NEW YORK: The expedition 42 will complete its mission of International Space Station (ISS) on March 11.
Cosmonauts including Alexander Samokutyaev and Elena Serova and NASA astronaut Barry Wilmore will come back to earth after spending six months in space.
In preparation, the cosmonauts trained for Soyuz descent procedures and checked that emergency communications equipment was functioning properly. Astronauts Barry Wilmore and Terry Virts wrapped up their three spacewalks by scrubbing down the cooling loops of their spacesuits. They sampled the water in the loops, since there had been a problem with minor water leakage in one of the suits. They also discussed their spacewalk experiences with experts at mission control.
To prepare for the departure of the Soyuz craft, the ISS raised its orbit. The crew also deployed two more cubesats, bringing the total number to sixteen; the nanosatellites will perform a variety of scientific experiments.
Remaining behind on the ISS to join Expedition 43 are ESA astronaut Samantha Cristforetti, NASA astronaut Terry Virts, and Cosmonaut Anton Shkaplerov. The three will form the crew of the ISS for two weeks before they are joined on March 27 by NASA astronaut Scott Kelly and Roscosmos cosmonauts Mikhail Kornienko and Gennady Padalka to begin Expedition 43.
