The urgency and importance of the Marshall Space Flight Center's mission in the 1960s was apparent from the begirning. It became even more apparent on April 12, 1962, when the Soviet cosmonaut, Yuri Gagarin, became the first man in space.

S96-13233 (July 1996) --- Cosmonaut Valeri G. Korzun egresses a trainer at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Russia. Korzun is Mir-24 commander. EDITOR'S NOTE: Since this photograph was taken cosmonauts Korzun and Aleksandr Y. Kaleri were named to replace the original Mir-22 crew. Along with French spationaut Claudie desHayes, the two joined NASA astronaut Shannon W. Lucid onboard the Mir space station in August.

A banner celebrating the 60th anniversary of the launch of Yuri Gagarin is seen just past the security entrance to building 254 of the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Friday, April 9, 2021 in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket sent Expedition 65 NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei, Russian cosmonauts Oleg Novitskiy and Pyotr Dubrov on a mission to the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Expedition 64 prime crew member Sergey Kud-Sverchkov holds up a knitted cosmonaut named Yuri that was made by his wife during a press conference prior to his launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020 at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC) in Star City, Russia. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)

A banner celebrating the 60th anniversary of the launch of Yuri Gagarin is seen at the site 31 launch pad prior to boarding Expedition 65 NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei, Russian cosmonauts Oleg Novitskiy and Pyotr Dubrov, Friday, April 9, 2021 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket sent the trio on a mission to the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

A banner celebrating the 60th anniversary of the launch of Yuri Gagarin is seen at the site 31 launch pad prior to boarding Expedition 65 NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei, Russian cosmonauts Oleg Novitskiy and Pyotr Dubrov, Friday, April 9, 2021 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket sent the trio on a mission to the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Expedition 64 prime crew member Sergey Kud-Sverchkov of Roscosmos holds a knit cosmonaut named Yuri made by his wife Olga, during a press conference prior to his launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020 at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC) in Star City, Russia. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)

nhq2017070600102 (July 6, 2017) --- Expedition 52 backup crew members: Mark Vande Hei of NASA, suited left, Alexander Misurkin of Roscosmos, center, and Norishige Kanai of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) meet with, Cosmonaut Yuri Gidzenko, left, Cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko, Deputy Director, GCTC, Cosmonaut Alexander Kaleri, and John McBrine, NASA Director of Operations, GCTC ahead of the crew's Soyuz qualification exams, Thursday, July 6, 2017 at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC) in Star City, Russia. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

nhq201707070004 (July 7, 2017) --- Expedition 52 flight engineers Paolo Nespoli of ESA, left, Sergey Ryazanskiy of Roscosmos, center, and Randy Bresnik of NASA meet with, Cosmonaut Yuri Gidzenko, left, Cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko, Deputy Director, GCTC, Cosmonaut Alexander Kaleri, John McBrine, NASA Director of Operations, GCTC and Mark Bowman, NASA Soyuz Technical Lead ahead of the crew's final Soyuz qualification exam, Friday, July 7, 2017 at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC) in Star City, Russia. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Expedition 64 crew members NASA astronaut Kate Rubins, left, Russian cosmonaut Sergey Kud-Sverchkov of Roscosmos, center, and Russian cosmonaut Sergey Ryzhikov of Roscosmos, listen during a press conference prior to their launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020 at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC) in Star City, Russia. Kud-Sverchkov is holding a knit cosmonaut named Yuri that his wife made for him to take along for the launch. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)

jsc2017e136941 - At the Baikonur Museum in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 54-55 backup crewmember Alexander Gerst of the European Space Agency signs a picture of the statue of Yuri Gagarin, the first human to fly in space Dec. 6 as his backup crewmate, S

NASA Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity used its rock abrasion tool on a rock informally named Gagarin. This approximately true color image shows the circular mark created where the tool exposed the interior of the rock at a target called Yuri.

NASA Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity used its rock abrasion tool on a rock informally named Gagarin. This false-color image shows the circular mark created where the tool exposed the interior of the rock at a target called Yuri.

jsc2017e138127 - At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the Expedition 54-55 prime and backup crewmembers pose for pictures Dec. 13 in front of the cottage where the iconic Russian space designer Sergey Korolev slept on the night before Yuri Gagarin launched April 12, 1961 to become the first human to fly in space. Korolev’s cottage is next to the cottage where Gagarin slept on the eve of his launch. From left to right are backup crewmembers Alexander Gerst of the European Space Agency, Sergey Prokopyev of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and Jeanette Epps of NASA, and prime crewmembers Scott Tingle of NASA, Anton Shkaplerov of Roscosmos and Norishige Kanai of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. Tingle, Kanai and Shkaplerov will launch Dec. 17 on the Soyuz MS-07 spacecraft for a five month mission on the International Space Station...Andrey Shelepin/Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center.

jsc2017e138126 - At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the Expedition 54-55 prime and backup crewmembers pose for pictures Dec. 13 in front of the cottage where Yuri Gagarin slept on the night before his launch April 12, 1961 to become the first human to fly in space. From left to right are backup crewmembers Alexander Gerst of the European Space Agency, Sergey Prokopyev of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and Jeanette Epps of NASA, and prime crewmembers Scott Tingle of NASA, Anton Shkaplerov of Roscosmos and Norishige Kanai of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. Tingle, Kanai and Shkaplerov will launch Dec. 17 on the Soyuz MS-07 spacecraft for a five month mission on the International Space Station...Andrey Shelepin/Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center.

A painting of Yuri Gagarin is seen in the lobby of the building where the Expedition 52 prime and backup crews held a crew press conference on the grounds of the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC), Monday, July 10, 2017 in Star City, Russia. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Expedition 52 flight engineer Paolo Nespoli of ESA signs a guest book at the "Memorial working study of Yuri Gagarin" at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC), Monday, July 10, 2017 in Star City, Russia. The memorial study represents Gagarin's working study in the way it was abandoned by Gagarin on March 27, 1968 before leaving for the airfield for training flight that became his last. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Expedition 52 flight engineers Sergey Ryazanskiy of Roscosmos, seated left, and Randy Bresnik of NASA are seen as they sign a guest book at the "Memorial working study of Yuri Gagarin" at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC), Monday, July 10, 2017 in Star City, Russia. The memorial study represents Gagarin's working study in the way it was abandoned by Gagarin on March 27, 1968 before leaving for the airfield for training flight that became his last. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Expedition 52 flight engineers Sergey Ryazanskiy of Roscosmos, seated left, and Randy Bresnik of NASA are seen as they sign a guest book at the "Memorial working study of Yuri Gagarin" at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC), Monday, July 10, 2017 in Star City, Russia. The memorial study represents Gagarin's working study in the way it was abandoned by Gagarin on March 27, 1968 before leaving for the airfield for training flight that became his last. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Expedition 65 backup crew member, Anton Shkaplerov of Roscosmos signs a guest book at the "Memorial working study of Yuri Gagarin" at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC), as his crew mates watch, Wednesday, March 24, 2021 in Star City, Russia. The memorial study represents Gagarin's working study in the way it was abandoned by Gagarin on March 27, 1968 before leaving for the airfield for training flight that became his last. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Irina Spector)

Expedition 64 backup crew member NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei signs a guest book at the "Memorial working study of Yuri Gagarin" at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC), as his crew mates watch, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020 in Star City, Russia. The memorial study represents Gagarin's working study in the way it was abandoned by Gagarin on March 27, 1968 before leaving for the airfield for training flight that became his last. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)

Expedition 64 prime crew member NASA astronaut Kate Rubins signs a guest book at the "Memorial working study of Yuri Gagarin" at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC), as her crew mates watch, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020 in Star City, Russia. The memorial study represents Gagarin's working study in the way it was abandoned by Gagarin on March 27, 1968 before leaving for the airfield for training flight that became his last. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)

Expedition 65 prime crew member, Mark Vande Hei of NASA signs a guest book at the "Memorial working study of Yuri Gagarin" at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC), as his crew mates watch, Wednesday, March 24, 2021 in Star City, Russia. The memorial study represents Gagarin's working study in the way it was abandoned by Gagarin on March 27, 1968 before leaving for the airfield for training flight that became his last. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Irina Spector)

Expedition 65 backup crew member, Anne McClain of NASA signs a guest book at the "Memorial working study of Yuri Gagarin" at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC), as her crew mates watch, Wednesday, March 24, 2021 in Star City, Russia. The memorial study represents Gagarin's working study in the way it was abandoned by Gagarin on March 27, 1968 before leaving for the airfield for training flight that became his last. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Irina Spector)

Expedition 65 prime crew member, Pyotr Dubrov of Roscosmos signs a guest book at the "Memorial working study of Yuri Gagarin" at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC), as his crew mates watch, Wednesday, March 24, 2021 in Star City, Russia. The memorial study represents Gagarin's working study in the way it was abandoned by Gagarin on March 27, 1968 before leaving for the airfield for training flight that became his last. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Irina Spector)

Expedition 52 flight engineers Sergey Ryazanskiy of Roscosmos, seated left, and Randy Bresnik of NASA are seen as they sign a guest book at the "Memorial working study of Yuri Gagarin" at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC), Monday, July 10, 2017 in Star City, Russia. The memorial study represents Gagarin's working study in the way it was abandoned by Gagarin on March 27, 1968 before leaving for the airfield for training flight that became his last. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Expedition 65 prime crew member, Oleg Novitskiy of Roscosmos signs a guest book at the "Memorial working study of Yuri Gagarin" at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC), as his crew mates watch, Wednesday, March 24, 2021 in Star City, Russia. The memorial study represents Gagarin's working study in the way it was abandoned by Gagarin on March 27, 1968 before leaving for the airfield for training flight that became his last. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Irina Spector)

Expedition 64 backup crew member Oleg Novitskiy of Roscosmos, signs a guest book at the "Memorial working study of Yuri Gagarin" at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC), as his crew mates watch, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020 in Star City, Russia. The memorial study represents Gagarin's working study in the way it was abandoned by Gagarin on March 27, 1968 before leaving for the airfield for training flight that became his last. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)

The Delta rocket on display at the Visitor Center at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. The rocket is illuminated as part of a "Yuri's Night" celebration to commemorate the first flight of cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin (April 12, 1961) and the first orbital flight of a space shuttle (April 12, 1981).

jsc2020e016870 - Along the Walk of the Cosmonauts at the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 63 backup crewmember Steve Bowen of NASA lays flowers March 27 at the site where the tree bearing the name of Yuri Gagarin, the first human to fly in space, is planted. March 27, 2020 marked the 52nd anniversary of Gagarin’s death at the age of 34. Looking on are cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko, the Deputy Director of the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center, and backup crewmates Andrei Babkin and Sergey Ryzhikov of Roscosmos. Looking on at the right are prime crewmembers Chris Cassidy of NASA and Ivan Vagner and Anatoly Ivanishin of Roscosmos who will launch April 9 on the Soyuz MS-16 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a six-and-a-half month mission on the International Space Station...Andrey Shelepin/Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center.

jsc2020e016869 - Along the Walk of the Cosmonauts at the Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 63 crewmember Chris Cassidy of NASA lays flowers March 27 at the site where the tree bearing the name of Yuri Gagarin, the first human to fly in space, is planted. March 27, 2020 marked the 52nd anniversary of Gagarin’s death at the age of 34. Looking on are cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko, the Deputy Director of the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center, and Cassidy’s crewmates, Ivan Vagner and Anatoly Ivanishin of Roscosmos. Cassidy, Vagner and Ivanishin will launch April 9 on the Soyuz MS-16 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a six-and-a-half month mission on the International Space Station...Andrey Shelepin/Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center.

JSC2000-05379 (7 June 2000) --- Cosmonaut Yuri Gidzenko, Soyuz commander for Expedition One, is partially submerged in the Hydrolab facility at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center during a spacewalk rehearsal.

The Soyuz TMA-21 spacecraft is lifted into position on the launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Saturday, April 2, 2011. The Soyuz, which has been dubbed “Gagarin”, is launching one week shy of the 50th anniversary of the launch of Yuri Gagarin from the same launch pad in Baikonur on April 12, 1961 to become the first human to fly in space. The first stage of the Soyuz booster is emblazoned with the name “Gagarin” and the likeness of the first person to fly in space. Photo Credit (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

ISS047e056031 (04/12/2016) --- NASA astronaut Tim Kopra, Commander of Expedition 47, floats inside the Russian segment on Cosmonautics Day 2016. Behind him are photographs (left to right) of Konstantin Tsiolkovsky, a Russian rocket scientist and pioneer of rocketry and astronautics, Sergei Korolev, the lead Soviet rocket and spacecraft engineer during the Space Race, Yuri Gagarin, the first human to fly in outer space, and a photo of Gagarin and Korolev together. Apr. 12, 2016 marked the 55th anniversary of Gagarin’s flight.

The Soyuz TMA-21 spacecraft is seen shortly after arriving at the launch pad Saturday, April 2, 2011 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The Soyuz, which has been dubbed “Gagarin”, is launching one week shy of the 50th anniversary of the launch of Yuri Gagarin from the same launch pad in Baikonur on April 12, 1961 to become the first human to fly in space. The first stage of the Soyuz booster is emblazoned with the name “Gagarin” and the likeness of the first person to fly in space. Photo Credit (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

The Soyuz TMA-21 spacecraft is lifted into position on the launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Saturday, April 2, 2011. The Soyuz, which has been dubbed “Gagarin”, is launching one week shy of the 50th anniversary of the launch of Yuri Gagarin from the same launch pad in Baikonur on April 12, 1961 to become the first human to fly in space. The first stage of the Soyuz booster is emblazoned with the name “Gagarin” and the likeness of the first person to fly in space. Photo Credit (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

The Soyuz TMA-21 spacecraft is seen shortly after arriving at the launch pad Saturday, April 2, 2011 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The Soyuz, which has been dubbed “Gagarin”, is launching one week shy of the 50th anniversary of the launch of Yuri Gagarin from the same launch pad in Baikonur on April 12, 1961 to become the first human to fly in space. The first stage of the Soyuz booster is emblazoned with the name “Gagarin” and the likeness of the first person to fly in space. Photo Credit (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

The Soyuz TMA-21 spacecraft is seen shortly after arriving at the launch pad Saturday, April 2, 2011 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The Soyuz, which has been dubbed “Gagarin”, is launching one week shy of the 50th anniversary of the launch of Yuri Gagarin from the same launch pad in Baikonur on April 12, 1961 to become the first human to fly in space. The first stage of the Soyuz booster is emblazoned with the name “Gagarin” and the likeness of the first person to fly in space. Photo Credit (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

The Soyuz TMA-21 spacecraft is seen shortly after arriving at the launch pad Saturday, April 2, 2011 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The Soyuz, which has been dubbed “Gagarin”, is launching one week shy of the 50th anniversary of the launch of Yuri Gagarin from the same launch pad in Baikonur on April 12, 1961 to become the first human to fly in space. The first stage of the Soyuz booster is emblazoned with the name “Gagarin” and the likeness of the first person to fly in space. Photo Credit (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

ISS002-E-7180 (26 April 2001) --- Celebrating the recent 40th anniversary of the first human-tended space flight, Rosaviakosmos cosmonauts Yuri V. Lonchakov and Yury V. Usachev hold a photo of the late cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin. The STS-100 mission specialist and the Expedition Two commander are in the Zvezda Service Module on the International Space Station (ISS). Usachev and two Americans are currently hosting Lonchakov and six astronauts as work continues on the orbiting outpost. The photo was taken with a digital still camera.

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

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 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

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

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

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

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 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 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 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

Expedition 10 Commander and NASA Science Officer Leroy Chiao, right, Flight Engineer and Soyuz Commander Salizhan Sharipov and Russian Space Forces cosmonaut Yuri Shargin, left, toured a museum bearing the name of historic Russian rocket designer Sergei Korolev, Saturday, October 9, 2004, at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan in advance of their liftoff to the International Space Station October 14. The traditional visit included the signing of their names in commemorative books and a wall at the museum, and touring the cottages nearby where Korolev and Yuri Gagarin slept on the eve of Gagarin's launch April 12, 1961 to become the first human in space. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

At the History Museum at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the backup Expedition 32/33 crewmembers share a moment to reflect at the “Gagarin Gazebo” July 7, 2012 where Russian space officials approved Yuri Gagarin to become the first human to fly in space 51 years ago. NASA Flight Engineer Tom Marshburn (left), Russian Soyuz Commander Roman Romanenko (center) and Flight Engineer Chris Hadfield of the Canadian Space Agency are the backups for NASA’s Sunita Williams, Yuri Malenchenko and Aki Hoshide of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, who will launch to the International Space Station July 15 from the Cosmodrome in their Soyuz TMA-05M spacecraft. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

Expedition 52 flight engineers Paolo Nespoli of ESA, seated left, Sergey Ryazanskiy of Roscosmos, seated center, Randy Bresnik of NASA, seated right, joined by backup crew members, Norishige Kanai, standing left, Alexander Misurkin, not pictured, and Mark Vande Hei, right, are seen as they sign a guest book at the "Memorial working study of Yuri Gagarin" at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC), Monday, July 10, 2017 in Star City, Russia. The memorial study represents Gagarin's working study in the way it was abandoned by Gagarin on March 27, 1968 before leaving for the airfield for training flight that became his last. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

At the Gagarin Museum located at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 38/39 Soyuz Commander Mikhail Tyurin poses in front of a statue of Yuri Gagarin, the first human to fly in space, and a picture of Gagarin with Russian space icon Sergei Korolev during a tour October 22, 2013. Tyurin, NASA Flight Engineer Rick Mastracchio and Flight Engineer Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency will launch Nov. 7, Kazakh time from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on the Soyuz TMA-11M spacecraft for the start of a six-month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Stephanie Stoll

Expedition 52 backup crew members, Norishige Kanai, seated left, Alexander Misurkin, and Mark Vande Hei, seated right, sign a guest book at the "Memorial working study of Yuri Gagarin" at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC) as Expedition 52 flight engineers Paolo Nespoli of ESA, standing left, Sergey Ryazanskiy of Roscosmos, center, and Randy Bresnik of NASA, look on, Monday, July 10, 2017 in Star City, Russia. The memorial study represents Gagarin's working study in the way it was abandoned by Gagarin on March 27, 1968 before leaving for the airfield for training flight that became his last. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Flight Engineer and Soyuz Commander Salizhan Sharipov, right, Expedition 10 Commander and NASA Science Officer Leroy Chiao and Russian Space Forces cosmonaut Yuri Shargin, left, toured a museum bearing the name of historic Russian rocket designer Sergei Korolev, Saturday, October 9, 2004, at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan prior to their liftoff to the International Space Station October 14. The traditional visit included the signing of their names in commemorative books and a wall at the museum, and touring the cottages nearby where Korolev and Yuri Gagarin slept on the eve of Gagarin's launch April 12, 1961 to become the first human in space. The tour guide points out a piece of art made entirely of painted grains of rice depicting Yuri Gargarin and Korolev. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Expedition 29 Commander Mike Fossum, left, Russian cosmonaut Sergei Volkov and Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Satoshi Furukawa, right, are seen in front of a statue of Yuri Gagarin at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia as part of a traditional welcome home ceremony on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2011. The crew landed on the steppes of Kazakhstan on November 22nd after spending five months living and working aboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

Flight Engineer and Soyuz Commander Salizhan Sharipov tours a museum bearing the name of historic Russian rocket designer Sergei Korolev, Saturday, October 9, 2004, at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan in advance of their liftoff to the International Space Station October 14. The traditional visit included the signing of their names in commemorative books and a wall at the museum, and touring the cottages nearby where Korolev and Yuri Gagarin slept on the eve of Gagarin's launch April 12, 1961 to become the first human in space. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

(25 April 2012) --- At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, outside Moscow, Expedition 31 Soyuz commander Gennady Padalka signs a traditional cosmonauts' log at the site's Yuri Gagarin museum. Padalka, along with NASA astronaut Joe Acaba, and cosmonaut Sergei Revin (not pictured) are preparing for the launch May 15 that will take them to the International Space Station on the Soyuz TMA-04M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Photo credit: NASA/Stephanie Stoll

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 27 Flight Engineer Ron Garan of NASA (left), Soyuz Commander Alexander Samokutyaev (center) and Flight Engineer Andrey Borisenko pose for pictures outside their Soyuz TMA-21 spacecraft during a check of its systems March 22, 2011. The Soyuz, which has been dubbed “Gagarin” and which bears the likeness of cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, the first human in space, is scheduled for launch on April 5 (April 4, U.S. time), just one week shy of the 50th anniversary of Gagarin’s historic journey into space from the same launch pad that the Expedition 27 crew will begin their mission from.NASA/Victor Zelentso v

The Soyuz TMA-21 spacecraft is seen on the launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Saturday, April 2, 2011. The launch of the Soyuz spacecraft with Expedition 27 Soyuz Commander Alexander Samokutyaev, NASA Flight Engineer Ron Garan and Russian Flight Engineer Andrey Borisenko is scheduled for Tuesday, April 5, 2011. The Soyuz, which has been dubbed “Gagarin”, is launching one week shy of the 50th anniversary of the launch of Yuri Gagarin from the same launch pad in Baikonur on April 12, 1961 to become the first human to fly in space. The first stage of the Soyuz booster is emblazoned with the name “Gagarin” and the likeness of the first person to fly in space. Photo Credit (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

The Soyuz TMA-21 spacecraft is seen on the launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Saturday, April 2, 2011. The launch of the Soyuz spacecraft with Expedition 27 Soyuz Commander Alexander Samokutyaev, NASA Flight Engineer Ron Garan and Russian Flight Engineer Andrey Borisenko is scheduled for Tuesday, April 5, 2011. The Soyuz, which has been dubbed “Gagarin”, is launching one week shy of the 50th anniversary of the launch of Yuri Gagarin from the same launch pad in Baikonur on April 12, 1961 to become the first human to fly in space. The first stage of the Soyuz booster is emblazoned with the name “Gagarin” and the likeness of the first person to fly in space. Photo Credit (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

jsc2020e016841 - At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 63 prime crewmembers Ivan Vagner (front left) and Anatoly Ivanishin (front center) of Roscosmos and NASA’s Chris Cassidy (front right) carry flowers March 23 to the statue of Yuri Gagarin, the first human to fly in space, as part of pre-launch activities. Behind them are the backup crewmembers, Andrey Babkin and Sergey Ryzhikov of Roscosmos and NASA’s Steve Bowen. Vagner, Ivanishin and Cassidy will launch April 9 on the Soyuz MS-16 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a six-and-a-half month mission on the International Space Station...Irina Spector/Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center.

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 27 Flight Engineer Ron Garan of NASA stands in front of the Soyuz booster March 22, 2011 that will carry him, Soyuz TMA-21 Commander Alexander Samokutyaev and Flight Engineer Andrey Borisenko to the International Space Station. Their launch is scheduled for April 5 (April 4, U.S. time). The Soyuz booster bears the name and likeness of Yuri Gagarin, the first human to fly in space and the Soyuz TMA-21 spacecraft has been dubbed “Gagarin”, all in honor of the 50th anniversary of Gagarin’s historic flight on April 12, 1961. NASA/Dr. Paul Stoner

The Soyuz TMA-21 spacecraft is seen on the launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Saturday, April 2, 2011. The launch of the Soyuz spacecraft with Expedition 27 Soyuz Commander Alexander Samokutyaev, NASA Flight Engineer Ron Garan and Russian Flight Engineer Andrey Borisenko is scheduled for Tuesday, April 5, 2011. The Soyuz, which has been dubbed “Gagarin”, is launching one week shy of the 50th anniversary of the launch of Yuri Gagarin from the same launch pad in Baikonur on April 12, 1961 to become the first human to fly in space. The first stage of the Soyuz booster is emblazoned with the name “Gagarin” and the likeness of the first person to fly in space. Photo Credit (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

(31 March 2011) --- Technicians at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan pore over the Soyuz TMA-21 spacecraft encapsulated in the first stage of the Soyuz booster rocket March 31, 2011 as preparations continue for the launch April 5 (Kazakhstan time) of Expedition 27 crew members -- Ron Garan of NASA, Soyuz commander Alexander Samokutyaev and Andrey Borisenko, both of Russia, to the International Space Station. The first stage of the Soyuz booster is emblazoned with the name “Gagarin” and the likeness of Yuri Gagarin. The launch is dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the launching of Gagarin from Baikonur April 12, 1961 to become the first human to fly in space. Photo credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 27 Flight Engineer Ron Garan of NASA (left), Soyuz Commander Alexander Samokutyaev (center) and Flight Engineer Andrey Borisenko pose for pictures outside their Soyuz TMA-21 spacecraft during a check of its systems March 22, 2011. The Soyuz, which has been dubbed “Gagarin” and which bears the likeness of cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, the first human in space, is scheduled for launch on April 5 (April 4, U.S. time), just one week shy of the 50th anniversary of Gagarin’s historic journey into space from the same launch pad that the Expedition 27 crew will begin their mission rom. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

The Soyuz TMA-21 spacecraft is seen on the launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Saturday, April 2, 2011. The launch of the Soyuz spacecraft with Expedition 27 Soyuz Commander Alexander Samokutyaev, NASA Flight Engineer Ron Garan and Russian Flight Engineer Andrey Borisenko is scheduled for Tuesday, April 5, 2011. The Soyuz, which has been dubbed “Gagarin”, is launching one week shy of the 50th anniversary of the launch of Yuri Gagarin from the same launch pad in Baikonur on April 12, 1961 to become the first human to fly in space. The first stage of the Soyuz booster is emblazoned with the name “Gagarin” and the likeness of the first person to fly in space. Photo Credit (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Expedition 27 Flight Engineer Ron Garan of NASA (left), Soyuz Commander Alexander Samokutyaev (center) and Flight Engineer Andrey Borisenko suit up for a dress rehearsal of their launch activities and checkout of their Soyuz TMA-21 spacecraft March 22, 2011. The Soyuz, which has been dubbed “Gagarin” and which bears the likeness of cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, the first human in space, is scheduled for launch on April 5 (April 4, U.S. time), just one week shy of the 50th anniversary of Gagarin’s historic journey into space from the same launch pad that the Expedition 27 crew will begin their mission from. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

The Soyuz TMA-21 spacecraft is seen on the launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Saturday, April 2, 2011. The launch of the Soyuz spacecraft with Expedition 27 Soyuz Commander Alexander Samokutyaev, NASA Flight Engineer Ron Garan and Russian Flight Engineer Andrey Borisenko is scheduled for Tuesday, April 5, 2011. The Soyuz, which has been dubbed “Gagarin”, is launching one week shy of the 50th anniversary of the launch of Yuri Gagarin from the same launch pad in Baikonur on April 12, 1961 to become the first human to fly in space. The first stage of the Soyuz booster is emblazoned with the name “Gagarin” and the likeness of the first person to fly in space. Photo Credit (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

JSC2000-E-27077 (16 October 2000) --- Expedition One crew members in Moscow's Red Square. From left, Soyuz pilot Yuri Gidzenko, flight engineer Sergei Krikalev, and expedition commander William M. (Bill) Shepherd. While in Moscow, the trio also visited the grave of Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin (1934-1968). Paying respects to the first man in space is customary in Russia prior to a spaceflight.

Michael Foale, left, Expedition 7 backup crew member; Edward T. Lu, NASA International Space Station Science Officer and Flight Engineer; Alexander Y. Kaleri, backup crew member; and Yuri I. Malenchenko, Mission Commander, right are pictured as they visit the quarters of Yuri Gagarin after having visited the Soyuz launch pad and performing a final check of the Soyuz capsule at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Tuesday, April 22, 2003. Photo credit: (NASA/Scott Andrews)

JSC2003-E-31957 (22 April 2003) --- Astronauts C. Michael Foale (left), Expedition Seven backup crewmember; Edward T. Lu, NASA ISS science officer and flight engineer; cosmonauts Alexander Y. Kaleri, backup crewmember; and Yuri I. Malenchenko, mission commander; are pictured as they visit the quarters of Yuri Gagarin after having visited the Soyuz launch pad and performing a final check of the Soyuz capsule at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan. Malenchenko and Kaleri represent Rosaviakosmos. Photo credit: NASA/Scott Andrews.

A person cosplays a storm trooper at the Visitor Center at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. Members of the 501st Legion Star Wars cosplaying group attended a "Yuri's Night" celebration to commemorate the first flight of cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin (April 12, 1961) and the first orbital flight of a space shuttle (April 12, 1981).

An R2-D2 model in front of the Science on a Sphere exhibit at the Visitor Center at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. Star Wars cosplayers attended a "Yuri's Night" celebration at the visitor center to commemorate the first flight of cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin (April 12, 1961) and the first orbital flight of a space shuttle (April 12, 1981).

JSC2012-E-096290 (22 Feb. 2012) --- Russian cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko, Expedition 32/33 flight engineer, attired in a Russian Sokol launch and entry suit, takes a break from training in Star City, Russia to pose for a portrait. Photo credit: Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center

JSC2008-E-117644 (28 Aug. 2008) --- Russian Federal Space Agency cosmonaut Yury Lonchakov, Expedition 18 flight engineer, takes a break from training in Star City, Russia to pose for a portrait. Photo credit: Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center

JSC2000-E-18634 (June 2000) --- Astronaut William Shepherd (right) mission commander for ISS Expedition One,and Sergei Krikalev, flight engineer, participate in a training session in a trainer/mockup of the Zvezda Service Module at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Russia. Cosmonaut Yuri Gidzenko, Soyuz commander, is out of frame at right.

In the city of Baikonur, Kazakhstan, Expedition 55 backup crewmembers Alexey Ovchinin of Roscosmos (left) and Nick Hague of NASA (right) pose for pictures March 6 in front of a statue of Yuri Gagarin, the first human to fly in space, during traditional pre

JSC2000-05364 (7 June 2000) --- Cosmonaut Yuri Gidzenko, Soyuz commander for the Expedition One crew, checks his thermal undergarment prior to donning an Orlan space suit. Gidzenko was about to participate in an underwater spacewalk simulation in the Hydrolab facility at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Russia.

JSC2008-E-117654 (28 Aug. 2008) --- NASA astronaut Michael Fincke (right) and Russian Federal Space Agency cosmonaut Yury Lonchakov, Expedition 18 commander and flight engineer, respectively, take a break from training in Star City, Russia to pose for a portrait. Photo credit: Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center

JSC2008-E-117648 (28 Aug. 2008) --- Russian Federal Space Agency cosmonaut Yury Lonchakov, Expedition 18 flight engineer, attired in a Russian Sokol launch and entry suit, takes a break from training in Star City, Russia to pose for a portrait. Photo credit: Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center

JSC2011-E-215052 (15 Aug. 2011) --- Russian cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko, Expedition 30 backup crew member, attired in a Russian Sokol launch and entry suit, takes a break from training in Star City, Russia to pose for a portrait. Photo credit: Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 46-47 backup crewmembers Kate Rubins of NASA (left), Anatoly Ivanishin of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos, center) and Takuya Onishi of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (right) check in with Russian space officials Nov. 19 prior to their qualification exams. They are the backups to the prime crewmembers, Yuri Malenchenko of Roscosmos, Tim Kopra of NASA and Tim Peake of the European Space Agency, who 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 backup crewmember Anatoly Ivanishin of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) signs in Nov. 19 for the start of qualification exams as his crewmates, Kate Rubins of NASA (left) and Takuya Onishi of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (right, behind Ivanishin) look on. They are the backups to the prime crewmembers, Yuri Malenchenko of Roscosmos, Tim Kopra of NASA and Tim Peake of the European Space Agency, who 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 backup crewmember Takuya Onishi of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency signs in Nov. 19 for the start of qualification exams. Onishi as his crewmates, Kate Rubins of NASA and Anatoly Ivanishin of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) are the backups to the prime crewmembers, Yuri Malenchenko of Roscosmos, Tim Kopra of NASA and Tim Peake of the European Space Agency, who 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