View of the Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft docked to Rassvet Mini-Research Module 1 (MRM1) An Earth limb is in view.
View of the Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft as it approaches the ISS for rendezvous and docking. Image was released by astronaut on Instagram.
The gantry arms close around the Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft to secure the rocket at the launch pad on Friday, Nov. 21, 2014 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket is scheduled for Nov. 24 and will carry Expedition 42 Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), Flight Engineer Terry Virts of NASA , and Flight Engineer Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency into orbit to begin their five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)
The Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft is rolled out to the launch pad by train on Friday, Nov. 21, 2014 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket is scheduled for Nov. 24 and will carry Expedition 42 Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), Flight Engineer Terry Virts of NASA , and Flight Engineer Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency into orbit to begin their five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)
The Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft is rolled out to the launch pad by train on Friday, Nov. 21, 2014 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket is scheduled for Nov. 24 and will carry Expedition 42 Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), Flight Engineer Terry Virts of NASA , and Flight Engineer Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency into orbit to begin their five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)
The Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft is seen after being raised into a vertical position on the launch pad on Friday, Nov. 21, 2014 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket is scheduled for Nov. 24 and will carry Expedition 42 Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), Flight Engineer Terry Virts of NASA , and Flight Engineer Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency into orbit to begin their five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)
The Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft is raised into position on the launch pad Friday, Nov. 21, 2014 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket is scheduled for Nov. 24 and will carry Expedition 42 Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), Flight Engineer Terry Virts of NASA , and Flight Engineer Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency into orbit to begin their five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)
The Soyuz rocket is prepared to be rolled out by train to the launch pad on Friday, Nov. 21, 2014 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft, scheduled to launch Nov. 24, will carry Expedition 42 Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), Flight Engineer Terry Virts of NASA , and Flight Engineer Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency into orbit to begin their five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)
The Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft is seen after being raised into a vertical position on the launch pad on Friday, Nov. 21, 2014 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket is scheduled for Nov. 24 and will carry Expedition 42 Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), Flight Engineer Terry Virts of NASA , and Flight Engineer Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency into orbit to begin their five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)
The Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft is raised into position on the launch pad Friday, Nov. 21, 2014 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket is scheduled for Nov. 24 and will carry Expedition 42 Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), Flight Engineer Terry Virts of NASA , and Flight Engineer Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency into orbit to begin their five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)
The Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft is rolled out to the launch pad by train on Friday, Nov. 21, 2014 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket is scheduled for Nov. 24 and will carry Expedition 42 Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), Flight Engineer Terry Virts of NASA , and Flight Engineer Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency into orbit to begin their five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)
The Soyuz rocket is prepared to be rolled out by train to the launch pad on Friday, Nov. 21, 2014 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft, scheduled to launch Nov. 24, will carry Expedition 42 Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), Flight Engineer Terry Virts of NASA , and Flight Engineer Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency into orbit to begin their five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)
The Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft is rolled out to the launch pad by train on Friday, Nov. 21, 2014 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket is scheduled for Nov. 24 and will carry Expedition 42 Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), Flight Engineer Terry Virts of NASA , and Flight Engineer Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency into orbit to begin their five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)
The Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft is rolled out to the launch pad by train on Friday, Nov. 21, 2014 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket is scheduled for Nov. 24 and will carry Expedition 42 Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), Flight Engineer Terry Virts of NASA , and Flight Engineer Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency into orbit to begin their five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)
Workers prepare to raise the Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft into the vertical position on Friday, Nov. 21, 2014 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket is scheduled for Nov. 24 and will carry Expedition 42 Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), Flight Engineer Terry Virts of NASA, and Flight Engineer Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency into orbit to begin their five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)
The Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft is seen shortly after arriving at the launch pad by train on Friday, Nov. 21, 2014, at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket is scheduled for Nov. 24 and will carry Expedition 42 Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), Flight Engineer Terry Virts of NASA , and Flight Engineer Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency into orbit to begin their five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)
The Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft is rolled out to the launch pad by train on Friday, Nov. 21, 2014 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket is scheduled for Nov. 24 and will carry Expedition 42 Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), Flight Engineer Terry Virts of NASA , and Flight Engineer Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency into orbit to begin their five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)
The gantry arms close around the Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft to secure the rocket at the launch pad on Friday, Nov. 21, 2014 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket is scheduled for Nov. 24 and will carry Expedition 42 Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), Flight Engineer Terry Virts of NASA , and Flight Engineer Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency into orbit to begin their five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)
The Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft is seen after being raised into a vertical position on the launch pad on Friday, Nov. 21, 2014 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket is scheduled for Nov. 24 and will carry Expedition 42 Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), Flight Engineer Terry Virts of NASA , and Flight Engineer Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency into orbit to begin their five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)
The Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft is rolled out to the launch pad by train on Friday, Nov. 21, 2014 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket is scheduled for Nov. 24 and will carry Expedition 42 Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), Flight Engineer Terry Virts of NASA , and Flight Engineer Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency into orbit to begin their five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)
The Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft is rolled out to the launch pad by train on Friday, Nov. 21, 2014 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket is scheduled for Nov. 24 and will carry Expedition 42 Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), Flight Engineer Terry Virts of NASA , and Flight Engineer Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency into orbit to begin their five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)
The Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft is rolled out to the launch pad by train on Friday, Nov. 21, 2014 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket is scheduled for Nov. 24 and will carry Expedition 42 Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), Flight Engineer Terry Virts of NASA , and Flight Engineer Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency into orbit to begin their five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)
The Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft is seen after the gantry arms closed to secure the rocket on the launch pad on Friday, Nov. 21, 2014 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket is scheduled for Nov. 24 and will carry Expedition 42 Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), Flight Engineer Terry Virts of NASA , and Flight Engineer Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency into orbit to begin their five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)
The Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft is rolled out to the launch pad by train on Friday, Nov. 21, 2014 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket is scheduled for Nov. 24 and will carry Expedition 42 Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), Flight Engineer Terry Virts of NASA , and Flight Engineer Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency into orbit to begin their five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)
The Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft is rolled out to the launch pad by train on Friday, Nov. 21, 2014 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket is scheduled for Nov. 24 and will carry Expedition 42 Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), Flight Engineer Terry Virts of NASA , and Flight Engineer Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency into orbit to begin their five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)
The Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft is rolled out to the launch pad by train on Friday, Nov. 21, 2014 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket is scheduled for Nov. 24 and will carry Expedition 42 Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), Flight Engineer Terry Virts of NASA , and Flight Engineer Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency into orbit to begin their five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)
The Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft is seen shortly after arriving at the launch pad by train on Friday, Nov. 21, 2014, at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket is scheduled for Nov. 24 and will carry Expedition 42 Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), Flight Engineer Terry Virts of NASA , and Flight Engineer Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency into orbit to begin their five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)
The Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft is seen after being raised into a vertical position on the launch pad on Friday, Nov. 21, 2014 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket is scheduled for Nov. 24 and will carry Expedition 42 Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), Flight Engineer Terry Virts of NASA , and Flight Engineer Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency into orbit to begin their five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)
Nighttime view of the launch of the Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft as seen by Expedition 42 crewmembers aboard the ISS. Image was released by astronaut on Instagram.
View of the Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft docked to Rassvet Mini-Research Module 1 (MRM1) and the Progress 57P spacecraft docked to Pirs Docking Compartment (DC1). Portions of the Leonardo Permanent Multipurpose Module (PMM), aft ISS, and an Earth limb are in view. Image was released by astronaut on Twitter.
The Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft is seen on the launch pad just prior to launch on Monday, Nov. 24, 2014 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket is scheduled for the early hours of Nov. 24 and will carry Expedition 42 Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), Flight Engineer Terry Virts of NASA , and Flight Engineer Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency into orbit to begin their five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)
6019: At the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 42/43 crewmember Terry Virts of NASA tries his hand at darts Nov. 18 as he prepares for launch Nov. 24, Kazakh time, on the Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. Virts and his crewmates, Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency will spend 5 ½ months on the International Space Station. NASA/Sergei Fyodorov
5939: At the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 42/43 crewmember Terry Virts of NASA (left) tries his hand at billiards Nov. 18 as his Soyuz Commander, Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, right) looks on. Virts, Shkaplerov and Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency are preparing to launch Nov. 24, Kazakh time, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in their Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Sergei Fyodorov
5347: In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 42/43 crewmembers Terry Virts of NASA (left), Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) and Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency (right) pose for pictures Nov. 12 in front of the Soyuz booster to which their Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft will be mated as part of their “fit check” dress rehearsal. The trio will launch Nov. 24, Kazakh time, from Baikonur for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Ivanov
6005: At the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 42/43 crewmember Terry Virts of NASA (right) tries his hand at Ping-Pong Nov. 18 as his Soyuz Commander, Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, left) looks on. Virts, Shkaplerov and Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency are preparing to launch Nov. 24, Kazakh time, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in their Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Sergei Fyodorov
Expedition 42 Flight Engineer Samantha Cristoforetti, of the European Space Agency (ESA), top, Flight Engineer Terry Virts of NASA, center, and Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), bottom, wave farewell prior to boarding the Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft for launch, Monday, Nov. 24, 2014 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Cristoforetti, Virts, and Shkaplerov will spend the next five and a half months aboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)
Expedition 42 Flight Engineer Terry Virts of NASA, left, takes a quick glimpse up at the Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft before boarding to launch with fellow crewmates Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and Flight Engineer Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency (ESA) Monday, Nov. 24, 2014 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Cristoforetti, Virts, and Shkaplerov will spend the next five and a half months aboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)
6388: In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 42/43 crewmember Terry Virts of NASA poses for a picture Nov. 19 by the Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft during the crew’s second and final pre-launch “fit check” dress rehearsal activities. Virts, Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency will launch on Nov. 24, Kazakh time, from Baikonur for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Viktor Ivanov
5505: In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 42/43 crewmembers Terry Virts of NASA (left), Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) and Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency (right) pose for pictures Nov. 12 in front of their Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft during a “fit check” dress rehearsal. The trio will launch Nov. 24, Kazakh time, from Baikonur for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Ivanov
5473: In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 42/43 crewmembers Terry Virts of NASA (left), Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) and Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency (right) listen to reporters’ questions Nov. 12 during a “fit check” dress rehearsal. The trio will launch Nov. 24, Kazakh time, from Baikonur in the Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Ivanov
4108: At the Kremlin Wall in Red Square in Moscow, Expedition 42/43 crewmember Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency lays flowers Nov. 6 at the site where Russian space icons are interred. Cristoforetti, Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and Terry Virts of NASA will launch Nov. 24, Kazakh time from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on their Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll
3779a: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 42/43 prime crewmembers Terry Virts of NASA (left), Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) and Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency (right) pose for pictures following a news conference Nov. 6. Virts, Cristoforetti and Shkaplerov will launch Nov. 24, Kazakh time from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on their Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll
6103: At the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 42/43 crewmember Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency tests her vestibular system on a tilt table Nov. 18 as part of pre-launch training. Cristoforetti, Terry Virts of NASA and Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) will launch Nov. 24, Kazakh time, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in the Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Sergei Fyodorov
5295: In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 42/43 crewmember Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) climbs into the Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft during a “fit check” dress rehearsal Nov. 12. Shkaplerov, Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency and Terry Virts of NASA will launch Nov. 24, Kazakh time, from Baikonur for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Ivanov
ISS044E000028 (06/11/2015) --- The Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft undocked from the Rassvet module on the International Space Station on June 11, 2015. NASA astronaut Terry Virts, (ESA) European Space Agency astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti and Russian cosmonaut Anton Shkaplerov are on their way back to Earth. They will land in Kazakhstan a few hours later after more than 6 months in space.
4502: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 42/43 crewmember Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency (right) answers a reporter’s question Nov. 11 while her crewmates, Terry Virts of NASA (left) and Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) look on. Virts, Shkaplerov and Cristoforetti will launch Nov. 24, Kazakh time from Baikonur in their Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft for a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll
3851: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 42/43 crewmember Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency (right) signs a ceremonial book Nov. 6 as her crewmates, Terry Virts of NASA (left) and Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) look on. Virts, Cristoforetti and Shkaplerov will launch Nov. 24, Kazakh time from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on their Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll
6374: In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 42/43 crewmembers Terry Virts of NASA (left), Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) and Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency (right) pose for pictures Nov. 19 in front of their Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft during their second and final pre-launch “fit check” dress rehearsal activities. The trio will launch on Nov. 24, Kazakh time, from Baikonur for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Viktor Ivanov
5293 copy OK: In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 42/43 crewmember Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency climbs into the Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft during a “fit check” dress rehearsal Nov. 12. Cristoforetti, Terry Virts of NASA and Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) will launch Nov. 24, Kazakh time, from Baikonur for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Ivanov
6394: In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 42/43 crewmember Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency poses for a picture Nov. 19 by the Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft during the crew’s second and final pre-launch “fit check” dress rehearsal activities. Cristoforetti, Terry Virts of NASA and Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) will launch on Nov. 24, Kazakh time, from Baikonur for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Viktor Ivanov
5542: In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 42/43 crewmember Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency climbs into the Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft during a “fit check” dress rehearsal Nov. 12. Cristoforetti, Terry Virts of NASA and Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) will launch Nov. 24, Kazakh time, from Baikonur for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Ivanov
3981a: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 42/43 crewmember Terry Virts of NASA pauses to look at Russian space memorabilia during a tour of the Gagarin Museum Nov. 6. Virts, Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency will launch Nov. 24, Kazakh time from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on their Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll
6255: Behind the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 42/43 crewmembers Terry Virts of NASA (left), Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) and Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency (right) pose for pictures Nov. 18 as they near the end of their pre-flight training. Virts, Cristoforetti and Shkaplerov will launch Nov. 24, Kazakh time, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in the Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Sergei Fyodorov
Expedition 42 Flight Engineer Terry Virts has his Russian Sokol suit pressure checked in preparation for his launch aboard the Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2014, at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket is scheduled for the early hours of Nov. 24 and will carry Virts and fellow crewmates, Flight Engineer Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency (ESA) and Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) into orbit to begin their five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)
Expedition 42 Flight Engineer Terry Virts has his Russian Sokol suit pressure checked in preparation for his launch aboard the Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2014, at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket is scheduled for the early hours of Nov. 24 and will carry Virts and fellow crewmates, Flight Engineer Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency (ESA) and Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) into orbit to begin their five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)
Expedition 42 Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) waves to friends and family as he has his Russian Sokol suit pressure checked in preparation for his launch aboard the Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2014, at Building 254 in the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket is scheduled for the early hours of Nov. 24 and will carry Shkaplerov and fellow crewmates, Flight Engineers Terry Virts of NASA and Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency (ESA) into orbit to begin their five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)
3593: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 42/43 Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) studies systems manuals as he prepares to enter a Soyuz simulator October 31 for the second day of qualification exams. Shkaplerov, NASA Flight Engineer Terry Virts and European Space Agency Flight Engineer Samantha Cristoforetti are preparing for launch in the Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan Nov. 24, Kazakh time, for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll
Expedition 42 Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) has his Russian Sokol suit pressure checked in preparation for his launch aboard the Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2014, at Building 254 in the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket is scheduled for the early hours of Nov. 24 and will carry Shkaplerov and fellow crewmates, Flight Engineers Terry Virts of NASA and Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency (ESA) into orbit to begin their five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)
3574a: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 42/43 Flight Engineer Terry Virts of NASA pauses to reflect as he prepares to enter a Soyuz simulator October 31 for the second day of qualification exams. Overlooking Virts is a wall mural depicting the image of Yuri Gagarin, the first human to fly in space. Virts, Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and European Space Agency Flight Engineer Samantha Cristoforetti are preparing for launch in the Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan Nov. 24, Kazakh time, for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll
3608a: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 42/43 Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) flashes a thumbs up as he enters a Soyuz simulator October 31 for the second day of qualification exams. Overlooking Shkaplerov is a wall mural depicting the image of Yuri Gagarin, the first human to fly in space. Shkaplerov, NASA Flight Engineer Terry Virts and European Space Agency Flight Engineer Samantha Cristoforetti are preparing for launch in the Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan Nov. 24, Kazakh time, for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll
Expedition 42 Flight Engineer Terry Virts has his Russian Sokol suit pressure checked in preparation for his launch aboard the Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2014, at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket is scheduled for the early hours of Nov. 24 and will carry Virts and fellow crewmates, Flight Engineer Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency (ESA) and Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) into orbit to begin their five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)
Expedition 42 Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) is helped up after having his Russian Sokol suit pressure checked in preparation for his launch aboard the Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2014, at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket is scheduled for the early hours of Nov. 24 and will carry Shkaplerov and fellow crewmates, Flight Engineers Terry Virts of NASA and Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency (ESA) into orbit to begin their five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)
Expedition 42 Flight Engineer Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency (ESA) has her Russian Sokol suit pressure checked in preparation for her launch aboard the Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2014, at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket is scheduled for the early hours of Nov. 24 and will carry Cristoforetti and fellow crewmates, Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), and Flight Engineer Terry Virts of NASA, into orbit to begin their five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)
Expedition 42 Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) has his Russian Sokol suit pressure checked in preparation for his launch aboard the Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2014, at Building 254 in the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket is scheduled for the early hours of Nov. 24 and will carry Shkaplerov and fellow crewmates, Flight Engineers Terry Virts of NASA and Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency (ESA) into orbit to begin their five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)
Expedition 42 Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) has his Russian Sokol suit pressure checked in preparation for his launch aboard the Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2014, at Building 254 in the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket is scheduled for the early hours of Nov. 24 and will carry Shkaplerov and fellow crewmates, Flight Engineers Terry Virts of NASA and Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency (ESA) into orbit to begin their five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)
3630a: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, an instructor watches a television monitor showing the Expedition 42/43 crew running through their procedures in a Soyuz simulator during the second day of qualification exams October 31. NASA Flight Engineer Terry Virts, Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and European Space Agency Flight Engineer Samantha Cristoforetti are preparing for launch in the Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan Nov. 24, Kazakh time, for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll
Expedition 42 Flight Engineer Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency (ESA) has her Russian Sokol suit pressure checked in preparation for her launch aboard the Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2014, at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket is scheduled for the early hours of Nov. 24 and will carry Cristoforetti and fellow crewmates, Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), and Flight Engineer Terry Virts of NASA, into orbit to begin their five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)
#3340 - (30 October 2014) --- At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 42/43 Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov of Roscosmos (left), Flight Engineer Terry Virts of NASA (center) and Flight Engineer Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency (right) share a light moment at the start of their qualification exams October 30. The trio is preparing for launch to the International Space Station from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on November 24, Kazakh time, in the Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft to begin a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Photo credit: NASA/Stephanie Stoll
Expedition 42 Flight Engineer Samantha Cristoforetti, of the European Space Agency (ESA), left, Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), center, and Flight Engineer Terry Virts of NASA, right, pose for a photo with senior officials of Roscosmos, NASA, and ESA prior to boarding the Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft for launch, Monday, Nov. 24, 2014 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Cristoforetti, Virts, and Shkaplerov will spend the next five and a half months aboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)
3568: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 42/43 Flight Engineer Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency (left), Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and NASA Flight Engineer Terry Virts clasp hands for photographers during the second day of qualification exams October 31. The trio is preparing for launch in the Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan Nov. 24, Kazakh time, for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll
3570: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 42/43 Flight Engineer Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency (left), Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and NASA Flight Engineer Terry Virts clasp hands for photographers during the second day of qualification exams October 31. The trio is preparing for launch in the Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan Nov. 24, Kazakh time, for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll
3546: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 42/43 Flight Engineer Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency (left), Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and NASA Flight Engineer Terry Virts pose for pictures during the second day of qualification exams October 31. The trio is preparing for launch in the Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan Nov. 24, Kazakh time, for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll
4537: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 42/43 Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) waves to well-wishers Nov. 11 before boarding a bus that took him, Terry Virts of NASA and Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency to a waiting plane for a flight to their launch site at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The trio will launch Nov. 24, Kazakh time from Baikonur in their Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft for a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll
#3333 - (30 October 2014) --- At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 42/43 Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov of Roscosmos (left), Flight Engineer Terry Virts of NASA (center) and Flight Engineer Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency (right) listen to instructions from Russian space officials at the start of their qualification exams October 30. The trio is preparing for launch to the International Space Station from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on November 24, Kazakh time, in the Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft to begin a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Photo credit: NASA/Stephanie Stoll
#3186 – (30 October 2014) --- At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 42/43 backup Soyuz Commander Oleg Kononenko of Roscosmos signs in for the first of two days of qualification exams October 30 as his crewmates, Kjell Lindgren of NASA (left) and Kimiya Yui of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency look on. They are the backups to the prime crew --- Terry Virts of NASA, Anton Shkaplerov of Roscosmos and Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency --- who are in the final stages of training for launch November 24, Kazakh time, in the Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft to begin a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Photo credit: NASA/Stephanie Stoll
6401: In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 42/43 crewmember Terry Virts of NASA poses for a picture Nov. 19 by the Soyuz booster that will send the Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft into orbit during the crew’s second and final pre-launch “fit check” dress rehearsal activities. Virts, Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency will launch on Nov. 24, Kazakh time, from Baikonur for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Viktor Ivanov
#3198 – (30 October 2014) --- At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 42/43 backup crewmember Kimiya Yui of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency signs in for the first of two days of qualification exams October 30 as his crewmates, Kjell Lindgren of NASA and Oleg Kononenko of Roscosmos look on. They are the backups to the prime crew --- Terry Virts of NASA, Anton Shkaplerov of Roscosmos and Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency --- who are in the final stages of training for launch November 24, Kazakh time, in the Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft to begin a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Photo credit: NASA/Stephanie Stoll
ISS042E101429 (01/05/2014) --- This image, photographed by one of the Expedition 42 crew members aboard the International Space Station, shows the the Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft on the left attached to the Rassvet module on the Earth-facing port of the Russian segment of the station that delivered Expedition 42 crewmembers Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), Terry Virts of NASA and Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency on Nov. 24, 2014 , and to the right, the unpiloted ISS Progress 57 cargo craft that is docked to the Pirs Docking Compartment and which arrived at the station a month earlier on Oct. 29, 2014.
6219: Behind the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 42/43 crewmember Terry Virts of NASA (foreground, left) plants a tree bearing his name in traditional ceremonies Nov. 18. Looking on are crewmates Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency (center) and Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, right). In the background are backup crewmembers Kjell Lindgren of NASA, Oleg Kononenko of Roscosmos and Kimiya Yui of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. Virts, Cristoforetti and Shkaplerov will launch Nov. 24, Kazakh time, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in the Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Sergei Fyodorov
4064a: In Red Square in Moscow, Expedition 42/43 crewmembers Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency (foreground, left) and Terry Virts of NASA (foreground, right) walk by the famed St. Basil’s Cathedral Nov. 6 as they prepare to lay flowers at the Kremlin Wall where Russian space icons are interred. In the background are backup crewmembers Kimiya Yui of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Oleg Kononenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and Kjell Lindgren of NASA. Cristoforetti, Virts and Anton Shkaplerov of Roscosmos will launch Nov. 24, Kazakh time from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on their Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll
4515: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 42/43 crewmember Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency (right) answers a reporter’s question Nov. 11 while her crewmates, Terry Virts of NASA (left) and Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) look on. Virts, Shkaplerov and Cristoforetti later flew to the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan where they will launch Nov. 24, Kazakh time in their Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft for a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll
5379: In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 42/43 crewmember Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, left) undergoes a leak check in his Sokol launch and entry suit Nov. 12 as part of a “fit check” dress rehearsal while crewmate Terry Virts of NASA (right) gestures while waiting his turn. Shkaplerov, Virts and Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency will launch Nov. 24, Kazakh time, from Baikonur in the Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Ivanov
6276: Behind the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, the Expedition 42/43 prime and backup crewmembers pose for pictures Nov. 18 as they near the end of pre-flight training. From left to right are backup crewmember Oleg Kononenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), prime crewmembers Terry Virts of NASA, Anton Shkaplerov of Roscosmos and Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency, and backup crewmembers Kjell Lindgren of NASA and Kimiya Yui of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. Virts, Cristoforetti and Shkaplerov will launch Nov. 24, Kazakh time, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in the Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Sergei Fyodorov
6270: Behind the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 42/43 crewmembers Terry Virts of NASA (left), Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) and Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency (right) clasp hands as they pose for pictures Nov. 18 near the end of their pre-flight training. Virts, Cristoforetti and Shkaplerov will launch Nov. 24, Kazakh time, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in the Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Sergei Fyodorov
6174: Behind the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 42/43 crewmember Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency (center) plants a tree bearing her name in traditional ceremonies Nov. 18. Looking on are crewmates Terry Virts of NASA (left) and Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, right). In the background are backup crewmembers Oleg Kononenko of Roscosmos and Kimiya Yui of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. Virts, Cristoforetti and Shkaplerov will launch Nov. 24, Kazakh time, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in the Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Sergei Fyodorov
4398: Clad in blue flight gear, Expedition 42/43 crewmembers Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency (left), Terry Virts of NASA (center) and Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, right) walk toward a bus Nov. 11 at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia that took them to a waiting plane for a flight to the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for final pre-launch training. Virts, Shkaplerov and Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency will launch Nov. 24, Kazakh time from Baikonur in their Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft for a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll
5158 OK: At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 42/43 crewmembers Terry Virts of NASA (top), Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) and Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency (right) disembark from a Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center aircraft Nov. 11 after a flight from Star City, Russia to begin the final weeks of training for their launch to the International Space Station. The trio are preparing for their liftoff on the Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft from Baikonur on Nov. 24, Kazakh time, for a five and a half month mission on the international outpost. NASA/Victor Ivanov
#3192 – (30 October 2014) --- At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 42/43 backup crewmember Kjell Lindgren of NASA signs in for the first of two days of qualification exams October 30 as his crewmates, Oleg Kononenko of Roscosmos (center) and Kimiya Yui of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency look on. They are the backups to the prime crew --- Terry Virts of NASA, Anton Shkaplerov of Roscosmos and Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency --- who are in the final stages of training for launch November 24, Kazakh time, in the Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft to begin a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Photo credit: NASA/Stephanie Stoll
4198a: At the Kremlin in Moscow, the Expedition 42/43 prime and backup crewmembers pose for pictures Nov. 6 in front of the famed Tsar Bell. From left to right are prime crewmembers Terry Virts of NASA, Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency and backup crewmembers Kjell Lindgren of NASA, Oleg Kononenko of Roscosmos and Kimiya Yui of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. Virts, Shkaplerov and Cristoforetti will launch Nov. 24, Kazakh time from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on their Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll
4441: With the statue of Vladimir Lenin nearby, the Expedition 42/43 crew poses for pictures Nov. 11 at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia before boarding a flight to the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for final pre-launch training. From left to right are Terry Virts of NASA, Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency, who will launch Nov. 24, Kazakh time from Baikonur in their Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft for a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll
6404: In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 42/43 crewmembers Terry Virts of NASA (left), Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) and Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency (right) answer questions from reporters Nov. 19 during their second and final pre-launch “fit check” dress rehearsal activities. The trio will launch on Nov. 24, Kazakh time, from Baikonur on the Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Viktor Ivanov
4328: At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 42/43 crewmember Terry Virts of NASA (right) says farewell to a Russian Orthodox priest Nov. 11 before boarding a flight to the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for final pre-launch training. Virts, Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency will launch Nov. 24, Kazakh time from Baikonur in their Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft for a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll
5143 OK: Aboard a Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center aircraft, Expedition 42/43 Flight Engineer Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency (ESA, center), affixes a decal of the ESA logo of her mission to the cabin wall next to the Soyuz crew decal Nov. 11 in a traditional activity en route to her launch site at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Looking on are her crewmates, NASA’s Terry Virts (left) and Soyuz Commander Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, right). The trio are preparing for their launch on the Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft from Baikonur on Nov. 24, Kazakh time, for a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Ivanov
#3241 - (30 October 2014) --- At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 42/43 backup crewmembers Kjell Lindgren of NASA (left), Soyuz Commander Oleg Kononenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) and Kimiya Yui of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (right) answer questions from reporters in front of a Soyuz simulator October 30 as part of their final qualification exams for flight. They are the backups to the prime crew --- Terry Virts of NASA, Anton Shkaplerov of Roscosmos and Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency --- who are in the final stages of training for launch November 24, Kazakh time, in the Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft to begin a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Photo credit: NASA/Stephanie Stoll
#3179 - (30 October 2014) --- At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 42/43 backup crewmembers Kjell Lindgren of NASA (left), Soyuz Commander Oleg Kononenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) and Kimiya Yui of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (right) prepare to sign in for their final Soyuz qualification exams October 30. They are the backups to the prime crew --- Terry Virts of NASA, Anton Shkaplerov of Roscosmos and Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency --- who are in the final stages of training for launch November 24, Kazakh time, in the Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft to begin a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Photo credit: NASA/Stephanie Stoll
#3263 - (30 October 2014) --- At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 42/43 backup crewmembers Kjell Lindgren of NASA (left), Soyuz Commander Oleg Kononenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) and Kimiya Yui of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (right) pose for pictures in front of a Soyuz simulator October 30 as part of their final qualification exams for flight. They are the backups to the prime crew --- Terry Virts of NASA, Anton Shkaplerov of Roscosmos and Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency --- who are in the final stages of training for launch November 24, Kazakh time, in the Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft to begin a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Photo credit: NASA/Stephanie Stoll
#3234a - (30 October 2014) --- At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 42/43 backup Flight Engineer Kjell Lindgren of NASA answers questions from reporters in front of a Soyuz simulator October 30 as part of his final qualification exams for flight. He along with Oleg Kononenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and Kimiya Yui of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (not pictured) are the backups to the prime crew --- Terry Virts of NASA, Anton Shkaplerov of Roscosmos and Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency --- who are in the final stages of training for launch November 24, Kazakh time, in the Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft to begin a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Photo credit: NASA/Stephanie Stoll
5741: At their Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, the Expedition 42/43 prime and backup crewmembers raised the flags of Russia, the U.S., Italy and Kazakhstan in traditional ceremonies Nov. 13. From left to right are prime crewmember Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and his backup, Oleg Kononenko, prime crewmember Terry Virts of NASA and his backup, Kjell Lindgren of NASA, prime crewmember Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency (partially hidden) and backup crewmember Kimiya Yui of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. Virts, Shkaplerov and Cristoforetti will launch Nov. 24, Kazakh time, from Baikonur on the Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Ivanov
6156: Bundled up against chilly temperatures, Expedition 42/43 crewmembers Terry Virts of NASA (front row, left), Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency (front row, center) and Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, front row, right) take a stroll down the Walk of the Cosmonauts behind their Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan Nov. 18 as part of pre-launch training. Behind them are backup crewmembers Kjell Lindgren of NASA (second row, left), Oleg Kononenko of Roscosmos (second row, center) and Kimiya Yui of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (second row, right). Virts, Cristoforetti and Shkaplerov will launch Nov. 24, Kazakh time, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in the Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Sergei Fyodorov
4450: With the statue of Vladimir Lenin nearby, the Expedition 42/43 backup and prime crewmembers pose for pictures Nov. 11 at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia before the prime crew boarded a flight to the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for final pre-launch training. From left to right are backup crewmembers Kjell Lindgren of NASA, Oleg Kononenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and Kimiya Yui of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and prime crewmembers Terry Virts of NASA, Anton Shkaplerov of Roscosmos and Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency, who will launch Nov. 24, Kazakh time from Baikonur in their Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft for a five and a half month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll