Expedition 54 crew members Joe Acaba and Mark Vande Hei of NASA and cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin are seen inside their Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft shortly after they landed near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018 (February 27 Eastern time.) 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)
The Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft is seen as it lands with Expedition 54 crew members Joe Acaba and Mark Vande Hei of NASA and cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018 (February 27 Eastern time.) 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)
The Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft is seen as it lands with Expedition 54 crew members Joe Acaba and Mark Vande Hei of NASA and cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018 (February 27 Eastern time.) 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)
NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei is helped out of the Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft just minutes after he, NASA astronaut Joe Acaba, and Russian cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin, landed in a remote area near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018 (February 27 Eastern time.) 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)
Russian cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin rests in a chair shortly after he, NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei, and NASA astronaut Joe Acaba landed in their Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018 (February 27 Eastern time.) 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)
The Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft is seen as it lands with Expedition 54 crew members Joe Acaba and Mark Vande Hei of NASA and cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018 (February 27 Eastern time.) 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)
NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei is helped out of the Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft just minutes after he, NASA astronaut Joe Acaba, and Russian cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin landed in a remote area near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018 (February 27 Eastern time.) 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)
NASA astronaut Joe Acaba rests in a chair shortly after he, NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei, and Russian cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin landed in their Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018 (February 27 Eastern time.) 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)
The Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft is seen as it lands with Expedition 54 crew members Joe Acaba and Mark Vande Hei of NASA and cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018 (February 27 Eastern time.) 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)
The Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft is seen as it lands with Expedition 54 crew members Joe Acaba and Mark Vande Hei of NASA and cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018 (February 27 Eastern time.) 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)
The Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft is seen as it lands with Expedition 54 crew members Joe Acaba and Mark Vande Hei of NASA and cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018 (February 27 Eastern time.) 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)
The Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft is seen as it lands with Expedition 54 crew members Joe Acaba and Mark Vande Hei of NASA and cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018 (February 27 Eastern time.) 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)
Russian Search and Rescue teams arrive at the Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft shortly after it landed with Expedition 54 crew members Joe Acaba and Mark Vande Hei of NASA and cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018 (February 27 Eastern time.) 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)
NASA astronaut Joe Acaba is carried to a medical tent shortly after he, NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei, and Russian cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin landed in their Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018 (February 27 Eastern time.) 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)
The Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft is seen as it lands with Expedition 54 crew members Joe Acaba and Mark Vande Hei of NASA and cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018 (February 27 Eastern time.) 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)
Russian Search and Rescue teams arrive at the Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft shortly after it landed with Expedition 54 crew members Joe Acaba and Mark Vande Hei of NASA and cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018 (February 27 Eastern time.) 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)
Russian Search and Rescue teams arrive at the Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft shortly after it landed with Expedition 54 crew members Joe Acaba and Mark Vande Hei of NASA and cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018 (February 27 Eastern time.) 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)
Russian Search and Rescue teams arrive at the Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft shortly after it landed with Expedition 54 crew members Joe Acaba and Mark Vande Hei of NASA and cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018 (February 27 Eastern time.) 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)
NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei rests in a chair shortly after he, NASA astronaut Joe Acaba, and Russian cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin landed in their Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018 (February 27 Eastern time.) 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)
The Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft is seen as it lands with Expedition 54 crew members Joe Acaba and Mark Vande Hei of NASA and cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018 (February 27 Eastern time.) 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)
Russian Search and Rescue teams arrive at the Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft shortly after it landed with Expedition 54 crew members Joe Acaba and Mark Vande Hei of NASA and cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018 (February 27 Eastern time.) 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)
Russian cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin is helped out of the Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft just minutes after he, NASA astronauts Joe Acaba, and Mark Vande Hei, landed in a remote area near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018 (February 27 Eastern time.) 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)
NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei is carried to a medical tent shortly after he, NASA astronaut Joe Acaba, and Russian cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin landed in their Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018 (February 27 Eastern time.) 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)
Expedition 54 crew members Joe Acaba and Mark Vande Hei of NASA and cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin are seen inside their Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft shortly after they landed near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018 (February 27 Eastern time.) 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)
Russian Search and Rescue teams arrive at the Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft shortly after it landed with Expedition 54 crew members Joe Acaba and Mark Vande Hei of NASA and cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018 (February 27 Eastern time.) 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)
NASA astronaut Joe Acaba, left, Russian cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin, center, and NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei sit in chairs outside the Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft after they landed in a remote area near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018 (February 27 Eastern time.) 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)
NASA astronaut Joe Acaba signs autographs while onboard a Russian MI-8 helicopter that is transporting him from the Soyuz landing site outside of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan where he and NASA astronaut Joe Acaba, and Russian cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin landed in their Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018 (February 27 Eastern time.) 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)
Expedition 54 cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin of the Russian space agency Roscosmos is welcomed at the Chkalovsky Airport in Star City, Russia by family and colleagues a few hours after he and NASA astronauts Joe Acaba and Mark Vande Hei landed their Soyuz MS-06 capsule near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018 (February 27 Eastern time.) 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)
jsc2017e114474 (Aug. 28, 2017) --- In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the Expedition 53-54 crewmembers pose for pictures Aug. 28 during pre-launch training activities in front of their Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft. Joe Acaba of NASA (left), Alexander Misurkin of Roscosmos (center) and Mark Vande Hei of NASA (right) will launch Sept. 13 on the Soyuz MS-06 for a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Credit: Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center/Irina Peshkova
jsc2017e114476 (Aug. 28, 2017) --- In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 53-54 crewmember Mark Vande Hei of NASA enters the Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft during pre-launch training activities Aug. 28. Vande Hei, Alexander Misurkin of Roscosmos and Joe Acaba of NASA will launch Sept. 13 on the Soyuz MS-06 for a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Credit: Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center/Irina Peshkova
jsc2017e114475 (Aug. 28, 2017) --- In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 53-54 crewmember Joe Acaba of NASA enters the Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft during pre-launch training activities Aug. 28. Acaba, Alexander Misurkin of Roscosmos and Mark Vande Hei of NASA will launch Sept. 13 on the Soyuz MS-06 for a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Credit: Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center/Irina Peshkova
jsc2017e115139 (Sept. 7, 2017) --- At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 53-54 crewmembers Joe Acaba of NASA (left), Alexander Misurkin of Roscosmos (center) and Mark Vande Hei of NASA (right) pose for pictures Sept. 7 in front of the Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft during final fit check training activities. They will launch Sept. 13 on the Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft for a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Credit: Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center/Irina Peshkova
jsc2017e115140 (Sept. 7, 2017) --- At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 53-54 crewmember Mark Vande Hei of NASA boards the Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft Sept. 7 during final fit check training activities. Vande Hei, Joe Acaba of NASA and Alexander Misurkin of Roscosmos will launch Sept. 13 on the Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft for a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Credit: Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center/Irina Peshkova
jsc2017e115141 (Sept. 7, 2017) --- At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 53-54 crewmember Joe Acaba of NASA boards the Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft Sept. 7 during final fit check training activities. Acaba, Mark Vande Hei of NASA and Alexander Misurkin of Roscosmos will launch Sept. 13 on the Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft for a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Credit: Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center/Irina Peshkova
jsc2017e114471 (Aug. 28, 2017) --- At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the Expedition 53-54 backup crewmembers pose for pictures in from of the Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft during pre-launch training activities Aug. 28. Shannon Walker of NASA (left), Anton Shkaplerov of Roscosmos (center) and Scott tingle of NASA (right) are serving as backups to the prime crewmembers, Joe Acaba and Mark Vande Hei of NASA and Alexander Misurkin of Roscosmos, who will launch Sept. 13 on the Soyuz MS-06 for a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Credit: Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center/Irina Peshkova
jsc2017e108518 (June 30, 2017) --- Cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin of Roscosmos is the flight engineer for Expedition 53 and the commander of Expedition 54. Misurkin is also the commander of the Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft launching him and fellow Expedition 53-54 crew members Joe Acaba and Mark Vande Hei to the International Space Station.
Expedition 54 crew members Alexander Misurkinat of Roscosmos, left, and NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei are seen during a welcome ceremony at the Zhezkazgan Airport on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018. 2018 (February 27 Eastern time.) Vande Hei, and Misurkin returned with NASA astronaut Joe Acaba 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)
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)
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)
Girls in ceremonial Kazak dress wait to welcome the return of Expedition 54 crew members Joe Acaba and Mark Vande Hei of NASA and cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin at a Zhezkazgan Airport welcome ceremony in Kazakhstan on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018. 2018 (February 27 Eastern time.) 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)
Expedition 54 crew members Alexander Misurkinat of Roscosmos, left, and NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei are seen during a welcome ceremony at the Zhezkazgan Airport on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018. 2018 (February 27 Eastern time.) Vande Hei, and Misurkin returned with NASA astronaut Joe Acaba 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)
NASA, Roscosmos, and Russian Search and Rescue teams arrive in Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan to prepare for the Soyuz MS-06 landing with Expedition 54 crew members Joe Acaba and Mark Vande Hei of NASA and cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan on Monday, Feb. 26, 2018. 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)
jsc2017e114482 (Sept. 1, 2017) --- At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 53-54 crewmembers Joe Acaba of NASA (left), Alexander Misurkin of Roscosmos (center) and Mark Vande Hei of NASA (right) pose for pictures following a news conference Sept. 1. They will launch Sept. 13 on the Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on a five and a half month mission aboard the International Space Station. Credit: NASA/Elizabeth Weissinger
NASA, Roscosmos, and Russian Search and Rescue teams arrive in Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan to prepare for the Soyuz MS-06 landing with Expedition 54 crew members Joe Acaba and Mark Vande Hei of NASA and cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin, Monday, Feb. 26, 2018. 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)
jsc2017e115136 (Sept. 7, 2017) --- At their Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, the Expedition 53-54 prime and backup crewmembers raise the flags of the United States, Russia and Kazakhstan Sept. 7 during traditional pre-launch ceremonies. Joe Acaba of NASA, Alexander Misurkin of Roscosmos and Mark Vande Hei of NASA will launch Sept. 13 on the Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft for a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov
Russian Search and Rescue teams deploy on MI-8 helicopters from Karaganda to Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan to prepare for the Soyuz MS-06 landing with Expedition 54 crew members Joe Acaba and Mark Vande Hei of NASA and cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin, Monday, Feb. 26, 2018. 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)
jsc2017e115134 (Sept. 7, 2017) --- In the Korolev Museum at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 53-54 crewmembers Joe Acaba of NASA (left), Alexander Misurkin of Roscosmos (center) and Mark Vande Hei of NASA (right) display “launch keys” during a museum visit Sept. 7 as part of pre-launch activities. They will launch Sept. 13 on the Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft for a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov
jsc2017e114486 (Sept. 1, 2017) --- Expedition 53-54 crewmembers Joe Acaba of NASA (left), Alexander Misurkin of Roscosmos (center) and Mark Vande Hei of NASA (right) pose for pictures in front of the Tsar Cannon in the Kremlin in Moscow Sept. 1 as part of traditional pre-launch ceremonies. They will launch Sept. 13 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan Sept. 13 on the Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft for a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Credit: NASA/Elizabeth Weissinger
jsc2017e114488 (Sept. 1, 2017) --- Expedition 53-54 prime crewmember Alexander Misurkin of Roscosmos (foreground) and his backup and fellow cosmonaut Anton Shkaplerov lay flowers at the Kremlin Wall in Red Square in Moscow Sept. 1 as part of traditional pre-launch ceremonies. Misurkin and Joe Acaba and Mark Vande Hei of NASA will launch Sept. 13 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan Sept. 13 on the Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft for a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Credit: NASA/Elizabeth Weissinger
jsc2017e115135 (Sept. 7, 2017) --- In the Korolev Museum at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 53-54 crewmembers Joe Acaba of NASA (left), Alexander Misurkin of Roscosmos (center) and Mark Vande Hei of NASA (right) pose for pictures during a museum visit Sept. 7 as part of pre-launch activities. They will launch Sept. 13 on the Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft for a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov
jsc2017e115132 (Sept. 7, 2017) --- In the Korolev Museum at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 53-54 crewmember Joe Acaba of NASA signs a wall mural Sept. 7 as part of traditional pre-launch activities. Acaba, Mark Vande Hei of NASA and Alexander Misurkin of Roscosmos will launch Sept. 13 on the Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft for a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov
jsc2017e114492 (Sept. 1, 2017) --- NASA astronauts Joe Acaba (left) and Shannon Walker pose for pictures by a statue of a peacock at the Kremlin in Moscow Sept. 1. The statue had special significance for them since they are members of the Astronaut Class of 2004 that bears the nickname “The Peacocks”. Acaba, Alexander Misurkin of Roscosmos and Mark Vande Hei of NASA will launch Sept. 13 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan Sept. 13 on the Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft for a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Credit: NASA/Elizabeth Weissinger
Russian Search and Rescue teams deploy on MI-8 helicopters from Karaganda to Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan to prepare for the Soyuz MS-06 landing with Expedition 54 crew members Joe Acaba and Mark Vande Hei of NASA and cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin, Monday, Feb. 26, 2018. 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)
NASA, Roscosmos, and Russian Search and Rescue teams arrive in Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan to prepare for the Soyuz MS-06 landing with Expedition 54 crew members Joe Acaba and Mark Vande Hei of NASA and cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan on Monday, Feb. 26, 2018. 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)
Russian Search and Rescue teams deploy on MI-8 helicopters from Karaganda to Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan to prepare for the Soyuz MS-06 landing with Expedition 54 crew members Joe Acaba and Mark Vande Hei of NASA and cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin, Monday, Feb. 26, 2018. 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)
jsc2017e114749 (Sept. 6, 2017) --- Expedition 53-54 crewmembers Joe Acaba of NASA (left), Alexander Misurkin of Roscosmos (center) and Mark Vande Hei of NASA (right) arrive at their launch site at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan Sept. 6 after a flight from their training base in Star City, Russia for final pre-launch training. They will launch Sept. 13 on the Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome for a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov
jsc2017e114494 (Sept. 1, 2017) --- Prime Expedition 53-54 crewmember and NASA astronaut Joe Acaba lays flowers at the Kremlin Wall in Moscow where Russian space icons are interred as part of traditional pre-launch ceremonies Sept. 1. Acaba, Mark Vande Hei of NASA and Alexander Misurkin of Roscosmos will launch Sept. 13 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan Sept. 13 on the Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft for a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Credit: NASA/Elizabeth Weissinger
Russian Search and Rescue teams deploy on MI-8 helicopters from Karaganda to Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan to prepare for the Soyuz MS-06 landing with Expedition 54 crew members Joe Acaba and Mark Vande Hei of NASA and cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin, Monday, Feb. 26, 2018. 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)
jsc2017e114495 (Sept. 1, 2017) --- Prime Expedition 53-54 crewmember and NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei lays flowers at the Kremlin Wall in Moscow where Russian space icons are interred as part of traditional pre-launch ceremonies Sept. 1. Vande He, Joe Acaba of NASA and Alexander Misurkin of Roscosmos will launch Sept. 13 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan Sept. 13 on the Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft for a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Credit: NASA/Elizabeth Weissinger
jsc2017e115137 (Sept. 7, 2017) --- At their Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 53-54 prime and backup crewmembers Joe Acaba of NASA (left) and Shannon Walker of NASA (right) raise the United States flag Sept. 7 during traditional pre-launch ceremonies. Acaba, Alexander Misurkin of Roscosmos and Mark Vande Hei of NASA will launch Sept. 13 on the Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft for a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov
jsc2017e114478 (Sept. 1, 2017) --- At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 53-54 crewmembers Mark Vande Hei of NASA (left) and Alexander Misurkin of Roscosmos listen to reporters’ questions during a news conference Sept. 1. Vande Hei, Misurkin and Joe Acaba of NASA will launch Sept. 13 on the Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on a five and a half month mission aboard the International Space Station. Credit: NASA/Elizabeth Weissinger
Russian Search and Rescue teams deploy on MI-8 helicopters from Karaganda to Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan to prepare for the Soyuz MS-06 landing with Expedition 54 crew members Joe Acaba and Mark Vande Hei of NASA and cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin, Monday, Feb. 26, 2018. 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)
jsc2017e115138 (Sept. 7, 2017) --- At their Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 53-54 backup and prime crewmembers Scott Tingle of NASA (left) and Mark Vande Hei of NASA (right) raise the United States flag Sept. 7 during traditional pre-launch ceremonies. Vande Hei, Joe Acaba of NASa and Alexander Misurkin of Roscosmos will launch Sept. 13 on the Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft for a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov
jsc2017e114480 (Sept. 1, 2017) --- At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 53-54 crewmember Mark Vande Hei of NASA answers a reporter’s question during a news conference Sept. 1. Vande Hei, Joe Acaba of NASA and Alexander Misurkin of Roscosmos will launch Sept. 13 on the Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on a five and a half month mission aboard the International Space Station. Credit: NASA/Elizabeth Weissinger
jsc2017e115213 (Sept.. 8, 2017) --- At the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 53-54 crewmember Joe Acaba of NASA waters a tree bearing his name he previously planted in a traditional pre-launch ceremony Sept. 8. Acaba, Alexander Misurkin of Roscosmos and Mark Vande Hei of NASA will launch Sept. 13 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on the Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft for a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov
NASA, Roscosmos, and Russian Search and Rescue teams arrive at the Karagada airport to deploy to Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan to pre-stage for the Soyuz MS-06 landing with Expedition 54 crew members Joe Acaba and Mark Vande Hei of NASA and cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin, Monday, Feb. 26, 2018. 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)
NASA, Roscosmos, and Russian Search and Rescue teams arrive in Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan to prepare for the Soyuz MS-06 landing with Expedition 54 crew members Joe Acaba and Mark Vande Hei of NASA and cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan on Monday, Feb. 26, 2018. 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)
Russian Search and Rescue teams deploy on MI-8 helicopters from Karaganda to Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan to prepare for the Soyuz MS-06 landing with Expedition 54 crew members Joe Acaba and Mark Vande Hei of NASA and cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin, Monday, Feb. 26, 2018. 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)
NASA, Roscosmos, and Russian Search and Rescue teams arrive in Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan to prepare for the Soyuz MS-06 landing with Expedition 54 crew members Joe Acaba and Mark Vande Hei of NASA and cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin, Monday, Feb. 26, 2018. 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)
NASA, Roscosmos, and Russian Search and Rescue teams arrive in Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan to prepare for the Soyuz MS-06 landing with Expedition 54 crew members Joe Acaba and Mark Vande Hei of NASA and cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan on Monday, Feb. 26, 2018. 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)
jsc2017e114487 (Sept. 1, 2017) --- Expedition 53-54 crewmembers Mark Vande Hei (left) and Joe Acaba (right) of NASA take a moment to relish the view Sept. 1 as they toured the Kremlin in Moscow as part of traditional pre-launch ceremonies. Vande Hei, Acaba and Alexander Misurkin of Roscosmos will launch Sept. 13 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan Sept. 13 on the Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft for a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Credit: NASA/Elizabeth Weissinger
jsc2017e114477 (Aug. 28, 2017) --- In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 53-54 crewmembers Joe Acaba of NASA (let), Alexander Misurkin of Roscosmos (center) and Mark Vande Hei of NASA (right) hold up their Sokol launch and entry suits for photographers Aug. 28 during pre-launch training activities. The trio will launch Sept. 13 on the Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft for a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Credit: Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center/Irina Peshkova
NASA, Roscosmos, and Russian Search and Rescue teams deploy from Karaganda to Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan to prepare for the Soyuz MS-06 landing with Expedition 54 crew members Joe Acaba and Mark Vande Hei of NASA and cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin, Monday, Feb. 26, 2018. 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)
Russian Search and Rescue teams deploy on MI-8 helicopters from Karaganda to Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan to prepare for the Soyuz MS-06 landing with Expedition 54 crew members Joe Acaba and Mark Vande Hei of NASA and cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin, Monday, Feb. 26, 2018. 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)
jsc2017e114481 (Sept. 1, 2017) --- At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 53-54 crewmember Joe Acaba of NASA answers a reporter’s question during a news conference Sept. 1. Acaba, Mark Vande Hei of NASA and Alexander Misurkin of Roscosmos will launch Sept. 13 on the Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on a five and a half month mission aboard the International Space Station. Credit: NASA/Elizabeth Weissinger
jsc2017e114473 (Aug. 28, 2017) --- In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the Expedition 53-54 crewmembers pose for pictures Aug. 28 during pre-launch training activities. Joe Acaba of NASA (left), Alexander Misurkin of Roscosmos (center) and Mark Vande Hei of NASA (right) will launch Sept. 13 on the Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft for a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Credit: Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center/Irina Peshkova
Russian Search and Rescue teams deploy from Karaganda to Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan to prepare for the Soyuz MS-06 landing with Expedition 54 crew members Joe Acaba and Mark Vande Hei of NASA and cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin, Monday, Feb. 26, 2018. 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)
jsc2017e115133 (Sept. 7, 2017) --- In the Korolev Museum at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the Expedition 53-54 prime and backup crewmembers display a flag bearing their Soyuz mission insignia Sept. 7 as part of traditional pre-launch activities. From left to right are Shannon Walker of NASA, Joe Acaba of NASA, Alexander Misurkin of Roscosmos, Mark Vande Hei of NASA, Anton Shkaplerov of Roscosmos and Scott Tingle of NASA. Acaba, Misurkin and Vande Hei will launch Sept. 13 on the Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft for a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov
jsc2017e115214 (Sept.. 8, 2017) --- At the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, the Expedition 53-54 prime and backup crewmembers pose for photos around a Soyuz rocket mock up Sept. 8 as part of pre-launch activities. From left to right are the backup crewmembers, Shannon Walker of NASA, Anton Shkaplerov of Roscosmos and Scott Tingle of NASA and the prime crewmembers, Joe Acaba of NASA, Alexander Misurkin of Roscosmos and Mark Vande Hei of NASA. Acaba, Misurkin and Vande Hei will launch Sept. 13 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on the Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft for a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov
jsc2017e115215 (Sept.. 8, 2017) --- At the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, the Expedition 53-54 prime and backup crewmembers pose for photos around a Soyuz rocket mock up Sept. 8 as part of pre-launch activities. From left to right are the backup crewmembers, Shannon Walker of NASA, Anton Shkaplerov of Roscosmos and Scott Tingle of NASA and the prime crewmembers, Joe Acaba of NASA, Alexander Misurkin of Roscosmos and Mark Vande Hei of NASA. Acaba, Misurkin and Vande Hei will launch Sept. 13 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on the Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft for a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov
jsc2017e115142 (Sept. 7, 2017) --- At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the Expedition 53-54 prime and backup crewmembers pose for pictures Sept. 7 in front of the first stage engines of the Soyuz booster the prime crew will ride to orbit. From left to right are Joe Acaba of NASA, Alexander Misurkin of Roscosmos , Scott Tingle of NASA, Shannon Walker of NASA, Mark Vande Hei of NASA and Anton Shkaplerov of Roscosmos. Acaba, Misurkin and Vande Hei will launch Sept. 13 on the Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft for a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Credit: Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center/Irina Peshkova
jsc2017e114747 (Sept. 6, 2017) --- Aboard the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center Aircraft en route from their training base to their launch site at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for final pre-launch training, Expedition 53-54 crewmembers Joe Acaba (left) and Mark Vande Hei (center) of NASA and Alexander Misurkin of Roscosmos (right) point to the stickers bearing their mission insignias Sept. 6. They will launch Sept. 13 on the Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome for a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov
jsc2017e114489 (Sept. 1, 2017) --- Expedition 53-54 prime crewmember Alexander Misurkin of Roscosmos walks through the ground of the Kremlin in Moscow with his family Sept. 1 as part of traditional pre-launch ceremonies. Following Misurkin are NASA astronauts Joe Acaba, Mark Vande Hei, Shannon Walker and Scott Tingle. Misurkin, Acaba and Vande Hei will launch Sept. 13 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan Sept. 13 on the Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft for a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Credit: NASA/Elizabeth Weissinger
jsc2017e114751 (Sept. 6, 2017) --- Expedition 53-54 crewmembers Joe Acaba of NASA (left), Alexander Misurkin of Roscosmos (center) and Mark Vande Hei of NASA (right) are greeted by local students after arriving at their launch site at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan Sept. 6 following a flight from their training base in Star City, Russia for final pre-launch training. They will launch Sept. 13 on the Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome for a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov
jsc2017e114750 (Sept. 6, 2017) --- Expedition 53-54 crewmembers Joe Acaba of NASA (left), Alexander Misurkin of Roscosmos (center) and Mark Vande Hei of NASA (right) report to Russian space officials after arriving at their launch site at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan Sept. 6 following a flight from their training base in Star City, Russia for final pre-launch training. They will launch Sept. 13 on the Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome for a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov
jsc2017e114491 (Sept. 1, 2017) --- The Expedition 53-54 prime and backup crewmembers pose for pictures in front of the Tsar Cannon at the Kremlin in Moscow Sept. 1 as part of their traditional pre-launch visit. From left to right are prime crewmembers Joe Acaba of NASA, Alexander Misurkin of Roscosmos and Mark Vande Hei of NASA and backup crewmembers Shannon Walker of NASA, Anton Shkaplerov of Roscosmos and Scott Tingle of NASA. Misurkin, Acaba and Vande Hei will launch Sept. 13 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan Sept. 13 on the Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft for a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Credit: NASA/Elizabeth Weissinger
jsc2017e114490 (Sept. 1, 2017) --- The Expedition 53-54 prime and backup crewmembers pose for pictures in front of the Tsar Bell at the Kremlin in Moscow Sept. 1 as part of their traditional pre-launch visit. From left to right are prime crewmembers Joe Acaba of NASA, Alexander Misurkin of Roscosmos and Mark Vande Hei of NASA and backup crewmembers Shannon Walker of NASA, Anton Shkaplerov of Roscosmos and Scott Tingle of NASA. Misurkin, Acaba and Vande Hei will launch Sept. 13 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan Sept. 13 on the Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft for a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Credit: NASA/Elizabeth Weissinger
jsc2017e115211 (Sept.. 8, 2017) --- At the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 53-54 crewmember Mark Vande Hei of NASA (right) plants a tree bearing his name Sept. 8 in a traditional pre-launch ceremony as crewmates Joe Acaba of NASA (left) and Alexander Misurkin of Roscosmos (center) pitch in to help. Acaba, Misurkin and Vande Hei will launch Sept. 13 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on the Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft for a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov
jsc2017e114748 (Sept. 6, 2017) --- Aboard the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center Aircraft en route from their training base to their launch site at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for final pre-launch training, Expedition 53-54 crewmembers Joe Acaba of NASA (left), Alexander Misurkin of Roscosmos (center) and Mark Vande Hei of NASA (right) pose for pictures Sept. 6. They will launch Sept. 13 on the Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome for a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov
jsc2017e115217 (Sept.. 8, 2017) --- In the town of Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 53-54 backup crewmembers Shannon Walker of NASA, Anton Shkaplerov of Roscosmos and Scott Tingle of NASA pay tribute after laying flowers at the statue of Russia’s great space designer Sergey Korolev in a traditional ceremony Sept. 8. They are serving as backups to the prime crewmembers, Joe Acaba of NASA, Alexander Misurkin of Roscosmos and Mark Vande Hei of NASA, who will launch on Sept. 13 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on the Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft for a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov
jsc2017e114479 (Sept. 1, 2017) --- At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 53-54 backup crewmember Anton Shkaplerov of Roscosmos (left) answers a reporter’s question during a news conference Sept. 1 while backup crewmates Shannon Walker (center) and Scott Tingle (right of NASA look on. They are serving as backups to the prime crew, Mark Vande Hei and Joe Acaba of NASA and Alexander Misurkin of Roscosmos, who will launch Sept. 13 on the Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on a five and a half month mission aboard the International Space Station. Credit: NASA/Elizabeth Weissinger
jsc2017e114493 (Sept. 1, 2017) --- NASA astronaut Scott Tingle lays flowers at the Kremlin Wall in Moscow where Russian space icons are interred as part of traditional pre-launch ceremonies Sept. 1. Tingle is a backup to the Expedition 53-54 prime crew of Joe Acaba and Mark Vande Hei of NASA and Alexander Misurkin of Roscosmos, who will launch Sept. 13 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan Sept. 13 on the Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft for a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Credit: NASA/Elizabeth Weissinger
jsc2017e114752 (Sept. 6, 2017) --- Expedition 53-54 backup crewmembers Scott Tingle of NASA (foreground), Anton Shkaplerov of Roscosmos (center), and Shannon Walker of NASA are greeted by local students after arriving at the launch site at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan Sept. 6 after a flight from their training base in Star City, Russia for final pre-launch training. They are serving as backups to the prime crew, Alexander Misurkin of Roscosmos and Joe Acaba and Mark Vande Hei of NASA, who will launch Sept. 13 on the Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome for a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov
jsc2017e115212 (Sept.. 8, 2017) --- At the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 53-54 crewmembers Joe Acaba of NASA (left), Alexander Misurkin of Roscosmos (center) and Mark Vande Hei of NASA (right) pose for pictures Sept. 8 after Vande Hei planted a tree bearing his name in a traditional pre-launch ceremony. Acaba, Misurkin and Vande Hei will launch Sept. 13 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on the Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft for a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov
jsc2017e114752 (Sept. 6, 2017) --- Expedition 53-54 backup crewmembers Anton Shkaplerov of Roscosmos (left), Shannon Walker of NASA (center) and Scott Tingle of NASA (right) arrive at the launch site at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan Sept. 6 after a flight from their training base in Star City, Russia for final pre-launch training. They are serving as backups to the prime crew, Alexander Misurkin of Roscosmos and Joe Acaba and Mark Vande Hei of NASA, who will launch Sept. 13 on the Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome for a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov
jsc2017e114484 (Sept. 1, 2017) --- Expedition 53-54 crewmembers Alexander Misurkin of Roscosmos (left) and Mark Vande Hei (center) and Joe Acaba of NASA (right) walk through Red Square in Moscow in front of St. Basil’s Cathedral Sept. 1 as they prepared to lay flowers at the Kremlin Wall where Russian space icons are interred in traditional pre-launch ceremonies. They will launch Sept. 13 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan Sept. 13 on the Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft for a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Credit: NASA/Elizabeth Weissinger
jsc2017e114483 (Sept. 1, 2017) --- At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, the Expedition 53-54 prime and backup crewmembers pose for pictures following a news conference Sept. 1. From left to right are the prime crewmembers, Joe Acaba of NASA, Alexander Misurkin of Roscosmos and Mark Vande Hei of NASA, and the backup crewmembers, Shannon Walker of NASA, Anton Shkaplerov of Roscosmos and Scott Tingle of NASA. Acaba, Misurkin and Vande Hei will launch Sept. 13 on the Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on a five and a half month mission aboard the International Space Station. Credit: NASA/Elizabeth Weissinger
jsc2017e115218 (Sept.. 8, 2017) --- At the Space Museum in the town of Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 53-54 backup crewmembers Scott Tingle of NASA (left), Shannon Walker of NASA (center) and Anton Shkaplerov of Roscosmos (right) receive a briefing on the layout of the Baikonur Cosmodrome from a museum guide in a traditional pre-launch activity Sept. 8. They are serving as backups to the prime crewmembers, Joe Acaba of NASA, Alexander Misurkin of Roscosmos and Mark Vande Hei of NASA, who will launch on Sept. 13 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on the Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft for a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov
jsc2017e115216 (Sept.. 8, 2017) --- In the town of Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 53-54 backup crewmembers Shannon Walker of NASA (left), Anton Shkaplerov of Roscosmos (center) and Scott Tingle of NASA (right) pose for photos Sept. 8 in front of a statue of Yuri Gagarin, the first human to fly in space. They are serving as backups to the prime crewmembers, Joe Acaba of NASA, Alexander Misurkin of Roscosmos and Mark Vande Hei of NASA, who will launch on Sept. 13 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on the Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft for a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov
jsc2017e115219 (Sept.. 8, 2017) --- At the Space Museum in the town of Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 53-54 backup crewmembers Anton Shkaplerov of Roscosmos (second from left), Shannon Walker of NASA (second from right) and Scott Tingle of NASA (right) receive a briefing on a mockup of a Soyuz rocket on its launch pad from a museum guide in a traditional pre-launch activity Sept. 8. They are serving as backups to the prime crewmembers, Joe Acaba of NASA, Alexander Misurkin of Roscosmos and Mark Vande Hei of NASA, who will launch on Sept. 13 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on the Soyuz MS-06 spacecraft for a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov