Gallery: Space Station's Expedition 30 Mission

Expedition 30 Astronauts During Spacewalk

Russian cosmonauts Oleg Kononenko and Anton Shkaplerov, both Expedition 30 flight engineers, participate in a session of extravehicular activity (EVA) to continue outfitting the International Space Station. The image was released Feb. 16, 2012.

Russian Cosmonaut Anton Shkaplerov During a Spacewalk

Russian cosmonaut Anton Shkaplerov, Expedition 30 flight engineer, participates in a session of extravehicular activity (EVA) to continue outfitting the International Space Station. Image released Feb. 16, 2012.

View of the Nile by Expedition 30 Crew Member

This nighttime image photographed by one of the Expedition 30 crew members aboard the International Space Station provides a look toward the Mediterranean Sea. Along the left side, the night lights clearly depict the high population associated with the Nile River and its delta and the Alexandria, Egypt area (top left center). The Gulf of Suez and the Suez Canal are seen to the right. Image released Feb. 16, 2012.

Easy Juggling!

European Space Agency astronaut Andre Kuipers, Expedition 30 flight engineer, is pictured near fruit floating freely in the Unity node of the International Space Station. Image released Feb. 16, 2012.

Cosmonaut Grabs Lunch on Expedition 30

Russian cosmonaut Anton Shkaplerov, Expedition 30 flight engineer, makes a selection from a food storage container in the Zvezda Service Module of the International Space Station. NASA astronaut Dan Burbank, commander, is visible in the background. Image released Feb. 16, 2012.

Aurora Australis by Expedition 30 Crewmember

Aurora Australis, seen at right on Earth's horizon, and daybreak (left) highlight this densely packed photograph taken by one of the Expedition 30 crew members aboard the International Space Station. The estimated nadir position of the orbital outpost was over the Indian Ocean (at coordinates of approximately 49.5 degrees south latitude and 122.6 degrees east longitude), or about 1,200 miles south of Australia. The view is toward the east. A Russian Soyuz (center), connected to the Pirs docking compartment, is joined in the foreground (right) by a Russian Progress. Image released Feb. 16, 2012.

Robonaut 2 Humanoid Robot

fisheye lens attached to an electronic still camera was used to capture this image of Robonaut 2 humanoid robot during another system checkout in the Destiny laboratory of the International Space Station. Teams on the ground commanded Robonaut through a series of dexterity tests as it spelled out "Hello, world" in sign language. Image released on Feb. 16, 2012.

Fisheye View of Humanoid Robot

A fisheye lens attached to an electronic still camera was used to capture this image of Robonaut 2 humanoid robot during another system checkout in the Destiny laboratory of the International Space Station. Teams on the ground commanded Robonaut through a series of dexterity tests as it spelled out "Hello, world" in sign language. Image released on Feb. 16, 2012.

Astronaut Don Pettit on a Treadmill

NASA astronaut Don Pettit, Expedition 30 flight engineer, equipped with a bungee harness, exercises on the Combined Operational Load Bearing External Resistance Treadmill (COLBERT) in the Tranquility node of the International Space Station. Image released Feb. 16, 2012.

Astronauts in the Cupola

NASA astronaut Dan Burbank (right), Expedition 30 commander, along with European Space Agency astronaut Andre Kuipers (center) and NASA astronaut Don Pettit, both Expedition 30 flight engineers, are pictured in the Cupola of the International Space Station. Image released Feb. 16, 2012.