Expedition 57: The Space Station Mission in Photos

Expedition 57 logo

This official logo represents the five-member Expedition 57 crew.

Rollin' On Out

Before the harrowing Soyuz launch abort and emergency landing, much of the Expedition 57 crew's launch preparations followed a series of traditions. The images coming up include all those traditional prelaunch activities. On Oct. 9, 2018, technicians move the Soyuz rocket onto the launch pad aboard a train at the Baikonur Comsodrome in preparation for the Oct. 11 launch of Expedition 57 crewmembers Nick Hague and Alexey Ovchinin.

Getting Into Position

Heading for vertical, the Soyuz rocket is readied for the upcoming launch that will carry Expedition 57 crewmembers to the International Space Station for a six-month mission.

Setting Up for Launch

An engineer removes the train used transport the Soyuz rocket to the launch pad. The Soyuz stands tall in the background, ready for launch.

Proud Teammates

Expedition 57 prime crewmembers Alexey Ovchinin of Roscosmos (left) and NASA's Nick Hague, grasp hands for photos at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, during Soyuz qualification exams activities.

A Little Piece of Home

During the final fit check before launch, Expedition 57 crewmembers display toy mascots. The totems will hang over the crewmates heads in the Soyuz MS-10 spacecraft to indicate zero-G activity.

Historical Locale

Poised in front of St. Basil's Cathedral in Red Square, Expedition 57 prime and backup crewmembers take prelaunch photos. From left to right, backup crewmember — CSA's David Saint-Jacques, prime crewmembers — Roscosmos' Alexey Ovchinin and NASA's Nick Hague, and backup crewmember — Roscosmos' Oleg Kononenko, pose in Moscow.

Making Memories

Canada's David Saint-Jacques, part of the Expedition 57 backup crew, poses with prime crewmember, NASA's Nick Hague to take a selfie at the Kremlin in Moscow.

Ceremonial Activities

On Sept. 17, 2018, Expedition 57 backup crewmembers look on as prime crewmember Alexey Ovchinin of Roscomos aids fellow crewmate, NASA's Nick Hague as he signs a ceremonial book at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center as part of prelaunch activities. Hague and Ovchinin launch for a six-month mission at the International Space Station Oct. 11, 2018.

Leaving Their Mark

Arriving in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, their launch site, on Sept. 25, 2018, Expedition 57 crewmates Ovchinin and Hague place the mission logo on the airplane wall.