ISS033-E-016110 (25 Oct. 2012) --- Russian cosmonauts Evgeny Tarelkin (left) and Oleg Novitskiy (center); along with NASA astronaut Kevin Ford, all Expedition 33 flight engineers, are pictured in the Destiny laboratory of the International Space Station shortly after docking with the space station in their Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft.
ISS033-E-015399 (23 Oct. 2012) --- This view of Earth’s horizon, shows smoke trails from the launch of the Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft, was photographed by an Expedition 33 crew member on the International Space Station. The Soyuz, with Expedition 33 crew members Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy, Flight Engineer Kevin Ford of NASA, and Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin of Roscosmos onboard, launched at 4:51 p.m. Kazakhstan time (5:51 a.m. CDT) on Oct. 23, 2012, from Baikonur, Kazakhstan.
ISS033-E-015394 (23 Oct. 2012) --- This view of Earth’s horizon, shows smoke trails from the launch of the Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft, was photographed by an Expedition 33 crew member on the International Space Station. The Soyuz, with Expedition 33 crew members Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy, Flight Engineer Kevin Ford of NASA, and Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin of Roscosmos onboard, launched at 4:51 p.m. Kazakhstan time (5:51 a.m. CDT) on Oct. 23, 2012, from Baikonur, Kazakhstan.
ISS033-E-015386 (23 Oct. 2012) --- This view of Earth’s horizon, shows smoke trails from the launch of the Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft, was photographed by an Expedition 33 crew member on the International Space Station. The Soyuz, with Expedition 33 crew members Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy, Flight Engineer Kevin Ford of NASA, and Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin of Roscosmos onboard, launched at 4:51 p.m. Kazakhstan time (5:51 a.m. CDT) on Oct. 23, 2012, from Baikonur, Kazakhstan.
ISS033-E-016098 (25 Oct. 2012) --- In the Zvezda Service Module, Russian cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko, Expedition 33 flight engineer, monitors the rendezvous and docking of the Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft, bringing NASA astronaut Kevin Ford, Russian cosmonauts Oleg Novitskiy and Evgeny Tarelkin to the space station.
ISS034-E-066640 (11 March 2013) --- Russian cosmonauts Oleg Novitskiy (foreground), and Evgeny Tarelkin, both Expedition 34 flight engineers, participate in descent training in the Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft, which is docked to the International Space Station. Undocking and landing are scheduled for March 16, Kazakh time.
ISS034-E-066644 (11 March 2013) --- NASA astronaut Kevin Ford (left), Expedition 34 commander, and Russian cosmonaut Oleg Novitskiy, Expedition 34 flight engineer (partially visible at right foreground), participate in descent training in the Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft, which is docked to the International Space Station. Undocking and landing are scheduled for March 16, Kazakh time.
The Soyuz rocket with Expedition 33/34 crew members, Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy, Flight Engineer Kevin Ford of NASA, and Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin of ROSCOSMOS onboard the TMA-06M spacecraft launches to the International Space Station on Tuesday, October 23, 2012, in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Ford, Novitskiy and Tarelkin will be on a five-month mission aboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
The Soyuz rocket with Expedition 33/34 crew members, Russian Cosmonaut and Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy, NASA Astronaut and Flight Engineer Kevin Ford, and Russian Cosmonaut and Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin onboard the TMA-06M spacecraft launches to the International Space Station on Tuesday, October 23, 2012, in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Ford, Novitskiy and Tarelkin will be on a five-month mission aboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
The Soyuz rocket with Expedition 33/34 crew members, Russian Cosmonaut and Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy, NASA Astronaut and Flight Engineer Kevin Ford, and Russian Cosmonaut and Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin onboard the TMA-06M spacecraft launches to the International Space Station on Tuesday, October 23, 2012, in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Ford, Novitskiy and Tarelkin will be on a five-month mission aboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
The Soyuz rocket with Expedition 33/34 crew members, Russian Cosmonaut and Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy, NASA Astronaut and Flight Engineer Kevin Ford, and Russian Cosmonaut and Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin onboard the TMA-06M spacecraft launches to the International Space Station on Tuesday, October 23, 2012, in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Ford, Novitskiy and Tarelkin will be on a five-month mission aboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
The Soyuz rocket with Expedition 33/34 crew members, Russian Cosmonaut and Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy, NASA Astronaut and Flight Engineer Kevin Ford, and Russian Cosmonaut and Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin onboard the TMA-06M spacecraft launches to the International Space Station on Tuesday, October 23, 2012, in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Ford, Novitskiy and Tarelkin will be on a five-month mission aboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
The Soyuz rocket with Expedition 33/34 crew members, Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy, Flight Engineer Kevin Ford of NASA, and Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin of ROSCOSMOS onboard the TMA-06M spacecraft launches to the International Space Station on Tuesday, October 23, 2012, in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Ford, Novitskiy and Tarelkin will be on a five-month mission aboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
Guest gather over a mile away to witness the Soyuz rocket with Expedition 33/34 crew members, Russian Cosmonaut and Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy, NASA Astronaut and Flight Engineer Kevin Ford, and Russian Cosmonaut and Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin onboard their TMA-06M spacecraft launch to the International Space Station on Tuesday, October 23, 2012, in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Ford, Novitskiy and Tarelkin will be on a five-month mission aboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
The Soyuz rocket with Expedition 33/34 crew members, Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy, Flight Engineer Kevin Ford of NASA, and Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin of ROSCOSMOS onboard the TMA-06M spacecraft launches to the International Space Station on Tuesday, October 23, 2012, in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Ford, Novitskiy and Tarelkin will be on a five-month mission aboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
The Soyuz rocket with Expedition 33/34 crew members, Russian Cosmonaut and Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy, NASA Astronaut and Flight Engineer Kevin Ford, and Russian Cosmonaut and Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin onboard the TMA-06M spacecraft launches to the International Space Station on Tuesday, October 23, 2012, in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Ford, Novitskiy and Tarelkin will be on a five-month mission aboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
The Soyuz rocket with Expedition 33/34 crew members, Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy, Flight Engineer Kevin Ford of NASA, and Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin of ROSCOSMOS onboard the TMA-06M spacecraft launches to the International Space Station on Tuesday, October 23, 2012, in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Ford, Novitskiy and Tarelkin will be on a five-month mission aboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
The Soyuz rocket with Expedition 33/34 crew members, Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy, Flight Engineer Kevin Ford of NASA, and Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin of ROSCOSMOS onboard the TMA-06M spacecraft launches to the International Space Station on Tuesday, October 23, 2012, in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Ford, Novitskiy and Tarelkin will be on a five-month mission aboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
JSC2013-E-023950 (March 2013) --- This computer-generated artist's rendering of the International Space Station reflects its external appearance as of March 15, 2013. Soyuz 32 (TMA-06M) undocks from Poisk. SpaceX/Dragon-2 is berthed to Harmony nadir. Progress 50 is docked to Pirs. Soyuz 33 (TMA-07M) is docked to Rassvet. Progress 49 is docked to Zvezda aft. Photo credit: NASA
JSC2013-E-009915 (February 2013) --- This computer-generated artist?s rendering of the International Space Station reflects its external appearance as of Feb. 9, 2013. Progress 48 undocks from Pirs. Soyuz 33 (TMA-07M) is docked to Rassvet. Soyuz 32 (TMA-06M) is docked to Poisk. Progress 49 is docked to Zvezda aft. Photo credit: NASA
JSC2012-E-226839 (October 2012) --- Computer-generated artist?s rendering of the International Space Station as of Oct. 28, 2012. SpaceX Dragon CRS-1 is unberthed from the Harmony node nadir port. Soyuz 32 (TMA-06M) is docked to the Poisk Mini-Research Module 2 (MRM2). Progress 48 is linked to the Pirs Docking Compartment and Soyuz 31 (TMA-05M) is attached to the Rassvet Mini-Research Module 1 (MRM1). Photo credit: NASA
JSC2013-E-009916 (February 2013) --- This computer-generated artist?s rendering of the International Space Station reflects its external appearance as of Feb. 11, 2013. Progress 50 docks to Pirs. Soyuz 33 (TMA-07M) is docked to Rassvet. Soyuz 32 (TMA-06M) is docked to Poisk. Progress 49 is docked to Zvezda aft. Photo credit: NASA
JSC2012-E-226840 (October 2012) --- Computer-generated artist?s rendering of the International Space Station as of Oct. 31, 2012. Progress 49 resupply vehicle docks to the Zvezda Service Module aft port. Soyuz 32 (TMA-06M) is linked to the Poisk Mini-Research Module 2 (MRM2). Progress 48 is docked to the Pirs Docking Compartment and Soyuz 31 (TMA-05M) is attached to the Rassvet Mini-Research Module 1 (MRM1). Photo credit: NASA
At the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft is moved into position for insertion into the upper stage of its Soyuz booster rocket October 16, 2012. The Soyuz is being prepared for launch October 23 to the International Space Station with NASA Flight Engineer Kevin Ford, Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy and Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin for a five-month mission on the orbital laboratory. NASA/Victor Zelentsov
Expedition 33/34 NASA Astronaut and Flight Engineer Kevin Ford is escorted to the Soyuz rocket by Russian Space Agency Officials, prior to his launch onboard a Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft with fellow crew members, Russian Cosmonaut and Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy, and, Russian Cosmonaut and Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin, Tuesday, October 23, 2012, in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket will send Ford, Novitskiy and Tarelkin on a five-month mission aboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
With the Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft safely installed inside, the upper stage of its Soyuz booster rocket rests in the vertical position in the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan October 16, 2012. The Soyuz is being prepared for launch October 23 to the International Space Station with NASA Flight Engineer Kevin Ford, Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy and Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin for a five-month mission on the orbital laboratory. NASA/Victor Zelentsov
At the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft is inserted into the upper stage of its Soyuz booster rocket October 16, 2012. The Soyuz is being prepared for launch October 23 to the International Space Station with NASA Flight Engineer Kevin Ford, Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy and Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin for a five-month mission on the orbital laboratory. NASA/Victor Zelentsov
With the Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft safely installed inside, the upper stage of its Soyuz booster rocket is rotated to the vertical position in the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan October 16, 2012. The Soyuz is being prepared for launch October 23 to the International Space Station with NASA Flight Engineer Kevin Ford, Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy and Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin for a five-month mission on the orbital laboratory. NASA/Victor Zelentsov
Expedition 33/34 Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy has his Russian Sokol suit pressure checked ahead of his launch onboard a Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft to the International Space Station with fellow cremates, Flight Engineer Kevin Ford, and Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin, on Tuesday, October 23, 2012, in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket will send Ford, Novitskiy and Tarelkin on a five-month mission aboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)
Expedition 33/34 Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy has his Russian Sokol suit pressure checked ahead of his launch onboard a Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft to the International Space Station with fellow cremates, Flight Engineer Kevin Ford, and Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin, on Tuesday, October 23, 2012, in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket will send Ford, Novitskiy and Tarelkin on a five-month mission aboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)
Expedition 33/34 Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin has his Russian Sokol suit pressure checked ahead of his launch onboard a Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft to the International Space Station with fellow cremates, Flight Engineer Kevin Ford, and Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy, on Tuesday, October 23, 2012, in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket will send Ford, Novitskiy and Tarelkin on a five-month mission aboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)
Expedition 33/34 Flight Engineer Kevin Ford has his Russian Sokol suit pressure checked ahead of his launch onboard a Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft to the International Space Station with fellow cremates, Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin, and Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy, on Tuesday, October 23, 2012, in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket will send Ford, Novitskiy and Tarelkin on a five-month mission aboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)
Expedition 33/34 Flight Engineer Kevin Ford has his Russian Sokol suit pressure checked ahead of his launch onboard a Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft to the International Space Station with fellow cremates, Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin, and Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy, on Tuesday, October 23, 2012, in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket will send Ford, Novitskiy and Tarelkin on a five-month mission aboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)
The Expedition 33/34 crew arrives at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan October 9, 2012 after a flight from their training base in Star City, Russia for final training leading to their launch October 23 to the International Space Station in their Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft. From top to bottom are NASA Flight Engineer Kevin Ford, Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin and Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy. The trio will spend five months on the orbital laboratory, returning to Earth in March 2013. NASA/Victor Zelentsov
Expedition 34 Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin rests in a reclining chair March 16 after he, Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy and Expedition 34 commander Kevin Ford of NASA landed in their Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft northeast of Arkalyk, Kazakhstan. The three crewmembers returned to Earth after a one-day delay due to inclement weather in the area to wrap up 144 days in space and 142 days aboard the International Space Station. Courtesy of Sergey Vigovskiy
Taking time out from training, Expedition 33/34 Flight Engineer Kevin Ford of NASA (left) and backup Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin (right) play a game of chess at their Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan October 17, 2012. Ford, Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy and Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin are preparing for launch October 23 in their Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft to spend five months on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov
At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the Expedition 33/34 crew posed for pictures October 10, 2012 in front of their Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft during the first of two “fit check” dress rehearsal sessions. NASA Flight Engineer Kevin Ford (left), Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy (center) and Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin (right) are in the final phase of their training for launch October 23 for a five-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov
At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 33/34 prime crewmembers Flight Engineer Kevin Ford of NASA (left), Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy (center) and Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin (right) check in for the first of two days of final qualifications exams September 20, 2012 as they prepare for their launch October 23 in the Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Stephanie Stoll/NASA
At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 33/34 Flight Engineer Kevin Ford of NASA undergoes a pressure and leak check of his Russian Sokol launch and entry suit in the Site 254 Integration Facility October 10, 2012 during the first of two “fit check” dress rehearsal sessions. Ford, Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy and Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin are in the final phase of their training for launch October 23 in their Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft for a five-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov
At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 33/34 prime crewmembers Flight Engineer Kevin Ford of NASA (left), Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy (center) and Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin (right) report for their second day of final qualification exams September 21, 2012. The exams will lead to their launch October 23 in the Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a five-month stay on the International Space Station. Photo Credit: Stephanie Stoll/NASA
Cars carrying Expedition 34 Commander Kevin Ford of NASA, Russian Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy and Russian Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin pull up to the terminal at the Kustanay Airport a few hours after the crew landed their Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft near the town of Arkalyk, Kazakhstan 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)
Expedition 33/34 Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy plants a flower at the Kremlin Wall in Moscow where Russian space icons are interred September 25, 2012 as he, Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin (left) and NASA Flight Engineer Kevin Ford (hidden behind Tarelkin) participated in traditional ceremonies leading to their launch to the International Space Station October 23 in the Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a five-month mission. NASA/Stephanie Stoll
Taking time out from training, Expedition 33/34 Flight Engineer Kevin Ford of NASA works out on a treadmill at the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan October 17, 2012 under the watchful eye of backup Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy of NASA. Ford, Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy and Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin are preparing for launch October 23 in their Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft to spend five months on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov
With St. Basil’s Cathedral providing a scenic backdrop, Expedition 33/34 Flight Engineer Kevin Ford of NASA (left), Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy (center) and Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin (right) pose for pictures September 25, 2012 at the Kremlin Wall in Moscow as they participated in traditional ceremonies leading to their launch to the International Space Station October 23 in the Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a five-month mission. NASA/Stephanie Stoll
Bundled up against the cold, Expedition 34 Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy is carried to a nearby helicopter March 16 to be flown to Kustanai, Kazakhstan after he, Expedition 34 Commander Kevin Ford of NASA landed in their Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft northeast of Arkalyk, Kazakhstan. The three crewmembers returned to Earth after a one-day delay due to inclement weather in the area to wrap up 144 days in space and 142 days aboard the International Space Station. Courtesy of Sergey Vigovskiy
Fulfilling a long-standing pre-launch tradition, Expedition 33/34 Flight Engineer Kevin Ford of NASA (right) plants a tree in his name behind the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan October 17, 2012. Ford, Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin (left) and Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy(center) are preparing for launch October 23 in their Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft to spend five months on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov
All smiles, Expedition 33/34 Flight Engineer Kevin Ford of NASA climbs the ladder to the Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft in the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan October 18, 2012 during the completion of the final “fit check” dress rehearsal prior to his launch. Ford, Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy and Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin will be launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome October 23 for a five-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov
Bundled up against the cold, Expedition 34 Commander Kevin Ford of NASA is carried to a nearby helicopter March 16 to be flown to Kustanai, Kazakhstan after he, Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy and Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin landed in their Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft northeast of Arkalyk, Kazakhstan. The three crewmembers returned to Earth after a one-day delay due to inclement weather in the area to wrap up 144 days in space and 142 days aboard the International Space Station. Courtesy of Sergey Vigovskiy
At the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 33/34 Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy (center) practices docking techniques on a laptop computer simulator as Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center instructors look on October 17, 2012. Joining Novitskiy are Flight Engineer Kevin Ford of NASA (left) and Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin (right) as they prepare for launch October 23 to the International Space Station in their Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft. The trio will spend five months on the orbital laboratory. NASA/Victor Zelentsov
The prime Expedition 33/34 crewmembers pose for pictures in front of the statue of Vladimir Lenin at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia October 9, 2012 before flying to the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for final preparations for their launch to the International Space Station October 23 in their Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft. Pictured are NASA Flight Engineer Kevin Ford (left), Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy (center) and Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin (right). NASA/Stephanie Stoll
Expedition 33/34 Flight Engineer Kevin Ford of NASA (left), Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy (center) and Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin (right) pose for pictures in front of a model of Sputnik 1, the world’s first artificial satellite, in the Korolev Museum at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan October 18, 2012. The trio completed a final “fit check” dress rehearsal, preparing for launch October 23 in their Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft from the Cosmodrome for a five-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov
In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the Expedition 33/34 prime crew poses for pictures at the hatchway of their Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft at the completion of their final pre-launch “fit check” dress rehearsal October 18, 2012. Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin (left), Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy (center) and NASA Flight Engineer Kevin Ford (right) will launch October 23 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome for a five-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov
At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 33/34 crewmembers Flight Engineer Kevin Ford of NASA, Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy and Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin clasp hands at the completion of a crew news conference September 25, 2012 as they head into the homestretch of their training for launch October 23 to the International Space Station from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on their Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft. The trio will spend five months on the orbital outpost. NASA/Stephanie Stoll
At their Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 33/34 Flight Engineer Kevin Ford of NASA (left), Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy (center) and Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin (right) review docking procedures with their Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center instructors October 17, 2012 as they prepare for launch October 23 to the International Space Station in their Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft. The trio will spend five months on the orbital laboratory. NASA/Victor Zelentsov
Taking time out from training, Expedition 33/34 Flight Engineer Kevin Ford of NASA plays a game of badminton at the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan October 17, 2012. Ford, Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy and Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin are preparing for launch October 23 in their Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft to spend five months on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov
Fulfilling a long-standing pre-launch tradition, Expedition 33/34 Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin (left), Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy (center) and Flight Engineer Kevin Ford of NASA (right) stand by trees they planted in their names behind the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan October 17, 2012. The trio are preparing for launch October 23 in their Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft to spend five months on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov
Bundled up against the cold, Expedition 34 Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin is carried to a nearby helicopter March 16 to be flown to Kustanai, Kazakhstan after he, Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy and Expedition 34 Commander Kevin Ford of NASA landed in their Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft northeast of Arkalyk, Kazakhstan. The three crewmembers returned to Earth after a one-day delay due to inclement weather in the area to wrap up 144 days in space and 142 days aboard the International Space Station. Courtesy of Sergey Vigovskiy
Expedition 34 Commander Kevin Ford of NASA rests in a reclining chair March 16 after he, Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy and Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin landed in their Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft northeast of Arkalyk, Kazakhstan. The three crewmembers returned to Earth after a one-day delay due to inclement weather in the area to wrap up 144 days in space and 142 days aboard the International Space Station. Courtesy of Sergey Vigovskiy
Expedition 34 Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin of Russia is helped out a Russian Search and Rescue helicopter after flying from his Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft landing site outside the town of Arkalyk to Kustanay, Kazakhstan on Saturday, March 16, 2013. Tarelkin, along with Commander Kevin Ford of NASA and Russian Soyuz Commander Oleg 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)
Expedition 34 Commander Kevin Ford of NASA is helped out a Russian Search and Rescue helicopter after flying from his Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft landing site outside the town of Arkalyk to Kustanay, Kazakhstan on Saturday, March 16, 2013. Ford, along with Russian Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy and Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin of Russia 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)
With their Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft sitting upright behind them, Expedition 34 Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin (left), Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy (center) and Expedition Commander Kevin Ford of NASA (right) rest in reclining chairs following their landing March 16 northeast of Arkalyk, Kazakhstan. The three crewmembers returned to Earth after a one-day delay due to inclement weather in the area to wrap up 144 days in space and 142 days aboard the International Space Station. Courtesy of Sergey Vigovskiy
JSC2012-E-231604 (November 2012) --- Computer-generated artist?s rendering of the International Space Station as of Nov. 1, 2012. A Photovoltaic Radiator (PVR) is deployed on the ISS P6 truss during U.S. spacewalk 20. Progress 49 resupply vehicle is docked to the Zvezda Service Module aft port. Soyuz 32 (TMA-06M) is linked to the Poisk Mini-Research Module 2 (MRM2). Progress 48 is docked to the Pirs Docking Compartment and Soyuz 31 (TMA-05M) is attached to the Rassvet Mini-Research Module 1 (MRM1). Photo credit: NASA
JSC2012-E-238066 (November 2012) --- Computer-generated artist?s rendering of the International Space Station as of Nov. 18, 2012. Soyuz 31 (TMA-05M) undocks from the Rassvet Mini-Research Module 1 (MRM1), returning Expedition 33 crew members (Sunita Williams, Aki Hoshide and Yuri Malenchenko) to Earth. Progress 49 resupply vehicle is docked to the Zvezda Service Module aft port. Soyuz 32 (TMA-06M) is linked to the Poisk Mini-Research Module 2 (MRM2). Progress 48 is attached to the Pirs Docking Compartment. Photo credit: NASA
JSC2012-E-244742 (December 2012) --- Computer-generated artist?s rendering of the International Space Station as of Dec. 21, 2012. Soyuz 33 (TMA-07M) docks to the Rassvet Mini-Research Module 1 (MRM1), bringing Expedition 34 crew members (Chris Hadfield, Tom Marshburn and Roman Romanenko) to the space station. Progress 49 resupply vehicle is docked to the Zvezda Service Module aft port. Soyuz 32 (TMA-06M) is linked to the Poisk Mini-Research Module 2 (MRM2). Progress 48 is attached to the Pirs Docking Compartment. Photo credit: NASA
JSC2012-E-226838 (October 2012) --- Computer-generated artist?s rendering of the International Space Station as of Oct. 25, 2012. Soyuz 32 (TMA-06M) docks to the Poisk Mini-Research Module 2 (MRM2), bringing Expedition 33 crew members (Ford, Novitskiy, Tarelkin) to the space station. SpaceX Dragon CRS-1 is attached to the Harmony node nadir port. Progress 48 is docked to the Pirs Docking Compartment and Soyuz 31 (TMA-05M) is linked to the Rassvet Mini-Research Module 1 (MRM1). Photo credit: NASA
Expedition 33/34 Russian Cosmonaut and Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin is escorted to the Soyuz rocket by Roscosmos Director of Human Space Flight Program Department Alexei Krasnov, left, and General Director of the Russian Federal Space Agency, ROSCOSMOS, Vladimir Popovkin, prior to his launch onboard a Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft with fellow crew members, NASA Astronaut and Flight Engineer Kevin Ford, and, Russian Cosmonaut and Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy, Tuesday, October 23, 2012, in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket will send Ford, Novitskiy and Tarelkin on a five-month mission aboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)
Expedition 33/34 Russian Cosmonaut and Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy is escorted to the Soyuz rocket by President of the S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia Vitaly Lopota, prior to his launch onboard a Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft with fellow crew members, NASA Astronaut and Flight Engineer Kevin Ford, and, Russian Cosmonaut and Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin, Tuesday, October 23, 2012, in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket will send Ford, Novitskiy and Tarelkin on a five-month mission aboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
Expedition 33/34 crew members, NASA Astronaut and Flight Engineer Kevin Ford, left, Russian Cosmonaut and Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy, and Russian Cosmonaut and Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin, right, walk out of building 254 of the Baikonur Cosmodrome to board a bus that will take them to launch site 31 for their launch onboard a Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft to the International Space Station, Tuesday, October 23, 2012, in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket will send Ford, Novitskiy and Tarelkin on a five-month mission aboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)
Russian “Rosaviatsa” Search and Recovery Forces all-terrain vehicles and a helicopter stand beside the Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft March 16 just hours after Expedition 34 Commander Kevin Ford of NASA, Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy and Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin safely landed northeast of Arkalyk, Kazakhstan following a one-day delay due to inclement weather in the area. The three crewmembers were quickly extracted from the Soyuz after landing and were flown in helicopters to Kustanai, Kazakhstan en route to their respective homes in Houston and Star City, Russia following 144 days in space and 142 days aboard the International Space Station. Courtesy of Sergey Vigovskiy
Expedition 33/34 crew members, Russian Cosmonaut and Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy, left, Russian Cosmonaut and Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin, and NASA Astronaut and Flight Engineer Kevin Ford, talk to family members through glass from the room where they just had their Russian Sokol suits pressure checked ahead of their launch onboard a Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft to the International Space Station, Tuesday, October 23, 2012, in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket will send Ford, Novitskiy and Tarelkin on a five-month mission aboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)
Family and friends of Expedition 33/34 crew member, Russian Cosmonaut and Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy, cheer as the bus with he and fellow crew mates, NASA Astronaut and Flight Engineer Kevin Ford, and Russian Cosmonaut and Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin, heads to launch site 31 for their launch onboard a Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft to the International Space Station, Tuesday, October 23, 2012, in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket will send Ford, Novitskiy and Tarelkin on a five-month mission aboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)
At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the Expedition 33/34 crew posed for pictures October 10, 2012 next to the upper stage of the Soyuz rocket that will boost them and their Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft to orbit October 23 to begin a five-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA Flight Engineer Kevin Ford (left), Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy (center) and Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin (right) took a break in the first of two so-called “fit check” dress rehearsal sessions as they entered the final phase of their training for launch. NASA/Victor Zelentsov
Expedition 33/34 crew members, NASA Astronaut and Flight Engineer Kevin Ford, left, Russian Cosmonaut and Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy, and Russian Cosmonaut and Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin, right, talk with colleagues shortly after having had their Russian Sokol suits pressure checked ahead of their launch onboard a Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft to the International Space Station, Tuesday, October 23, 2012, in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket will send Ford, Novitskiy and Tarelkin on a five-month mission aboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)
Expedition 33/34 crew members, NASA Astronaut and Flight Engineer Kevin Ford, left, Russian Cosmonaut and Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy, and Russian Cosmonaut and Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin, far right, talk to family members through glass from the room where they just had their Russian Sokol suits pressure checked ahead of their launch onboard a Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft to the International Space Station, Tuesday, October 23, 2012, in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket will send Ford, Novitskiy and Tarelkin on a five-month mission aboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)
The Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft lies passively on its side March 16 after bringing home Expedition 34 Commander Kevin Ford of NASA, Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy and Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin to a landing northeast of Arkalyk, Kazakhstan following a one-day delay due to inclement weather in the area. The Soyuz initially landed upright before being tilted on its side for servicing after touching down to wrap up 144 days in space and 142 days for Ford, Novitskiy and Tarelkin at the International Space Station. The three crewmembers were flown by helicopter to Kustanai, Kazakhstan en route to their homes in Houston and Star City, Russia. Courtesy of Sergey Vigovskiy
The prime and backup Expedition 33/34 crewmembers pose for pictures in front of the statue of Vladimir Lenin at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia October 9, 2012 before the prime crew flew to the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for final preparations for their launch to the International Space Station October 23 in their Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft. Pictured from left to right are backup Flight Engineer Alexander Misurkin, backup Soyuz Commander Pavel Vinogradov, backup NASA Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy, prime NASA Flight Engineer Kevin Ford, prime Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy and prime Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin. NASA/Stephanie Stoll
Expedition 33/34 crew member, NASA Astronaut and Flight Engineer Kevin Ford, looks out at family and friends as the bus with he and fellow crew mates, Russian Cosmonaut and Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy, and Russian Cosmonaut and Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin, head to launch site 31 for their launch onboard a Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft to the International Space Station, Tuesday, October 23, 2012, in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket will send Ford, Novitskiy and Tarelkin on a five-month mission aboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)
The bus convoy carrying Expedition 33/34 crew members, Russian Cosmonaut and Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy, NASA Astronaut and Flight Engineer Kevin Ford, and Russian Cosmonaut and Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin, heads to launch site 31 for the crews launch onboard a Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft to the International Space Station, Tuesday, October 23, 2012, in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket will send Ford, Novitskiy and Tarelkin on a five-month mission aboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Victor Zelentsov)
Expedition 33 backup crew member, NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy, shakes hands with Expedition 33/34 Flight Engineer Kevin Ford onboard the crew bus, before Ford and fellow crew mates, Russian Cosmonaut and Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy, and Russian Cosmonaut and Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin, launch onboard a Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft to the International Space Station, Tuesday, October 23, 2012, in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket will send Ford, Novitskiy and Tarelkin on a five-month mission aboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)
At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 33/34 prime crewmembers Flight Engineer Kevin Ford of NASA (left), Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy (center) and Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin (right) answer questions from reporters in front of a Soyuz vehicle mockup during the second day of final qualification exams September 21, 2012. The exams will lead to their launch October 23 in the Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a five-month stay on the International Space Station.Photo Credit: Stephanie Stoll/NASA
ISS033-E-016602 (24 Oct. 2012) --- In the International Space Station’s Kibo laboratory, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Aki Hoshide, Expedition 33 flight engineer, works on the Multipurpose Small Payload Rack (MSPR) in preparation for the arrival of the JAXA Medaka Osteoclast (MOST) payload which will arrive on the Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft on Oct. 25.
ISS033-E-016668 (25 Oct. 2012) --- Russian cosmonaut Oleg Novitskiy, Expedition 33 flight engineer, waves as he prepares to ingress the International Space Station’s Poisk Mini-Research Module 2 (MRM2) along with NASA astronaut Kevin Ford and Russian cosmonaut Evgeny Tarelkin (both out of frame). The Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft carrying the three new Expedition 33 crew members docked at 8:29 a.m. (EDT) on Oct. 25, 2012.
ISS033-E-016177 (25 Oct. 2012) --- Expedition 33 crew members are pictured in the Destiny laboratory of the International Space Station. Pictured clockwise (from top right) are NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, commander; Russian cosmonauts Evgeny Tarelkin, Yuri Malenchenko and Oleg Novitskiy; along with NASA astronaut Kevin Ford, all flight engineers. This photo was taken shortly after Ford, Novitskiy and Tarelkin docked with the space station in their Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft.
ISS033-E-016167 (25 Oct. 2012) --- Expedition 33 crew members are pictured in the Unity node of the International Space Station. Pictured clockwise (from bottom right) are NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, commander; Russian cosmonauts Yuri Malenchenko, Oleg Novitskiy and Evgeny Tarelkin, and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Aki Hoshide, all flight engineers. This photo was taken shortly after NASA astronaut Kevin Ford (out of frame), Novitskiy and Tarelkin docked with the space station in their Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft.
Expedition 34 Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin stands beside his Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft after being extracted from the vehicle March 16 following his landing with crewmates Oleg Novitskiy and Kevin Ford of NASA northeast of Arkalyk, Kazakhstan. The three crewmembers returned to Earth after a one-day delay due to inclement weather in the area to wrap up 144 days in space and 142 days aboard the International Space Station. Courtesy of Sergey Vigovskiy
Expedition 33/34 Flight Engineer Kevin Ford of NASA strikes a thoughtful pose as he listens to questions from reporters September 21, 2012 during final qualification training exams at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia. Ford and his crewmates, Russian cosmonauts Oleg Novitskiy and Evgeny Tarelkin, are scheduled to launch in their Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft on October 23 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a five-month mission on the International Space Station.Photo Credit: Stephanie Stoll/NASA
ISS033-E-016607 (24 Oct. 2012) --- In the International Space Station’s Kibo laboratory, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Aki Hoshide, Expedition 33 flight engineer, works on the Multipurpose Small Payload Rack (MSPR) in preparation for the arrival of the JAXA Medaka Osteoclast (MOST) payload which will arrive on the Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft on Oct. 25.
ISS033-E-016667 (25 Oct. 2012) --- Russian cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko, Expedition 33 flight engineer, opens the hatch between the International Space Station and the Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft as the three new Expedition 33 crew members prepare to ingress the station. Docking occurred at 8:29 a.m. (EDT) at the station’s Poisk Mini-Research Module 2 (MRM2).
At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 33/34 prime crewmembers Kevin Ford of NASA (left), Evgeny Tarelkin (center) and Oleg Novitskiy (right) clasp hands as they begin the first of two days of final qualification exams September 20, 2012. Ford, Novitskiy and Tarelkin are preparing for their launch October 23 in the Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Stephanie Stoll/NASA
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)
A Search and Rescue helicopter is seen grounded by low visibility at the Arkalyk Airport in Kazakhstan on Saturday, March 16, 2013. The Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft landed with Expedition 34 Commander Kevin Ford of NASA, Russian Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy and Russian Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin near the town of Arkalyk, Kazakhstan 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)
Search and Rescue helicopters are seen grounded by low visibility at the Arkalyk Airport in Kazakhstan on Saturday, March 16, 2013. The Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft landed with Expedition 34 Commander Kevin Ford of NASA, Russian Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy and Russian Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin near the town of Arkalyk, Kazakhstan 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)
A helicopter crew member waits for weather to clear outside his Search and Rescue helicopter that was grounded by low visibility at the Arkalyk Airport in Kazakhstan on Saturday, March 16, 2013. The Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft landed with Expedition 34 Commander Kevin Ford of NASA, Russian Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy and Russian Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin near the town of Arkalyk, Kazakhstan 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)
Expedition 34 Commander Kevin Ford of NASA walks from a Russian Search and Rescue helicopter with NASA flight doctors, David Alexander, left, and Blake Chamberlain after flying from his Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft landing site outside the town of Arkalyk to Kustanay, Kazakhstan on Saturday, March 16, 2013. Ford, along with Russian Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy and Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin of Russia 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)
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)
A Russian helicopter commander waits inside his Search and Rescue helicopter that was grounded by low visibility at the Arkalyk Airport in Kazakhstan on Saturday, March 16, 2013. The Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft landed with Expedition 34 Commander Kevin Ford of NASA, Russian Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy and Russian Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin near the town of Arkalyk, Kazakhstan 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)
NASA Astronauts Eric Boe, left, and Bob Behnken are seen making contact with other team members outside a Search and Rescue helicopter that was grounded by low visibility at the Arkalyk Airport in Kazakhstan on Saturday, March 16, 2013. The Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft landed with Expedition 34 Commander Kevin Ford of NASA, Russian Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy and Russian Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin near the town of Arkalyk, Kazakhstan 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)
With St. Basil’s Cathedral serving as a scenic backdrop, Expedition 33/34 Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin (left), Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy (center) and NASA Flight Engineer Kevin Ford (right) walk through Red Square in Moscow September 25, 2012 to participate in traditional ceremonies and the laying of flowers at the Kremlin Wall where Russian space icons are interred. The trio are scheduled to launch October 23 to the International Space Station from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on their Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft for a five-month mission. NASA/Stephanie Stoll
At Yuri Gagarin’s museum at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 33/34 Flight Engineer Kevin Ford of NASA signs a commemorative book September 25, 2012 as one of his crewmates, Flight Engineer Evgeny Tarelkin (right), and backup crewmembers Alexander Misurkin, Pavel Vinogradov and Chris Cassidy of NASA (left to right in the rear) look on. Ford, Tarelkin and Soyuz Commander Oleg Novitskiy are the homestretch of their training for launch October 23 to the International Space Station from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on their Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft. The trio will spend five months on the orbital outpost. NASA/Stephanie Stoll
Russian engineers and instructors monitor their consoles as overhead television screens show the Expedition 33/34 prime crewmembers conducting final qualification exams September 21, 2012 in a Soyuz vehicle mockup at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia. The crewmembers, Kevin Ford of NASA and Russian cosmonauts Oleg Novitskiy and Evgeny Tarelkin, were in the final stages of training for their scheduled launch October 23 in the Soyuz TMA-06M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a five-month mission on the International Space Station.Photo Credit: Stephanie Stoll/NASA