The Expedition 18 and 19 crews wrapped up a busy week of joint operations aboard the International Space Station Friday.
Throughout the week, the newly-arrived Expedition 19 crew members spent much of their time familiarizing themselves with their new home and conducting handover activities with the outgoing Expedition 18 crew.
Expedition 18 Commander Mike Fincke officially handed over control of the station to Expedition 19 Commander Gennady Padalka and his crew during the traditional Change-of-Command ceremony Thursday.
Fincke and Flight Engineer Yury Lonchakov are targeted to return to Earth on April 8. Joining them aboard their Soyuz TMA-13 spacecraft will be Charles Simonyi, a spaceflight participant who arrived at the station with Expedition 19 for a two-week stay. Staying aboard the station with Padalka are flight engineers Koichi Wakata and Michael Barratt.
The crews kept busy Friday with a variety of science, maintenance and handover activities. They also went over Soyuz undocking procedures with specialists to prepare for the departure of Fincke, Lonchakov and Simonyi next week.
Over the weekend, crew members will continue undocking preparations. They will also continue their regular science, maintenance and exercise activities and have an opportunity to speak with family members.
Share This Article With Planet Earth
