The final rehearsals before a four-hour journey to the stars

Space · Published 11 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Before the engines ignite at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, astronauts undergo a rigorous period of preparation. From dress rehearsals in the Soyuz capsule to traditional ceremonies at the Cosmonaut Hotel, every movement is part of a precise countdown to orbital docking.

In May 2014, the crew of Expedition 40/41 arrived in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, to finalize preparations for their mission to the International Space Station. The main group included Roscosmos Soyuz Commander Maxim Suraev, alongside NASA Flight Engineer Reid Wiseman and ESA Flight Engineer Alexander Gerst. Alongside them, a group of backups—Anton Shkaplev (Roscosmos), Terry Virts (NASA), and Samantha Cristoforetti (ESA)—participated in activities ranging from May 15 to May 22. The backup crew members, including Anton Shkaplerov, Terry Virts, and Samantha Cristoforetti, were also present during these essential training sessions. This period of intense focus ensures that every member of the mission is prepared for the complexities of orbital life.

The training period included critical technical checks, such as a dress rehearsal fit check inside the Soyuz TMA-13M spacecraft. The crew also engaged in local traditions, such as posing at the Cosmonaut Hotel to mimic 'The Fisherman' statue, a famous landmark at the entrance to Baikonur. These ceremonies are part of the long-standing pre-launch rituals that prepare astronauts for the high-stakes environment of spaceflight. Beyond these formal exercises, the crew shared moments of levity, such as a group selfie shared by Alexander Gerst just one day before the launch. Such personal interactions help maintain cohesion during the high-pressure days leading up to liftoff.

The mission itself was a short but intense transit. On May 28, 2014, the Soyuz TMA-13M lifted off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome at 3:57 p.m. EDT. The journey to the orbital laboratory was remarkably swift, lasting only four hours. After completing just four orbits, the spacecraft was scheduled to dock with the Rassvet module at 9:48 p.m. This manoeuvre, known as EDT, aims to restore the International Space Station's total crew to six people. The launch itself was a visually striking event, captured in long-exposure photography as a vibrant streak across the night sky. This precise timing was designed to ensure the station reached its full complement of six crew members.

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