The final countdown: Preparing for life on the International Space Station

Space · Published 13 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Before astronauts reach orbit, they undergo intense preparation in the remote steppes of Kazakhstan. From simulator drills to final crew coordination, the transition from Earth to the International Space Station requires a meticulous sequence of events to ensure safety and mission success in one of the world's harshest environments.

Between May 16 and 22, 2013, the crew of Expedition 36/37 engaged in a rigorous preparation phase at the Baikonur Cosmodrome. This included Fyodor Yurchikhin, Karen Nyberg, and Luca Parmitano, along with their backups. The primary goal was to prepare for their launch on May 29, Kazakh time, aboard the Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft. These preparations are essential for a mission designed to last approximately 5.5 months on the International Space Station. The primary crew consisted of a Russian commander, a NASA flight engineer, and a European Space Agency flight engineer. They were joined by three backup members from three different space agencies. This specific mission was scheduled to begin in late May 2013.

A key component of this training involves high-fidelity simulation. On May 22, 2013, Commander Yurchikhin was observed practicing Soyuz docking procedures using a laptop simulator within the Cosmonaut Hotel. This specific training allows the crew to familiarize themselves with the technical maneuvers required to berth with the orbiting outpost safely. The crew practiced these maneuvers inside the Cosmonaut Hotel's dedicated quarters. These sessions occur just days before the actual launch date. Such drills ensure every member is ready for the orbital docking sequence.

The presence of the backup crew—including members from Roscosmos, NASA, and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency—highlights the international scale of these logistical operations. The Baikonur Cosmodrome remains a critical hub for these missions. While the geopolitical landscape has shifted significantly since the Cold War, the site continues to facilitate cooperation between the U.S., Russia, and Europe. This partnership allows for the rotation of crews and the continued operation of the International Space Station, despite the complex international relations that have defined the space race for decades. Recent missions have seen NASA administrators visiting the site for the first time in eight years. Even during periods of high tension, the two nations continue to fly crews to the station on each other's spacecraft. This cooperation remains a cornerstone of modern orbital logistics.

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