A solemn tribute in Moscow before the next voyage to the stars
In short: Before launching into orbit, the Expedition 45 crew paused to honor the legends of spaceflight. From the historic Gagarin Museum to the Kremlin Wall, these astronauts connected with the deep roots of Russian space exploration before beginning their journey to the International Space Station.
On July 8, the crew members of Expedition 45 engaged in a series of cultural and commemorative visits in Russia. This included a tour of the Gagarin Museum in Star City to view historic space artifacts. Following this, the crew traveled to Moscow's Red Square to lay flowers at the Kremlin Wall, a site where significant Russian space icons are interred. The group explored various relics within the museum. This excursion allowed them to witness significant pieces of history firsthand.
Sergei Volkov, the Soyuz Commander for Roscosmos, was accompanied by ESA's Andreas Mogensen and Kazcosmos's Aidyn Aimbetov during the visit. Oleg Skripochka and Sergei Prokopyev of Roscosmos, plus ESA's Thomas Pesquet, served as backups to maintain mission continuity. The backup crew members also participated in these commemorative activities. This ensured the entire team shared in the cultural significance of the trip.
This period of commemoration preceded a critical mission phase. Volkov, Mogensen, and Aimbetov were scheduled to launch on September 2, Kazakh time, aboard the Soyuz TMA-18M spacecraft. Their destination was the International Space Station, where they would join a continuous lineage of space exploration, following crews like Kjell Lindgren, who recently completed a 141-day mission. The spacecraft used for this journey was the Soyuz TMA-18M. This vessel would transport the crew to their orbital destination.
These rituals highlight the intersection of modern orbital science and the profound historical legacy of space exploration. By honoring those buried at the Kremlin Wall, the crew acknowledges the pioneers who paved the way for the current era of international cooperation aboard the ISS. Such traditions bridge the gap between past achievements and future goals. They reinforce the importance of remembering those who first ventured into the void.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Expedition 45/Visiting Crew Conducts News Conference in Russia
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