Women in ceremonial Kazakh dress prepare to welcome home Expedition 41 Commander Max Suraev of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), NASA Flight Engineer Reid Wiseman and Flight Engineer Alexander Gerst of the European Space Agency (ESA) at the Kustanay Airport a few hours after they landed near the town of Arkalyk, Kazakhstan on on Monday, Nov. 10, 2014. Suraev, Wiseman and Gerst returned to Earth after more than five months onboard the International Space Station where they served as members of the Expedition 40 and 41 crews. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

A woman in ceremonial Kazakh dress presents flowers to Expedition 41 Flight Engineer Alexander Gerst of the European Space Agency (ESA) at the Kustanay Airport after he and Expedition 41 Commander Max Suraev of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and Flight Engineer Reid Wiseman of NASA landed in their Soyuz TMA-13M capsule in a remote area near the town of Arkalyk, Kazakhstan on Monday, Nov. 10, 2014. Suraev, Wiseman and Gerst returned to Earth after more than five months onboard the International Space Station where they served as members of the Expedition 40 and 41 crews. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

A woman in ceremonial Kazakh dress presents flowers to Expedition 41 Flight Engineer Reid Wiseman of NASA at the Kustanay Airport after he and Expedition 41 Commander Max Suraev of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and Flight Engineer Alexander Gerst of the European Space Agency (ESA) landed in their Soyuz TMA-13M capsule in a remote area near the town of Arkalyk, Kazakhstan on Monday, Nov. 10, 2014. Suraev, Wiseman and Gerst returned to Earth after more than five months onboard the International Space Station where they served as members of the Expedition 40 and 41 crews. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Dressed in traditional Kazakh garb, Expedition 37/38 backup crewmembers Steve Swanson of NASA (left), Alexander Skvortsov (center) and Oleg Artemyev (right) enjoy festivities and a Kazakh meal in Baikonur, Kazakhstan Sept. 17. Swanson, Skvortsov and Artemyev are serving as backups to the prime crewmembers, Flight Engineer Michael Hopkins of NASA, Soyuz Commander Oleg Kotov and Flight Engineer Sergey Ryazanskiy, who are preparing for launch Sept. 26, Kazakh time from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in the Soyuz TMA-10M spacecraft for a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 38/39 Flight Engineer Rick Mastracchio (top) participates in a fit check dress rehearsal October 28 in the Soyuz TMA-11M spacecraft with his crewmates, Soyuz Commander Mikhail Tyurin and Flight Engineer Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. The trio will launch Nov. 7, Kazakh time, in the Soyuz spacecraft from Baikonur to begin a six-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

nhq201704100051 (April 10, 2017) --- Girls in traditional Kazakhstan dress welcome back from space Expedition 50 Commander Shane Kimbrough of NASA and Flight Engineers Sergey Ryzhikov and Andrey Borisenko of Roscosmos at a Karaganda Airport welcome ceremony in Kazakhstan on Monday, April 10, 2017. 2017 (Kazakh time). Kimbrough, Ryzhikov, and Borisenko are returning after 173 days in space where they served as members of the Expedition 49 and 50 crews onboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

6388: In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 42/43 crewmember Terry Virts of NASA poses for a picture Nov. 19 by the Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft during the crew’s second and final pre-launch “fit check” dress rehearsal activities. Virts, Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency will launch on Nov. 24, Kazakh time, from Baikonur for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Viktor Ivanov

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 37/38 Flight Engineer Michael Hopkins of NASA is helped into his Russian Sokol launch and entry suit Sept. 14 for a “fit check” dress rehearsal training exercise. Hopkins, Soyuz Commander Oleg Kotov and Flight Sergey Ryazanskiy are preparing for launch Sept. 26, Kazakh time, from Baikonur on their Soyuz TMA-10M spacecraft to begin a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg of NASA signs a mural depicting a Soyuz rocket launch in the Korolev Museum May 24 following the final “fit check” dress rehearsal before launch. Nyberg, Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency and Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin are preparing for launch May 29, Kazakh time, in the Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft to begin a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 35-36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA conducts a leak check of his Russian Sokol launch and entry suit March 17 as he runs through a systems dress rehearsal called a “fit check” Cassidy, Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov and Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin are preparing for launch to the International Space Station from Baikonur on March 29, Kazakh time. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

11-12-12: In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 38/39 Flight Engineer Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency climbs aboard the Soyuz TMA-11M spacecraft Nov. 3 during the crew’s final fit check dress rehearsal. Wakata, Soyuz Commander Mikhail Tyurin and Flight Engineer Rick Mastracchio of NASA will launch Nov. 7, Kazakh time, for a six-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

11-11-56: In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 38/39 Flight Engineer Rick Mastracchio of NASA climbs aboard the Soyuz TMA-11M spacecraft Nov. 3 during the crew’s final fit check dress rehearsal. Mastracchio, Soyuz Commander Mikhail Tyurin and Flight Engineer Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency will launch Nov. 7, Kazakh time, for a six-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

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

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 37/38 Flight Engineer Michael Hopkins of NASA flexes his arms during a pressure check of his Russian Sokol launch and entry suit Sept. 14 as part of a “fit check” dress rehearsal training exercise. Hopkins, Soyuz Commander Oleg Kotov and Flight Sergey Ryazanskiy are preparing for launch Sept. 26, Kazakh time, from Baikonur on their Soyuz TMA-10M spacecraft to begin a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 37/38 Flight Engineer Michael Hopkins of NASA (left), Soyuz Commander Oleg Kotov (center) and Flight Engineer Sergey Ryazanskiy (right) walk past the Soyuz booster rocket Sept. 14 during a “fit check” dress rehearsal training exercise. The three crewmembers are preparing for launch Sept. 26, Kazakh time, from Baikonur on their Soyuz TMA-10M spacecraft to begin a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

NASA’s prime and backup crewmembers for Expedition 35-36 share a quiet moment March 17 during a systems dress rehearsal called a “fit check” at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. NASA Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy (left), Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov and Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin are preparing for launch to the International Space Station from Baikonur on March 29, Kazakh time. Cassidy’s backup, Michael Hopkins (right), is scheduled to launch to the station in September. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

5505: In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 42/43 crewmembers Terry Virts of NASA (left), Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) and Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency (right) pose for pictures Nov. 12 in front of their Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft during a “fit check” dress rehearsal. The trio will launch Nov. 24, Kazakh time, from Baikonur for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Ivanov

Women in traditional Kazakh dress wait to welcome Expedition 16 Commander Peggy Whitson, Flight Engineer and Soyuz Commander Yuri Malenchenko and South Korean spaceflight participant So-yeon Yi at the Kustanay airport in Kazakhstan, Friday, April 19, 2008. Whitson, Malenchenko and Yi landed their Soyuz TMA-11 capule in central Kazakhstan to complete 192 days in space for Whitson and Malenchenko and 11 days in orbit for Yi. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Girls in ceremonial Kazakh dress and Matryoshka Dolls depicting NASA astronaut Joe Acaba, left, Russian cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin, center, and NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei are seen during a welcome ceremony Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018 in the Zhezkazgan Airport, Kazakhstan. Acaba, Vande Hei, and Misurkin are returning after 168 days in space where they served as members of the Expedition 53 and 54 crews onboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

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

5313: In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 42/43 crewmember Terry Virts of NASA checks out the systems of the Soyuz TMA-15 spacecraft Nov. 12 during a “fit check” dress rehearsal. Virts, Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency will launch Nov. 24, Kazakh time, from Baikonur for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Ivanov

In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 47-48 crewmember Jeff Williams of NASA is seen in his seat through a window on the Soyuz TMA-20M spacecraft March 4 as he and his crewmates conducted a “fit check” dress rehearsal during pre-launch training. Williams and Alexey Ovchinin and Oleg Skripochka of Roscosmos will launch March 19, Kazakh time, for a six-month mission on the International Space Station. Courtesy of Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 37/38 Flight Engineer Michael Hopkins of NASA runs through his procedures inside the Soyuz TMA-10M spacecraft Sept. 14 as part of a “fit check” dress rehearsal training exercise. Hopkins, Soyuz Commander Oleg Kotov and Flight Sergey Ryazanskiy are preparing for launch Sept. 26, Kazakh time, from Baikonur on their Soyuz vehicle to begin a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

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

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

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

13-52-01-3: At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 40/41 Flight Engineer Reid Wiseman of NASA participates in a dress rehearsal “fit check” May 16 inside the Soyuz TMA-13M spacecraft. Wiseman, Soyuz Commander Max Suraev of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and Flight Engineer Alexander Gerst of the European Space Agency will launch from Baikonur on May 29, Kazakh time, for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

5473: In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 42/43 crewmembers Terry Virts of NASA (left), Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) and Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency (right) listen to reporters’ questions Nov. 12 during a “fit check” dress rehearsal. The trio will launch Nov. 24, Kazakh time, from Baikonur in the Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Ivanov

In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Russian technicians assist Expedition 35-36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA March 17 as he suits up for a systems dress rehearsal called a “fit check” Cassidy, Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov and Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin are preparing for launch to the International Space Station from Baikonur on March 29, Kazakh time. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

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

In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 38/39 Flight Engineer Rick Mastracchio of NASA (top), Soyuz Commander Mikhail Tyurin (center) and Flight Engineer Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (bottom) conduct a fit check dress rehearsal October 28 inside the Soyuz TMA-11M spacecraft. Mastracchio, Tyurin and Wakata will launch Nov. 7, Kazakh time, in the Soyuz from Baikonur to begin a six-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

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

10-19-57-2: At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 40/41 Flight Engineer Alexander Gerst of the European Space Agency poses for a picture May 16 as he enters the Soyuz TMA-13M spacecraft during a dress rehearsal “fit check”. Gerst, NASA Flight Engineer Reid Wiseman and Soyuz Commander Max Suraev of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) will launch from Baikonur on May 29, Kazakh time, for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

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

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

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

nhq201704100049 (April 10, 2017) --- Girls in traditional Kazakhstan dress wait to welcome the return of Expedition 50 Commander Shane Kimbrough of NASA and Flight Engineers Sergey Ryzhikov and Andrey Borisenko of Roscosmos at a Karaganda Airport welcome ceremony in Kazakhstan on Monday, April 10, 2017. 2017 (Kazakh time). Kimbrough, Ryzhikov, and Borisenko are returning after 173 days in space where they served as members of the Expedition 49 and 50 crews onboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

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

14-02-11: At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 40/41 Flight Engineer Reid Wiseman of NASA participates in a dress rehearsal “fit check” May 16 inside the Soyuz TMA-13M spacecraft. Wiseman, Soyuz Commander Max Suraev of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and Flight Engineer Alexander Gerst of the European Space Agency will launch from Baikonur on May 29, Kazakh time, for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

5295: In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 42/43 crewmember Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) climbs into the Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft during a “fit check” dress rehearsal Nov. 12. Shkaplerov, Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency and Terry Virts of NASA will launch Nov. 24, Kazakh time, from Baikonur for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Ivanov

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

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

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

5347: In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 42/43 crewmembers Terry Virts of NASA (left), Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) and Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency (right) pose for pictures Nov. 12 in front of the Soyuz booster to which their Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft will be mated as part of their “fit check” dress rehearsal. The trio will launch Nov. 24, Kazakh time, from Baikonur for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Ivanov

In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 47-48 crewmember Jeff Williams of NASA is seen in his seat through a window on the Soyuz TMA-20M spacecraft March 4 as he and his crewmates conducted a “fit check” dress rehearsal during pre-launch training. Williams and Alexey Ovchinin and Oleg Skripochka of Roscosmos will launch March 19, Kazakh time, for a six-month mission on the International Space Station. Courtesy of Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center

Russian Cosmonaut Gennady Padalka, left, NASA Astronaut Peggy Whitson, center, and Russian Cosmonaut Valery Korzun are seen in traditional Kazakh dress during a ceremony where they were recognized for their achievements in space flight on Thursday, Sept. 23, 2010 in Jhezkazgan, Kazakhstan. Padalka, Whitson, and Korzun were in Jhezkazgan in preparation for the Expedition 24 Soyuz TMA-18 spacecraft landing. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

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

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

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

In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 35-36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA is all business as he conducts a leak check of his Russian Sokol launch and entry suit March 17 during a systems dress rehearsal called a “fit check” Cassidy, Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov and Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin are preparing for launch to the International Space Station from Baikonur on March 29, Kazakh time. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

10-19-30: At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 40/41 Flight Engineer Reid Wiseman of NASA poses for a picture May 16 as he enters the Soyuz TMA-13M spacecraft during a dress rehearsal “fit check”. Wiseman, Flight Engineer Alexander Gerst of the European Space Agency and Soyuz Commander Max Suraev of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) will launch from Baikonur on May 29, Kazakh time, for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

Women in ceremonial Kazakh dress prepare to welcome home Expedition 34 Russian Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin, Commander Kevin Ford of NASA, and Russian Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy at the Kustanay Airport a few hours after they landed near the town of Arkalyk, Kazakhstan on Saturday, March 16, 2013. Tarelkin, Ford, and Novitskiy, returned from 142 days onboard the International Space Station where they served as members of the Expedition 33 and 34 crews. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

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

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

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 37/38 Flight Engineer Michael Hopkins of NASA (left), Soyuz Commander Oleg Kotov (center) and Flight Engineer Sergey Ryazanskiy (right) pose for pictures in front of their Soyuz TMA-10M spacecraft Sept. 14 during a “fit check” dress rehearsal training exercise. The three crewmembers are preparing for launch Sept. 26, Kazakh time, from Baikonur to begin a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the Expedition 35-36 prime crewmembers pose for pictures March 17 during a systems dress rehearsal called a “fit check”. Left to right are NASA Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy, Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov and Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin. Cassidy, Vinogradov and Misurkin are preparing for launch to the International Space Station from Baikonur on March 29, Kazakh time. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

6374: In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 42/43 crewmembers Terry Virts of NASA (left), Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) and Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency (right) pose for pictures Nov. 19 in front of their Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft during their second and final pre-launch “fit check” dress rehearsal activities. The trio will launch on Nov. 24, Kazakh time, from Baikonur for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Viktor Ivanov

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

nhq201704100050 (April 10, 2017) --- Girls in traditional Kazakhstan dress wait to welcome the return of Expedition 50 Commander Shane Kimbrough of NASA and Flight Engineers Sergey Ryzhikov and Andrey Borisenko of Roscosmos at a Karaganda Airport welcome ceremony in Kazakhstan on Monday, April 10, 2017. 2017 (Kazakh time). Kimbrough, Ryzhikov, and Borisenko are returning after 173 days in space where they served as members of the Expedition 49 and 50 crews onboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

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

5293 copy OK: In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 42/43 crewmember Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency climbs into the Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft during a “fit check” dress rehearsal Nov. 12. Cristoforetti, Terry Virts of NASA and Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) will launch Nov. 24, Kazakh time, from Baikonur for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Ivanov

6394: In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 42/43 crewmember Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency poses for a picture Nov. 19 by the Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft during the crew’s second and final pre-launch “fit check” dress rehearsal activities. Cristoforetti, Terry Virts of NASA and Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) will launch on Nov. 24, Kazakh time, from Baikonur for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Viktor Ivanov

14-04-43-5: At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 40/41 Flight Engineer Reid Wiseman of NASA offers a “thumbs up” as he participates in a dress rehearsal “fit check” May 16 inside the Soyuz TMA-13M spacecraft. Wiseman, Soyuz Commander Max Suraev of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and Flight Engineer Alexander Gerst of the European Space Agency will launch from Baikonur on May 29, Kazakh time, for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 37/38 Flight Engineer Michael Hopkins of NASA waves during a pressure check of his Russian Sokol launch and entry suit Sept. 14 as part of a “fit check” dress rehearsal training exercise. Hopkins, Soyuz Commander Oleg Kotov and Flight Sergey Ryazanskiy are preparing for launch Sept. 26, Kazakh time, from Baikonur on their Soyuz TMA-10M spacecraft to begin a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

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

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

In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 35-36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA has a playful moment with his Russian Sokol launch and entry suit March 17 during a systems dress rehearsal called a “fit check”. Cassidy, Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov and Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin are preparing for launch to the International Space Station from Baikonur on March 29, Kazakh time. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 35-36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA climbs into his Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft March 17 for a systems dress rehearsal called a “fit check”. Cassidy, Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov and Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin are preparing for launch to the International Space Station from Baikonur on March 29, Kazakh time. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

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

5542: In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 42/43 crewmember Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency climbs into the Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft during a “fit check” dress rehearsal Nov. 12. Cristoforetti, Terry Virts of NASA and Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) will launch Nov. 24, Kazakh time, from Baikonur for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Ivanov

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency signs a mural depicting a Soyuz rocket launch in the Korolev Museum May 24 following the final “fit check” dress rehearsal before launch. Parmitano, NASA Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg and Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin are preparing for launch May 29, Kazakh time, in the Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft to begin a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

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

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

In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 38/39 Flight Engineer Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (left), Soyuz Commander Mikhail Tyurin (center) and Flight Engineer Rick Mastracchio of NASA (right) pose for pictures outside their Soyuz TMA-11M spacecraft October 28 following a fit check dress rehearsal. The trio will launch Nov. 7, Kazakh time, in the Soyuz spacecraft from Baikonur to begin a six-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

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

In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 38/39 Flight Engineer Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (left), Soyuz Commander Mikhail Tyurin (center) and Flight Engineer Rick Mastracchio of NASA (right) strike a playful pose for pictures with their Russian Sokol launch and entry suits October 28 following a fit check dress rehearsal. The trio will launch Nov. 7, Kazakh time, in the Soyuz spacecraft from Baikonur to begin a six-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 37/38 Flight Engineer Michael Hopkins of NASA focuses on a piece of hardware Sept. 14 as part of a “fit check” dress rehearsal training exercise. Hopkins, Soyuz Commander Oleg Kotov and Flight Sergey Ryazanskiy are preparing for launch Sept. 26, Kazakh time, from Baikonur on their Soyuz TMA-10M spacecraft to begin a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 35-36 Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA climbs into his Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft March 17 for a systems dress rehearsal called a “fit check”. Cassidy, Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov and Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin are preparing for launch to the International Space Station from Baikonur on March 29, Kazakh time. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 37/38 Flight Engineer Michael Hopkins of NASA hoists his Russian Sokol launch and entry suit into the air Sept. 14 as part of a “fit check” dress rehearsal training exercise. Hopkins, Soyuz Commander Oleg Kotov and Flight Sergey Ryazanskiy are preparing for launch Sept. 26, Kazakh time, from Baikonur on their Soyuz TMA-10M spacecraft to begin a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

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

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

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

12-41-29: At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 40/41 Flight Engineer Reid Wiseman of NASA undergoes leak and pressure checks on his Russian Sokol launch and entry suit May 16 during a dress rehearsal “fit check”. Wiseman, Soyuz Commander Max Suraev of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and Flight Engineer Alexander Gerst of the European Space Agency will launch from Baikonur on May 29, Kazakh time, in the Soyuz TMA-13M spacecraft for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

13-15-15-3: At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 40/41 Flight Engineer Alexander Gerst of the European Space Agency (left), Soyuz Commander Max Suraev of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) and Flight Engineer Reid Wiseman of NASA (right) pose for pictures in front of the Soyuz booster rocket’s first stage engines May 24 during the final fit check training dress rehearsal. The trio will launch May 29, Kazakh time, on the Soyuz TMA-13M spacecraft for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

13-17-28-3: At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 40/41 Flight Engineer Alexander Gerst of the European Space Agency poses for a picture May 16 in his Russian Sokol launch and entry suit as he enters the Soyuz TMA-13M spacecraft during a dress rehearsal “fit check”. Gerst, NASA Flight Engineer Reid Wiseman and Soyuz Commander Max Suraev of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) will launch from Baikonur on May 29, Kazakh time, for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

2014-03-14-12-55-32[1] In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 39/40 Flight Engineer Steve Swanson of NASA undergoes a pressure check for his Russian Sokol launch and entry suit during a “fit check” dress rehearsal March 14 that is part of the crew’s training. Swanson, Soyuz Commander Alexander Skvortsov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and Flight Engineer Oleg Artemyev of Roscosmos are scheduled to launch to the International Space Station March 26 (Kazakh time) for the start of a six-month mission. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

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

Expedition 27 Flight Engineer Cady Coleman answers reporters questions in traditional Kazakh dress during a press conference at the Karaganda airport shortly after she and Commander Dmitry Kondratyev and Flight Engineer Paolo Nespoli landed in their Soyuz TMA-20 southeast of the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan, on Tuesday, May 24, 2011. NASA Astronaut Coleman, Russian Cosmonaut Kondratyev and Italian Astronaut Nespoli are returning from more than five months onboard the International Space Station where they served as members of the Expedition 26 and 27 crews. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

jsc2018e097323 - At the Baikonur Museum in the town of Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 58 backup crewmembers Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency (second from left), Alexander Skvortsov of Roscosmos (second from right) and Drew Morgan of NASA (far right) enjoy a traditional Kazakh tea ceremony dressed in native attire Nov. 21 as part of pre-launch activities. They are backups to Anne McClain of NASA, Oleg Kononenko of Roscosmos and David Saint-Jacques of the Canadian Space Agency, who will launch Dec. 3 on the Soyuz MS-11 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a six-and-a-half month mission on the International Space Station...NASA/Victor Zelentsov.

Expedition 34 Commander Kevin Ford of NASA poses for a photograph with women in ceremonial Kazakh dress at the Kustanay Airport in Kazakhstan a few hours after he, along with Expedition 34 Russian Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy, and Russian Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin, landed their Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft near the town of Arkalyk on Saturday, March 16, 2013. Ford, Novitskiy, and, Tarelkin returned from 142 days onboard the International Space Station where they served as members of the Expedition 33 and 34 crews. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

2014-03-14-12-43-15[1] In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 39/40 Flight Engineer Steve Swanson of NASA (right) shares a word with crewmate and Flight Engineer Oleg Artemyev of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) during a “fit check” dress rehearsal March 14 that is part of the crew’s final training. Swanson, Artemyev and Soyuz Commander Alexander Skvortsov of Roscosmos are scheduled to launch to the International Space Station March 26 (Kazakh time) for the start of a six-month mission. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

59-49-3: At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 40/41 Flight Engineer Reid Wiseman of NASA poses for pictures as he boards the Soyuz TMA-13M spacecraft May 24 during the final fit check training dress rehearsal. Wiseman, Soyuz Commander Max Suraev of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and Flight Engineer Alexander Gerst of the European Space Agency will launch May 29, Kazakh time, on the Soyuz TMA-13M spacecraft for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

13-12-18-49: (13 Sept. 2014) --- At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 41/42 Flight Engineer Barry Wilmore of NASA suits up in his Russian Sokol launch and entry suit Sept. 13 during the first of two “fit check” dress rehearsal activities. Wilmore, Soyuz Commander Alexander Samokutyaev of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and Flight Engineer Elena Serova of Roscosmos will launch on Sept. 26, Kazakh time, in the Soyuz TMA-14M spacecraft to begin a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. Serova will become the fourth Russian woman to fly in space. Photo credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov

In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the Expedition 35-36 prime and backup crews pose for pictures March 17 during a systems dress rehearsal called a “fit check”. Left to right in the front row is the prime crew --- NASA Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy, Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov and Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin. Left to the right in the back row are backup crewmembers Michael Hopkins of NASA, Oleg Kotov and Sergey Ryazanskiy. Cassidy, Vinogradov and Misurkin are preparing for launch to the International Space Station from Baikonur on March 29, Kazakh time. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

Expedition 28 Commander Andrey Borisenko answers reporters questions in traditional Kazakh dress during a press conference at the Karaganda airport shortly after he and Flight Engineers Alexander Samokutyaev and Ron Garan landed in their Soyuz TMA-21 outside of the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan, on Friday, Sept. 16, 2011. NASA Astronaut Garan, Russian Cosmonauts Borisenko and Samokutyaev are returning from more than five months onboard the International Space Station where they served as members of the Expedition 27 and 28 crews. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Expedition 28 Flight Engineer Ron Garan answers reporters questions in traditional Kazakh dress during a press conference at the Karaganda airport shortly after he and Expedition 28 Commander Andrey Borisenko and Flight Engineer Ron Garan landed in their Soyuz TMA-21 outside of the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan, on Friday, Sept. 16, 2011. Garan, Borisenko and Samokutyaev are returning from more than five months onboard the International Space Station where they served as members of the Expedition 27 and 28 crews. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Expedition 34 Russian Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy, left, and Russian Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin pose for a photograph with women in ceremonial Kazakh dress at the Kustanay Airport in Kazakhstan a few hours after they, along with Expedition 34 Commander Kevin Ford of NASA, landed their Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft near the town of Arkalyk on Saturday, March 16, 2013. Novitskiy, Tarelkin, and Ford returned from 142 days onboard the International Space Station where they served as members of the Expedition 33 and 34 crews. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

5379: In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 42/43 crewmember Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, left) undergoes a leak check in his Sokol launch and entry suit Nov. 12 as part of a “fit check” dress rehearsal while crewmate Terry Virts of NASA (right) gestures while waiting his turn. Shkaplerov, Virts and Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency will launch Nov. 24, Kazakh time, from Baikonur in the Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Ivanov

20-28-2: At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 40/41 backup crewmember Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency poses for pictures as she boards the Soyuz TMA-13M spacecraft May 24 during the final fit check training dress rehearsal. Cristoforetti, Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and Terry Virts of NASA are backups to the prime crew --- Reid Wiseman of NASA, Max Suraev of Roscosmos and Alexander Gerst of NASA, who will launch May 29, Kazakh time, on the Soyuz TMA-13M spacecraft for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

Girls in traditional Kazakh dress smile after welcoming home Expedition 33 crew members; Commander Sunita Williams of NASA, and Flight Engineers Yuri Malenchenko of ROSCOSMOS (Russian Federal Space Agency), and Akihiko Hoshide of JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) at the Kustanay Airport in Kazakhstan a few hours after the Expedition 33 crew landed their Soyuz spacecraft in a remote area outside the town of Arkalyk, Kazakhstan, on Monday, Nov. 19, 2012. Williams, Hoshide and Malenchenko returned from four months onboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)