A seamless transition of command in the orbital outpost of the International Space Station
In short: On September 9, 2013, a critical baton was passed 250 miles above Earth. As Expedition 36 concluded its mission, the crew faced a high-stakes handover to Expedition 37, ensuring the continuous maintenance and scientific research required to sustain life in low Earth orbit.
The transition of command occurred during a formal ceremony on the International Space Station. Commander Pavel Vinogradov of Roscosmos handed over the reins to Fyodor Yurchikhin, who assumed leadership for Expedition 37. While the departing Expedition 36 crew—including NASA's Chris Cassidy and Roscosmos's Alexander Misurkin—prepared for their descent via the Soyuz TMA-08M spacecraft, the remaining crew prepared for a new phase of orbital operations.
For those staying aboard, the mission was far from routine. ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano faced a harrowing moment during a July spacewalk when his helmet filled with water, a situation resolved only through his calm nerves and assistance from ground control. Beyond managing such emergencies, the crew maintained the station's complex systems, such as replacing a failed pump in the European Columbus laboratory module.
Scientific research remains the core objective of these expeditions. During this period, Parmitano worked on the Fases experiment to study emulsions—small droplets suspended in liquids—and upgraded the ESA Biolab with a new microscope. The crew also conducted vital research into how human eyes and skin react to the space environment. To maintain physical health during these long-duration missions, every crew member performs 1.5 hours of exercise daily.
The Expedition 37 crew, consisting of Yurchikhin, Nyberg, and Parmitano, was scheduled to be joined by Michael Hopkins, Oleg Kotov, and Sergey Ryazanskiy on September 26. This rotation ensures that the station remains a continuous hub for international cooperation and scientific discovery.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Expedition 36 Hands of the Space Station to Expedition 37
- Also: Space Station Expedition 36 turns to 37
- Also: Expedition 36 Crew Members - NASA
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