NASA ASTRONAUT JEFF WILLIAMS ADDRESSES THE MARSHALL COMMUNITY ALONG WITH STUDENTS FROM THE U.S. SPACE AND ROCKET CENTER AND DESCRIBES HIS EXPERIENCES WHILE SERVING ABOARD THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE AND ROCKET CENTER DURING EXPEDITIONS 47 AND 48.

The Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft is seen as it lands with Expedition 47 crew members Tim Kopra of NASA, Tim Peake of the European Space Agency, and Yuri Malenchenko of Roscosmos near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan on Saturday, June 18, 2016. Kopra, Peake, and Malenchenko are returning after six months in space where they served as members of the Expedition 46 and 47 crews onboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Expedition 47 astronaut Tim Kopra of NASA, center, arrives at the Karaganda Airport in Kazakhstan a few hours after he, Yuri Malenchenko of Roscosmos, and Tim Peake of the European Space Agency landed in their Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan on Saturday, June 18, 2016. Kopra, Peake, and Malenchenko are returning after six months in space where they served as members of the Expedition 46 and 47 crews onboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Russian support personnel roll the Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft after it landed with Expedition 47 crew members Tim Kopra of NASA, Tim Peake of the European Space Agency, and Yuri Malenchenko of Roscosmos near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan on Saturday, June 18, 2016. Kopra, Peake, and Malenchenko are returning after six months in space where they served as members of the Expedition 46 and 47 crews onboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

The Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft is seen as it lands with Expedition 47 crew members Tim Kopra of NASA, Tim Peake of the European Space Agency, and Yuri Malenchenko of Roscosmos near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan on Saturday, June 18, 2016. Kopra, Peake, and Malenchenko are returning after six months in space where they served as members of the Expedition 46 and 47 crews onboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Russian support personnel work around the Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft after it landed with Expedition 47 crew members Tim Kopra of NASA, Tim Peake of the European Space Agency, and Yuri Malenchenko of Roscosmos near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan on Saturday, June 18, 2016. Kopra, Peake, and Malenchenko are returning after six months in space where they served as members of the Expedition 46 and 47 crews onboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Tim Kopra of NASA talks on a satellite phone outside the Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft just minutes after he and Yuri Malenchenko of Roscosmos and Tim Peake of the European Space Agency landed in a remote area near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan on Saturday, June 18, 2016. Kopra, Peake, and Malenchenko are returning after six months in space where they served as members of the Expedition 46 and 47 crews onboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Tim Peake of the European Space Agency is carried to a medical tent after he and Tim Kopra of NASA and Yuri Malenchenko of Roscosmos landed in their Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft in a remote area near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan on Saturday, June 18, 2016. Kopra, Peake, and Malenchenko are returning after six months in space where they served as members of the Expedition 46 and 47 crews onboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Tim Kopra of NASA is carried to a medical tent after he and Tim Peake of the European Space Agency and Yuri Malenchenko of Roscosmos landed in their Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft in a remote area near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan on Saturday, June 18, 2016. Kopra, Peake, and Malenchenko are returning after six months in space where they served as members of the Expedition 46 and 47 crews onboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Tim Kopra of NASA is helped out of the Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft just minutes after he and Yuri Malenchenko of Roscosmos and Tim Peake of the European Space Agency landed in a remote area near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan on Saturday, June 18, 2016. Kopra, Peake, and Malenchenko are returning after six months in space where they served as members of the Expedition 46 and 47 crews onboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

The Soyuz TMA-20M rocket launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Saturday, March 19, 2016 carrying Expedition 47 Soyuz Commander Alexey Ovchinin of Roscosmos, Flight Engineer Jeff Williams of NASA, and Flight Engineer Oleg Skripochka of Roscosmos into orbit to begin their five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. (Photo Credit: NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

The Soyuz TMA-20M rocket launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Saturday, March 19, 2016 carrying Expedition 47 Soyuz Commander Alexey Ovchinin of Roscosmos, Flight Engineer Jeff Williams of NASA, and Flight Engineer Oleg Skripochka of Roscosmos into orbit to begin their five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. (Photo Credit: NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Tim Peake of the European Space Agency, left, Yuri Malenchenko of Roscosmos center, and Tim Kopra of NASA sit in chairs outside the Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft just minutes after they landed in a remote area near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan on Saturday, June 18, 2016. Kopra, Peake, and Malenchenko are returning after six months in space where they served as members of the Expedition 46 and 47 crews onboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

ISS047e066248 (04/19/2016) --- NASA astronaut and Expedition 47 Flight Engineer Jeff Williams works with the Wet Lab RNA SmartCycler on-board the International Space Station. Wetlab RNA SmartCycler is a research platform for conducting real-time quantitative gene expression analysis aboard the ISS. The system enables spaceflight genomic studies involving a wide variety of biospecimen types in the unique microgravity environment of space.

Expedition 47 Earth observation composite created with iss047e051337 - iss047e051343 135A8768 – 135A8774 Bahamas

Expedition 47 Earth observation composite created with iss047e028742 - iss047e028744 135A2099 – 135A2101 Unique structure in Namibia Mt Brandberg Nature Reserve

ISS047e044913 (04/05/2016) ---Expedition 47 crew members Tim Kopra (left), Jeff Williams (center) Tim Peake (right) are seen eating dinner inside the Unity module aboard the International Space Station.

ISS047e020123 (03/25/2016) --- A golden reflection of the rising sun on the Earths oceans greets the crew of Expedition 47 on board the International Space station. Another day begins for the crew in their pursuit of science that will aid humankind.

ISS047e005148 (03/10/2016) --- This image was taken by members of Expedition 47 on board the International Space Station as studies of the Earth continue using the perfect vantage point presented by the station.

ISS047e005350 (03/10/2016) --- This image of the Earth is one of many that Expedition 47 crew members take on a minute by minute basis as the International Space Station orbits the Earth.

ISS047e016259 (03/24?2016) --- A beam of light shines down on the Earth creating a golden reflection off the water in this image captured by the crew of Expedition 47 on the International Space Station.

iss047e001114 (March 2, 2016) --- An Expedition 47 crewmember photographed the Earth’s limb during a starry night pass. One of the International Space Station’s solar arrays is seen in the right foreground as the orbital complex flew 258 miles above the Indian Ocean in between Indonesia and Australia.

ISS047e025377 (03/28/2016) --- "Islands in the Sky" . Members of the International Space Station Expedition 47 crew took in the beauty of our planet on Mar. 3, 2016 as dusk falls over the oceans. NASA astronaut Jeff Williams took this majestic image.

ISS047e007765 (03/14/2016) --- Using special cameras and Chronophotography aboard the International Space Station, crew members of Expedition 47 during Earth observations capture awesome beauty . This nighttime image shows an approaching lightning storm on the left. The gold and red aurora act as a frame to this display of natures wonders.

ISS047e22133 (03/27/2016) ---The crew of Expedition 47 aboard the International Space Station captured this image of a massive iceberg causing shipping to pay close attention. It is floating in the southern Atlantic Ocean, near the South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands. Smaller pieces cluster around the main iceberg. causing further shipping concern. The closest continent is the bottom tip of South America (Argentina) and the Falkland Islands.

Expedition 47 Earth observation composite created with iss047e053199 - iss047e053204 135A8929-135A8934 PM horizon series right after sunrise

Expedition 47 Earth observation composite created with iss047e078039 - iss047e078041 137B1653-137B1655 Sun glint 1150 mm lens

ISS047e038968 (04/05/2016) --- ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Tim Peake operates the Muscle Atrophy Research and Exercise System (MARES) equipment inside the Columbus module. MARES is an ESA system that will be used for research on musculoskeletal, biomechanical, and neuromuscular human physiology to better understand the effects of microgravity on the muscular system.

ISS047e012492 (03/21/2016) --- NASA astronaut Tim Kopra stows hardware from the OASIS experiment aboard the International Space Station. OASIS, which stands for Observation and Analysis of Smectic Islands In Space, studies the unique behavior of liquid crystals in microgravity.

Expedition 48 crew portrait with 46S crew (Jeff Williams, Oleg Skripochka, Aleksei Ovchinin) and 47S crew (Anatoli Ivanishin, Kate Rubins, Takuya Onishi). Photo Date: June 26, 2015. Location: Building 8, Room 183 - Photo Studio. Photographer: Bill Stafford.

ISS047e028518 (03/26?2016) --- NASA astronaut Tim Kopra, Expedition 47 Commander, and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Tim Peake, Expedition 47 Flight Engineer gather hardware to outfit the area between Orbital ATK’s Cygnus cargo vehicle and the Unity Module.

DATE: 6-18-16 LOCATION: Bldg. 30, WFCR SUBJECT: Expedition 47 flight controllers during undocking of the Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft from the Rassvet module with the Expedition 47 crew (Malenchenko, Kopra, Peake). PHOTOGRAPHER: Lauren Harnett

PHOTO DATE: 3-18-16 LOCATION: Bldg 30 - FCR-1 SUBJECT: Expedition 47 flight control team during launch of Expedition 47-48 Crew (Ovchinin, Skripochka, J. Williams) on the Soyuz TMA-20M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan PHOTOGRAPHER: Lauren Harnett

View during the Soyuz 46S approach to the International Space Station (ISS). Photo was taken during Expedition 47.

Date: 10-23-14 Location: NBL - Pool Topside Subject: Expedition 48/49 (Soyuz 47) crew members NASA astronaut Kate Rubins and JAXA astronaut Takuya Onishi during INC-47/48 ISS EVA Maintence 2 training at the NBL Photographer: James Blair

Date: 10-23-14 Location: NBL - Pool Topside Subject: Expedition 48/49 (Soyuz 47) crew members NASA astronaut Kate Rubins and JAXA astronaut Takuya Onishi during INC-47/48 ISS EVA Maintence 2 training at the NBL Photographer: James Blair

Date: 10-23-14 Location: NBL - Pool Topside Subject: Expedition 48/49 (Soyuz 47) crew members NASA astronaut Kate Rubins and JAXA astronaut Takuya Onishi during INC-47/48 ISS EVA Maintence 2 training at the NBL Photographer: James Blair

Date: 10-23-14 Location: NBL - Pool Topside Subject: Expedition 48/49 (Soyuz 47) crew members NASA astronaut Kate Rubins and JAXA astronaut Takuya Onishi during INC-47/48 ISS EVA Maintence 2 training at the NBL Photographer: James Blair

ISS047e004413 (03/09/2016) --- Expedition 47 Commander NASA astronaut Tim Kopra is seen here working on a Laptop in the Service Module of the International Space Station.

Commander Jeff Williams poses for a photo in the Quest Airlock (A/L) with all of his mission patches. The patches are, from left, STS-101, Soyuz TMA-8, Expedition 13, Soyuz TMA-16, Expedition 21, Expedition 22, Soyuz TMA-20M, Expedition 47, and Expedition 48.

ISS047e021586 03/26/2016) --- Cygnus capture March 26, 2016. Expedition 47 robotic arm operator NASA astronaut Tim Kopra commanded the International Space Station’s Canadarm2 robotic arm to capture the Cygnus spacecraft .

iss047e155876 (March 26, 2016) --- Orbital ATK's Cygnus resupply ship slowly maneuvers its way toward the International Space Station before its robotic capture and installation during Expedition 47 in March of 2016.

ISS009-E-25178 (26 September 2004) --- The Expedition 9 crew aboard the International Space Station recorded this vertical view of Hurricane Jeanne at 17:47:42 GMT, Sept 26, 2004.

ISS047e152971 (03/26/2016) --- Expedition 47 robotic arm operator Tim Kopra of NASA commanded the International Space Station’s Canadarm2 robotic arm to capture the Cygnus spacecraft.

iss047e154247 (6/16/2016) --- View of Commander Tim Kopra exercising on the Cycle Ergometer with Vibration Isolation and Stabilization (CEVIS) in the U.S. Laboratory. Photo was taken during Expedition 47.

ISS047e043884 (04/05/2016) --- Expedition 47 crewmembers on board the International Space Station captured this brightly lit night image of the largest city along Lake Michigan in the US Midwest state of Illinois: Chicago.

ISS047e111084 (05/10/2016) --- NASA astronaut Tim Kopra poses inside the cupola module onboard the International Space Station. Kopra, who was born in Austin, Texas, is the commander of Expedition 47 and previously served as a flight engineer during Expeditions 46 and 20.

JSC2015E032663 (02/06/2015) --- Official crew photograph of Russian Cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin (Roscosmos), Flight Engineer with the International Space Station's Expedition 47. Ovchinin also serves as the backup for Soyuz Commander for the Expedition 43 crew. Credit: (Roscosmos/GCTC)

ISS030-E-241387 (22 April 2012) --- Russian cosmonauts Anton Shkaplerov (left), Oleg Kononenko (right) and Anatoly Ivanishin, all Expedition 30 flight engineers, monitor data at the manual TORU docking system controls in the Zvezda Service Module of the International Space Station during approach and docking operations of the unpiloted ISS Progress 47 resupply vehicle. Progress 47 docked automatically to the Pirs Docking Compartment via the Kurs automated rendezvous system at 10:39 a.m. (EDT) on April 22, 2012.

ISS030-E-241414 (22 April 2012) --- Russian cosmonauts Anton Shkaplerov (right) and Oleg Kononenko, both Expedition 30 flight engineers, monitor data at the manual TORU docking system controls in the Zvezda Service Module of the International Space Station during approach and docking operations of the unpiloted ISS Progress 47 resupply vehicle. Progress 47 docked automatically to the Pirs Docking Compartment via the Kurs automated rendezvous system at 10:39 a.m. (EDT) on April 22, 2012.

ISS030-E-267689 (22 April 2012) --- Russian cosmonauts Anton Shkaplerov (left), Oleg Kononenko (right) and Anatoly Ivanishin, all Expedition 30 flight engineers, monitor data at the manual TORU docking system controls in the Zvezda Service Module of the International Space Station during approach and docking operations of the unpiloted ISS Progress 47 resupply vehicle. Progress 47 docked automatically to the Pirs Docking Compartment via the Kurs automated rendezvous system at 10:39 a.m. (EDT) on April 22, 2012.

ISS030-E-267685 (22 April 2012) --- Russian cosmonauts Oleg Kononenko (foreground) and Anatoly Ivanishin, both Expedition 30 flight engineers, monitor data in the Zvezda Service Module of the International Space Station during approach and docking operations of the unpiloted ISS Progress 47 resupply vehicle. Progress 47 docked automatically to the Pirs Docking Compartment via the Kurs automated rendezvous system at 10:39 a.m. (EDT) on April 22, 2012.

ISS047e021823 (03/26/2016) --- The Orbital ATK Cygnus cargo ship is seen on final approach to the International Space Station. The vehicle was captured at 6:51 a.m. EDT March 26 using the space station's Canadarm2 robotic arm by Expedition 47 Commander Tim Kopra. The unmanned cargo craft was then bolted to the Earth-facing port on the Unity module at 10:52 a.m. Orbital ATK’s fifth cargo delivery flight under its Commercial Resupply Services contract delivered over 7,700 pounds of cargo and included equipment to support some 250 experiments during Expeditions 47 and 48.

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 46-47 crewmember Tim Kopra of NASA signs in for his qualification exam Nov. 20 as his crewmate, Tim Peake of the European Space Agency looks on. Along with Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), Kopra and Peake will launch Dec. 15 on their Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft Dec. 15 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a six-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Seth Marcantel

Behind their Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 46-47 crewmember Tim Kopra of NASA (left), Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) and Tim Peake of the European Space Agency (right) pose for pictures Dec. 9 after a traditional tree-planting ceremony. The trio will launch Dec. 15 on their Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft for a six-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 46-47 crewmembers Tim Peake of the European Space Agency (left), Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) and Tim Kopra of NASA (right) pose for pictures Dec. 10 during a final fit check and inspection of the Soyuz spacecraft which will transport them to orbit. Kopra, Peake and Malenchenko will launch Dec. 15 on the Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft for a six-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

At the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 46-47 crewmember Tim Peake of the European Space Agency took a turn in a spinning chair to test his vestibular system Dec. 9 as part of his pre-launch training. Peake, Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and Tim Kopra of NASA will launch Dec. 15 on their Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft for a six-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 46-47 crewmembers Tim Peake of the European Space Agency (left), Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) and Tim Kopra of NASA (right) report for their qualification exams Nov. 20. The trio will launch Dec. 15 on their Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft Dec. 15 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a six-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Seth Marcantel

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 46-47 prime crewmembers Tim Peake of the European Space Agency (left), Tim Kopra of NASA (center) and Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, right) answer reporters’ questions Nov. 19 at the start of two days of qualification exams. They will launch Dec. 15 in the Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a six-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Seth Marcantel

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 46-47 crewmember Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) responds to a reporter’s question Nov. 20 during final qualification exams. Looking on are crewmates Tim Peake of the European Space Agency (left) and Tim Kopra of NASA (right). The trio will launch Dec. 15 on their Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft Dec. 15 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a six-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Seth Marcantel

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 46-47 crewmember Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) flashes a smile Nov. 30 as he departs for the airport and the flight to his launch site at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Malenchenko, Tim Kopra of NASA and Tim Peake of the European Space Agency will launch Dec. 15 in the Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft for a six-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA / Seth Marcantel

The Expedition 46-47 crewmembers arrive in Baikonur, Kazakhstan Nov. 30 for final pre-launch training following a flight from their training base at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia. Tim Peake of the European Space Agency (left), Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) and Tim Kopra of NASA (right) will launch Dec. 15 on the Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft for a six-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA / Victor Zelentsov

PHOTO DATE: 04-23-15 LOCATION: Bldg. 9NW - ISS Airlock Mockup SUBJECT: Expedition 48/49 (Soyuz 47) crew members Kate Rubins and Takuya Onishi with Soyuz 49 crew member Peggy Whitson during ISS EVA P/P 1 training with instructor Grant Slusser PHOTOGRAPHER: BILL STAFFORD

The Expedition 46-47 crewmembers arrive in Baikonur, Kazakhstan Nov. 30 for final pre-launch training following a flight from their training base at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia. Tim Peake of the European Space Agency (left), Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) and Tim Kopra of NASA (right) will launch Dec. 15 on the Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft for a six-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA / Victor Zelentsov

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 46-47 crewmember Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) reviews procedures inside a Soyuz spacecraft simulator Nov. 20 at the start of final qualification exams. Malenchenko and crewmates Tim Peake of the European Space Agency and Tim Kopra of NASA will launch Dec. 15 on their Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft Dec. 15 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a six-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Seth Marcantel

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 46-47 crewmembers Tim Peake of the European Space Agency (left), Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) and Tim Kopra of NASA (right) pose for pictures at the start of their final qualification exam Nov. 20. The trio will launch Dec. 15 on their Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft Dec. 15 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a six-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Seth Marcantel

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 46-47 crewmember Tim Kopra of NASA flashes a smile Nov. 30 in advance of his departure for his launch site at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Kopra, Tim Peake of the European Space Agency and Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) will launch Dec. 15 in their Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft for a six-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA / Seth Marcantel

In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 46-47 crewmember Tim Kopra of NASA flashes a smile before entering his Soyuz spacecraft Dec. 10 during a final fit check and inspection. Kopra, Tim Peake of the European Space Agency and Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) will launch Dec. 15 on the Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft for a six-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 46-47 crewmembers Tim Peake of the European Space Agency (left), Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) and Tim Kopra of NASA (right) posed for pictures Dec. 10 in front of the first stage of the Soyuz booster rocket during final pre-launch training. Kopra, Peake and Malenchenko will launch Dec. 15 on the Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft for a six-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 46-47 crewmember Tim Peake of the European Space Agency listens to a reporter’s question Nov. 20 during the start of final qualification exams. Peake, Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) and Tim Kopra of NASA (right) will launch Dec. 15 on their Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft Dec. 15 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a six-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Seth Marcantel

At the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 46-47 crewmember Tim Kopra of NASA took a turn on a tilt table to test his vestibular system Dec. 9 as part of his pre-launch training. Kopra, Tim Peake of the European Space Agency and Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency will launch Dec. 15 on their Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft for a six-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

During a break from training, the Expedition 46-47 crewmembers toured the Korolev Museum at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan Dec. 10 and displayed a flag bearing the logo for their Soyuz mission. From left to right are Tim Kopra of NASA, Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and Tim Peake of the European Space Agency. Kopra, Peake and Malenchenko will launch Dec. 15 on the Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft for a six-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

Behind the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 46-47 crewmember Tim Peake of the European Space Agency (center) plants a tree at a site bearing his name Dec. 9 in a traditional pre-launch ceremony. Looking on are his crewmates, Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, left, and Tim Kopra of NASA (right). The trio will launch Dec. 15 on their Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft for a six-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 46-47 prime crewmembers Tim Peake of the European Space Agency (left), Tim Kopra of NASA (center) and Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, right) pose for pictures Nov. 19 at the start of two days of qualification exams. They will launch Dec. 15 in the Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a six-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Seth Marcantel

The Expedition 46-47 crewmembers arrive in Baikonur, Kazakhstan Nov. 30 for final pre-launch training following a flight from their training base at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia and are greeted by school children. Tim Peake of the European Space Agency (left), Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) and Tim Kopra of NASA (right), will launch Dec. 15 on the Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft for a six-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA / Victor Zelentsov

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 46-47 crewmember Tim Peake of the European Space Agency signs in for his qualification exam Nov. 20. Along with Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and Tim Kopra of NASA, Peake will launch Dec. 15 on the Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft Dec. 15 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a six-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Seth Marcantel

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 46-47 prime crewmembers Tim Peake of the European Space Agency (left), Tim Kopra of NASA (center) and Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, right) answer reporters’ questions Nov. 19 at the start of two days of qualification exams. They will launch Dec. 15 in the Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a six-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Seth Marcantel

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 46-47 crewmember Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) signs in for his qualification exam Nov. 20 as his crewmate, Tim Peake of the European Space Agency looks on. Along with Tim Kopra of NASA, Malenchenko and Peake will launch Dec. 15 on their Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft Dec. 15 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a six-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Seth Marcantel

PHOTO DATE: 04-23-15 LOCATION: Bldg. 9NW - ISS Airlock Mockup SUBJECT: Expedition 48/49 (Soyuz 47) crew members Kate Rubins and Takuya Onishi with Soyuz 49 crew member Peggy Whitson during ISS EVA P/P 1 training with instructor Grant Slusser PHOTOGRAPHER: BILL STAFFORD

In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 46-47 crewmember Tim Peake of the European Space Agency flashes a smile before entering his Soyuz spacecraft Dec. 10 during a final fit check and inspection. Peake, Tim Kopra of NASA and Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) will launch Dec. 15 on the Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft for a six-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

Behind the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 46-47 crewmember Tim Kopra of NASA (left) plants a tree at a site bearing his name Dec. 9 in a traditional pre-launch ceremony. Looking on are his crewmates, Tim Peake of the European Space Agency (center) and Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, right). The trio will launch Dec. 15 on their Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft for a six-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

The Expedition 46-47 crewmembers arrive in Baikonur, Kazakhstan Nov. 30 for final pre-launch training following a flight from their training base at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia. On the right of the frame are Tim Peake of the European Space Agency (left), Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) and Tim Kopra of NASA (right), who will launch Dec. 15 on the Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft for a six-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA / Victor Zelentsov

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 46-47 crewmember Tim Peake of the European Space Agency prepares to depart for his launch site at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan Nov. 30 as backup crewmember Takuya Onishi of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) looks on. Peake, Tim Kopra of NASA and Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) will launch Dec. 15 in the Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft for a six-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA / Seth Marcantel

En route from the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia to their launch site at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 46-47 crewmembers Tim Kopra of NASA (left), Tim Peake of the European Space Agency (center) and Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, right) pose for pictures Nov. 30 on their plane. Kopra, Peake and Malenchenko will launch Dec. 15 on the Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft for a six-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA / Victor Zelentsov

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 46-47 crewmember Tim Kopra of NASA (right) answers a reporter’s question Nov. 30 before departing for his launch site at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Looking on is crewmate Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, left), who along with Kopra and Tim Peake of the European Space Agency, will launch Dec. 15 in the Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft for a six-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA / Seth Marcantel

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 46-47 crewmembers Tim Peake of the European Space Agency (left), Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) and Tim Kopra of NASA (right) listen to reporters’ questions at the start of their final qualification exam Nov. 20. The trio will launch Dec. 15 on their Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft Dec. 15 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a six-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Seth Marcantel

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 46-47 prime crewmember Tim Kopra of NASA signs in for the start of two days of qualification exams Nov. 19. Kopra, Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and Tim Peake of the European Space Agency will launch Dec. 15 in the Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a six-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Seth Marcantel

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 46-47 crewmember Tim Kopra of NASA reviews procedures inside a Soyuz spacecraft simulator Nov. 20 at the start of final qualification exams. Kopra and crewmates Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and Tim Peake of the European Space Agency will launch Dec. 15 on their Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft Dec. 15 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a six-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Seth Marcantel

PHOTO DATE: 04-23-15 LOCATION: Bldg. 9NW - ISS Airlock Mockup SUBJECT: Expedition 48/49 (Soyuz 47) crew members Kate Rubins and Takuya Onishi with Soyuz 49 crew member Peggy Whitson during ISS EVA P/P 1 training with instructor Grant Slusser PHOTOGRAPHER: BILL STAFFORD

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 46-47 prime crewmembers Tim Kopra of NASA (left) and Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, right) answer reporters’ questions Nov. 19 at the start of two days of qualification exams. Along with Tim Peake of the European Space Agency, they will launch Dec. 15 in the Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a six-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Seth Marcantel

ISS047e021368 (03/27/2016) --- As morning comes the crew of the International Space Station are surrounded by the beauty of our blue planet while they pursue the science experiments that will will aid humankind.

ISS047e022280 (03/26/2016) --- This interesting Earth observation image from the International Space Station seems an abstract painting but is really the outskirts of the Namib Desert in southwest Africa. One of the oldest and largest deserts in the world, the Namib stretches inland from the Atlantic Ocean, covering large swathes of Namibia and parts of Angola and South Africa. This arid hotspot surprisingly supports a diverse number of plants and animals, some of which are found nowhere else in the world.

ISS047e022293 (03/26/2016) --- This Earth Observation image from the International Space Station is of a large extinct volcano in the lower southwest African Brukkaros Mountain in the country of Namibia.

ISS047e023224 (03/26/2016) ---The view of the Earth from the vantage point offered from the International Space Station is constantly changing as the station orbits around at 17,500 miles an hour. This image is of the Argentinian coastline. The Valdes Peninsula is the piece of land jutting out near the middle of the picture.

ISS047e000320 (02/17/2016) --- Aurora flashing over the Earth as the International Space Station orbits around the planet. NASA astronaut Tim Kopra sent this mesmerizing image out with the comment " "Stunning #aurora tonight- felt like we were enveloped in green light when we passed through this band @Space_Station". "

ISS047e010211 (03/17/2016) --- NASA astronaut Tim Kopra sent this interesting image out via Twitter with the comment " Lake in #Brazil - looks like something from #MiddleEarth. @Space_Station #TheShire #Explore".

ISS047e001308 (03/02/2016) --- Europe meets Africa in this Earth Observation image captured by NASA astronaut Tim Peake. He tweeted this message out with the photo " Strait of Gibraltar - 9 miles separating #Europe and #Africa . @Space_Station #Explore ".

ISS47e141893 (06/02/2016) --- This Earth observation image of the southern Mediterranean area was taken by the crew of Expedition 47 aboard the International Space Station. The image looks from the coastline of Greece (bottom left) across the Ionian sea to the bottom "heel" of Italy. The tip of the toe reaches toward Sicily.

DATE: 5-16-14. LOCATION: Bldg. 16N, Room 1040. SUBJECT: Expedition 47 (Soyuz 45) crew members Tim Kopra and Timothy Peake during FF T&C/R ADV2 training in the SES Alpha Cupola. PHOTOGRAPHER: Lauren Harnett

Date: 09-30-14 Location: Bldg 9NW, ISS Mockup Subject: Expedition 46/47 (Soyuz 45) crew members Tim Kopra, Timothy Peake, Yuri Malenchenko with instructor Wyatt Smith during Routine Ops training in the Space Vehicle Mockup Training Facility's ISS mockups Photographer: James Blair