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

ISS046e023885 (01/25/2016) --- NASA astronaut Tim Kopra performs regular maintenance on the Urine Processing Assembly (UPA) aboard the International Space Station. The UPA is used by the crew to recycle water for use on the station. The image shows Tim replacing the brine filter from the UPA Fill Drain Valve enclosure.

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

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

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

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

ISS047e048133 (04/01/2016) --- NASA astronaut Tim Kopra prepares a U.S. Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuit for cooling loop maintenance. Spacesuits on-board the International Space Station get routine maintenance between spacewalks.

ISS046e030629 (01/31/2016) --- Another awesome Earth observation by the crew of the International Space Station. NASA astronaut Tim Kopra tweeted this image out with the comment: "Flying over @NewZealand -- beautiful #islands . #Explore ".

ISS046e026252 (01/28/2016) --- NASA astronaut Tim Kopra aboard the International Space Station tweeted this night image of the west coast of America with the message: " Looking back at the west coast of #California before dawn.".

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

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

STS-128 Crew & ISS Crewmember Tim Kopra return ceremony at Ellington Field Location: Ellington Field

ISS046e024208 (01/25/2016) --- Expedition 46 flight engineer Tim Kopra of NASA shared this stunning nighttime photograph with his social media followers on Jan. 25, 2016, writing, "Beautiful night pass over Italy, Alps and Mediterranean."

ISS047e032108 (04/01/2016) --- NASA astronaut and Expedition 47 commander Tim Kopra conducts a loop scrub on two U.S. spacesuits inside the Quest airlock. Periodic cleaning and sampling of the spacesuit cooling loops is conducted to ensure the suits are in working order and ready to support future spacewalks.

ISS046e034177 (02/05/2016) --- This image of a portion of the Mexican coastal area was taken by crew members aboard the International Space Station. NASA astronaut Tim Kopra tweeted out this comment with the image " Nice #beach town! #Mazatlan on the west coast of @Mexico - 21 km boardwalk. #Explore ".

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

ISS046e021993 (01/23/2016) --- Earth observation of the coast of Oman taken during a night pass by the Expedition 46 crew aboard the International Space Station. NASA astronaut Tim Kopra tweeted this image out with this message: "Passing over the Gulf of #Oman at night -- city lights of #Muscat #Dubai #AbuDhabi and #Doha in the distance".

JSC2010-E-046449 (31 March 2010) --- NASA astronaut Tim Kopra, STS-133 mission specialist, attired in a training version of his Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuit, awaits the start of a spacewalk training session in the waters of the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) near NASA's Johnson Space Center.

JSC2010-E-046444 (31 March 2010) --- NASA astronauts Nicole Stott and Tim Kopra, both STS-133 mission specialists, are pictured during a training session in the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) near NASA's Johnson Space Center.

ISS046e040049 (02/12/2016) --- NASA astronaut Tim Kopra captured this image of the US state of Florida aboard the International Space Station. He made this comment while sending this picture out via Twitter "Flying over #Florida reminded me of the Space Shuttle flights that helped build this amazing #ISS -- thanks, #KSC ! (Kennedy Space Center Florida).

ISS047e010094 (03/16/2016) --- Expedition 47 Commander Tim Kopra of NASA participates in the Ocular Health investigation aboard the International Space Station. The study seeks to help researchers better understand microgravity-induced visual impairment and changes believed to arise from elevated intracranial pressure. These tests will help characterize how living in microgravity can affect the visual, vascular and central nervous system. The investigation will also measure how long it takes for astronauts to return to normal after they return to Earth.

ISS046e025945 (01/27/2016) --- NASA astronaut Tim Kopra sets up hardware for the Burning and Suppression of Solids – Milliken, or BASS-M, experiment. The BASS-M investigation tests flame-retardant cotton fabrics to determine how well they resist burning in microgravity. Results benefit research on flame-retardant textiles that can be used on Earth and in space

ISS047e050514 (04/07/2016) --- Expedition 47 Commander Tim Kopra configures the station’s Microgravity Science Glovebox for upcoming research operations. The glovebox is one of the major dedicated science facilities inside Destiny. It has a large front window and built-in gloves to provide a sealed environment for conducting science and technology experiments. The Glovebox is particularly suited for handling hazardous materials when the crew is present.

JSC2010-E-046459 (31 March 2010) --- NASA astronauts Tim Kopra and Alvin Drew (partially obscured), both STS-133 mission specialists, attired in training versions of their Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuits, are about to be submerged in the waters of the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) near NASA's Johnson Space Center. Divers (out of frame) are in the water to assist the crew members in their rehearsal, intended to help prepare them for work on the exterior of the International Space Station.

JSC2008-E-122385 (9 Oct. 2008) --- Astronaut Tim Kopra, STS-127 mission specialist, dons a training version of his Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuit in preparation for a training session in the waters of the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) near NASA's Johnson Space Center. Astronaut Tom Marshburn, mission specialist, assisted Kopra, who is scheduled to join Expedition 19 as flight engineer after launching to the International Space Station with the STS-127 crew.

JSC2008-E-122387 (9 Oct. 2008) --- Attired in a training version of his Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuit, astronaut Tim Kopra, STS-127 mission specialist, awaits the start of a training session in the waters of the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) near NASA's Johnson Space Center. Kopra is scheduled to join Expedition 19 as flight engineer after launching to the International Space Station with the STS-127 crew.

ISS046e048360 (02/25/2016) --- NASA astronaut Tim Kopra prepares to participate in the Airway Monitoring experiment. With dust particles present in the International Space Station atmosphere, Airway Monitoring studies the occurrence and indicators of airway inflammation in crewmembers, using ultra-sensitive gas analyzers to analyze exhaled air. This helps to highlight any health impacts and to maintain crewmember well-being on future human spaceflight missions, especially longer-duration missions to the Moon and Mars for example, where crewmembers will have to be more self-sufficient in highlighting and avoiding such conditions.

JSC2008-E-122401 (9 Oct. 2008) --- Attired in training versions of their Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuits, astronauts Tim Kopra and Dave Wolf (out of frame), STS-127 mission specialists, are submerged in the waters of the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) near NASA's Johnson Space Center. SCUBA-equipped divers (out of frame) are in the water to assist the crewmembers in their rehearsal, intended to help prepare them for work on the exterior of the International Space Station. Kopra is scheduled to join Expedition 19 as flight engineer after launching to the International Space Station with the STS-127 crew.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 46-47 crewmembers Tim Peake of the European Space Agency (left), Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) and Tim Kopra of NASA (right) answer reporters’ questions Nov. 30 in front of the statue of Vladimir Lenin before departing for their launch site at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Malenchenko, Kopra and Tim Peake of the European Space Agency will launch Dec. 15 in their Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft for a six-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA / Seth Marcantel

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 46-47 crewmembers Tim Peake of the European Space Agency (left), Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) and Tim Kopra of NASA (right) pose for pictures Nov. 30 in front of the statue of Vladimir Lenin before departing for their launch site at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Malenchenko, Kopra and Tim Peake of the European Space Agency will launch Dec. 15 in their Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft for a six-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA / Seth Marcantel

JSC2009-E-207787 (12 Sept. 2009) --- Stephen Lindsey, chief of the astronaut office, greets NASA astronaut Rick Sturckow, STS-128 commander, as the STS-128 crew members exit a Gulfstream aircraft prior to the crew return ceremonies at Ellington Field near NASA?s Johnson Space Center. Pictured behind Sturckow (front to back) are NASA astronauts Kevin Ford, pilot; Patrick Forrester and Jose Hernandez, both mission specialists. Crew members not pictured are NASA astronauts John ?Danny? Olivas and Tim Kopra; along with European Space Agency astronaut Christer Fuglesang, all mission specialists.

Behind their Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, the prime and backup Expedition 46-47 crewmembers pose for pictures Dec. 9 during a break in their training. From left to right are prime crewmembers Tim Peake of the European Space Agency, Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency and Tim Kopra of NASA, and backup crewmembers Kate Rubins of NASA, Anatoly Ivanishin of Roscosmos and Takuya Onishi of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. Kopra, Peake and Malenchenko will launch Dec. 15 on their Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft for a six-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

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

At the Kremlin Wall in Red Square in Moscow, Expedition 46-47 crewmember Tim Kopra of NASA lays flowers at the site where Russian space icons are interred in a ceremony Nov. 23. Looking on from left to right are backup crewmember Anatoly Ivanishin of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and prime crewmembers Tim Peake of the European Space Agency and Yuri Malenchenko of Roscosmos. Peake, Malenchenko and Kopra will launch on Dec. 15 on the Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a six-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Seth Marcantel

With St. Basil’s Cathedral in Red Square in Moscow serving as a backdrop, Expedition 46-47 crewmembers Tim Kopra of NASA (left), Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) and Tim Peake of the European Space Agency (right) pose for pictures Nov. 23 after laying flowers at the Kremlin Wall where Russian space icons are interred. Peake, Malenchenko and Kopra will launch on Dec. 15 on the Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a six-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Seth Marcantel

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, the prime and backup Expedition 46-47 crewmembers pose for pictures Nov. 30 in front of the statue of Vladimir Lenin before departing for their launch site at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. From left to right are backup crewmembers, Takuya Onishi of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Kate Rubins of NASA and Anatoly Ivanishin of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and prime crewmembers Tim Peake of the European Space Agency (left), Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and Tim Kopra of NASA. Malenchenko, Kopra and Tim Peake of the European Space Agency will launch Dec. 15 in their Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft for a six-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA / Seth Marcantel

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

During a break from training, the Expedition 46-47 prime and backup crewmembers toured the Korolev Museum at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan Dec. 10 and displayed a flag bearing the logo for the prime crew’s Soyuz mission. From left to right are backup crewmembers Kate Rubins of NASA and Takuya Onishi of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, prime crewmembers Tim Kopra of NASA, Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and Tim Peake of the European Space Agency who are holding the flag, and backup crewmember Anatoly Ivanishin of Roscosmos. Kopra, Peake and Malenchenko will launch Dec. 15 on the Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft for a six-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

During a break from training, the Expedition 46-47 prime and backup crewmembers toured the Korolev Museum at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan Dec. 10 and listened to museum curators discuss past Russian space memorabilia. From left to right are prime crewmember Tim Kopra of NASA, backup crewmember Takuya Onishi of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, prime crewmember Tim Peake of the European Space Agency, backup crewmember Kate Rubins of NASA, prime crewmember Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and backup crewmember Anatoly Ivanishin of Roscosmos. Kopra, Peake and Malenchenko will launch Dec. 15 on the Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft for a six-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

ISS020-E-027317 (4 Aug. 2009) --- Astronaut Tim Kopra, Expedition 20 flight engineer, is pictured in the Destiny laboratory of the International Space Station.

ISS020-E-026294 (29 July 2009) --- Astronaut Tim Kopra, Expedition 20 flight engineer, works in the Kibo laboratory of the International Space Station.

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

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

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

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

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

ISS047e017191 (03/24/2016) --- NASA astronaut Tim Kopra (right) presents ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Tim Peake (left) with a patch to commemorate his 100th day in space on March 24, 2016. Peake, who arrived at the station along with Kopra on Dec. 15, 2015, is on his first spaceflight and was the 221st individual to visit the International Space Station.

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

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

ISS020-E-034811 (9 Aug. 2009) --- NASA astronaut Tim Kopra, Expedition 20 flight engineer, trims European Space Agency astronaut Frank De Winne’s hair in the Destiny laboratory of the International Space Station. Kopra used hair clippers fashioned with a vacuum device to garner freshly cut hair.

ISS020-E-023565 (23 July 2009) --- Astronaut Tim Kopra works out on the International Space Station's bicycle ergometer in the U.S. lab, Destiny. Kopra has only recently joined the Expedition 20 crew as a flight engineer, having arrived at the orbital outpost via the Space Shuttle Endeavour.

S127-E-006810 (18 July 2009) --- Astronaut Tim Kopra, mission specialist, is pictured during the first of five planned spacewalks to be performed on the International Space Station by the STS-127 crew. When the Endeavour crew returns to Earth, Kopra will stay onboard the station to serve as flight engineer for ISS expedition duty.

JSC2009-E-018972 (17 Dec. 2008) --- NASA astronaut Timothy L. Kopra, mission specialist

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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Astronaut Tim Kopra aids in Intravehicular Activity (IVA) constraints testing on the Italian-built Node 2, a future element of the International Space Station. The second of three Station connecting modules, the Node 2 attaches to the end of the U.S. Lab and provides attach locations for several other elements. Kopra is currently assigned technical duties in the Space Station Branch of the Astronaut Office, where his primary focus involves the testing of crew interfaces for two future ISS modules as well as the implementation of support computers and operational Local Area Network on ISS. Node 2 is scheduled to launch on mission STS-120, Station assembly flight 10A.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Astronaut Tim Kopra (facing camera) aids in Intravehicular Activity (IVA) constraints testing on the Italian-built Node 2, a future element of the International Space Station. The second of three Station connecting modules, the Node 2 attaches to the end of the U.S. Lab and provides attach locations for several other elements. Kopra is currently assigned technical duties in the Space Station Branch of the Astronaut Office, where his primary focus involves the testing of crew interfaces for two future ISS modules as well as the implementation of support computers and operational Local Area Network on ISS. Node 2 is scheduled to launch on mission STS-120, Station assembly flight 10A.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Astronaut Tim Kopra aids in Intravehicular Activity (IVA) constraints testing on the Italian-built Node 2, a future element of the International Space Station. The second of three Station connecting modules, the Node 2 attaches to the end of the U.S. Lab and provides attach locations for several other elements. Kopra is currently assigned technical duties in the Space Station Branch of the Astronaut Office, where his primary focus involves the testing of crew interfaces for two future ISS modules as well as the implementation of support computers and operational Local Area Network on ISS. Node 2 is scheduled to launch on mission STS-120, Station assembly flight 10A.

Date: 12-17-13 Location: Bldg 17, rm 1070 Food Lab Subject: Soyuz 45 crew members, Tim Kopra and ESA astronaut Tim Peake during food tasting in the JSC Food Lab Photographer: James Blair

European Astronaut Tim Peake of ESA during ISS EVA MAINT 3 NBL Training with Astronaut Tim Kopra and instructor Sandy Moore. Photo Date: September 10, 2014. Location: NBL - Pool Topside. Photographer: Robert Markowitz

European Astronaut Tim Peake of ESA during ISS EVA MAINT 3 NBL Training with Astronaut Tim Kopra and instructor Sandy Moore. Photo Date: September 10, 2014. Location: NBL - Pool Topside. Photographer: Robert Markowitz

Date: 12/09/13 Location: NBL - High Bay (MU-S) Subject: Soyuz 45 crew members, Tim Kopra and ESA astronaut Tim Peake during ISS EVA Maintenance 1 - 1G training Photographer: James Blair

PHOTO DATE: 12-12-13 LOCATION: Bldg. 17, Rm 1070 - Food Lab SUBJECT: Soyuz 45 crew members, Tim Kopra and ESA astronaut Tim Peake during food tasting. PHOTOGRAPHER: BILL STAFFORD

Date: 12/09/13 Location: NBL - High Bay (MU-S) Subject: Soyuz 45 crew members, Tim Kopra and ESA astronaut Tim Peake during ISS EVA Maintenance 1 - 1G training Photographer: James Blair

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

European Astronaut Tim Peake of ESA during ISS EVA MAINT 3 NBL Training with Astronaut Tim Kopra and instructor Sandy Moore. Photo Date: September 10, 2014. Location: NBL - Pool Topside. Photographer: Robert Markowitz

Date: 12/09/13 Location: NBL - High Bay (MU-S) Subject: Soyuz 45 crew members, Tim Kopra and ESA astronaut Tim Peake during ISS EVA Maintenance 1 - 1G training Photographer: James Blair