan of NASA, Soyuz commander Alexander Samokutyaev and Andrey Borisenko, both of Russia, to the International Space Station. The first stage of the Soyuz booster is emblazoned with the name “Gagarin” and the likeness of Yuri Gagarin. The launch is dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the launching of Gagarin from Baikonur April 12, 1961 to become the first human to fly in space. Photo credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov
The Soyuz rocket is seen, Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023 at pad 31 of the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Expedition 70 NASA astronaut Loral O'Hara, Roscosmos cosmonauts Oleg Kononenko, and Nikolai Chub are scheduled to launch aboard their Soyuz MS-24 spacecraft on Sept. 15. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
JSC2011-E-215049 (15 Aug. 2011) --- NASA astronaut Don Pettit, Expedition 30/31 flight engineer, attired in a Russian Sokol launch and entry suit, takes a break from training in Star City, Russia to pose for a portrait. Photo credit: Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center
JSC2011-E-215058 (15 Aug. 2011) --- European Space Agency astronaut Andre Kuipers, Expedition 30/31 flight engineer, attired in a Russian Sokol launch and entry suit, takes a break from training in Star City, Russia to pose for a portrait. Photo credit: Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center
The Soyuz rocket is seen, Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023 at pad 31 of the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Expedition 70 NASA astronaut Loral O'Hara, Roscosmos cosmonauts Oleg Kononenko, and Nikolai Chub are scheduled to launch aboard their Soyuz MS-24 spacecraft on Sept. 15. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
The Soyuz rocket is seen, Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023 at pad 31 of the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Expedition 70 NASA astronaut Loral O'Hara, Roscosmos cosmonauts Oleg Kononenko, and Nikolai Chub are scheduled to launch aboard their Soyuz MS-24 spacecraft on Sept. 15. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
ISS031-E-157888 (19 June 2012) --- European Space Agency astronaut Andre Kuipers, Expedition 31 flight engineer, poses for a photo with his Russian Sokol launch and entry suit as he prepares for his departure from the International Space Station on July 1, 2012.
JSC2012-E-042062 (23 Aug. 2011) --- Russian cosmonaut Sergei Revin, Expedition 31/32 flight engineer, attired in a Russian Sokol launch and entry suit, takes a break from training in Star City, Russia to pose for a portrait. Photo credit: Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center
JSC2012-E-042057 (10 April 2012) --- NASA astronaut Kevin Ford, Expedition 31 backup crew member, attired in a Russian Sokol launch and entry suit, takes a break from training in Star City, Russia to pose for a portrait. Photo credit: Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center
The Soyuz rocket is seen, Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023 at pad 31 of the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Expedition 70 NASA astronaut Loral O'Hara, Roscosmos cosmonauts Oleg Kononenko, and Nikolai Chub are scheduled to launch aboard their Soyuz MS-24 spacecraft on Sept. 15. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
JSC2012-E-042060 (7 March 2012) --- Russian cosmonaut Oleg Novitskiy, Expedition 31 backup crew member, attired in a Russian Sokol launch and entry suit, takes a break from training in Star City, Russia to pose for a portrait. Photo credit: Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center
JSC2012-E-042058 (23 Aug. 2011) --- NASA astronaut Joe Acaba, Expedition 31/32 flight engineer, attired in a Russian Sokol launch and entry suit, takes a break from training in Star City, Russia to pose for a portrait. Photo credit: Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center
JSC2012-E-042063 (5 March 2012) --- Russian cosmonaut Evgeny Tarelkin, Expedition 31 backup crew member, attired in a Russian Sokol launch and entry suit, takes a break from training in Star City, Russia to pose for a portrait. Photo credit: Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center
At the Kremlin Wall in Moscow, Expedition 30 Flight Engineer Anatoly Ivanishin laid flowers October 24, 2011 in a traditional ceremony during the tour of Red Square he and his crewmates conducted prior to their launch to the International Space Station November 14 on the Soyuz TMA-22 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Ivanishin, Expedition Commander Dan Burbank of NASA and Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov will arrive in Baikonur October 31 for final pre-launch preparations. Credit: NASA
At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 29/30 Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov says goodbye to his daughter October 31, 2011, as he departed for his launch site in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Shkaplerov, Expedition 30 Commander Dan Burbank of NASA and Flight Engineer Anatoly Ivanishin will launch November 14 from Baikonur on their Soyuz TMA-22 spacecraft for the International Space Station. Credit: NASA
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the Press Site auditorium, NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe participates in a media briefing following the launch scrub of Space Shuttle mission STS-111. STS-111 is the second Utilization Flight to the International Space Station, carrying the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module Leonardo, the Mobile Base System (MBS), and a replacement wrist/roll joint for the Canadarm 2. Also on board will be the Expedition Five crew who will replace Expedition Four on the Station. Launch is rescheduled for May 31 at 7:22 p.m. EDT
At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 29/30 Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov says goodbye to his daughter October 31, 2011, as he departed for his launch site in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Shkaplerov, Expedition 30 Commander Dan Burbank of NASA and Flight Engineer Anatoly Ivanishin will launch November 14 from Baikonur on their Soyuz TMA-22 spacecraft for the International Space Station. Credit: NASA
JSC2007-E-06461 (31 Jan. 2007) --- Attired in a training version of his shuttle launch and entry suit, astronaut Daniel M. Tani, Expedition 16 flight engineer, awaits the start of a water survival training session in the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) near Johnson Space Center. Tani will join Expedition 16 as flight engineer after launching to the International Space Station aboard Atlantis on mission STS-120 and will return home aboard Discovery on mission STS-122.
At the Kremlin Wall in Moscow, Expedition 30 Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov laid flowers October 24, 2011 in a traditional ceremony during the tour of Red Square he and his crewmates conducted prior to their launch to the International Space Station November 14 on the Soyuz TMA-22 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Shkaplerov, Expedition Commander Dan Burbank of NASA and Anatoly Ivanishin will arrive in Baikonur October 31 for final pre-launch preparations. Credit: NASA