Space Station Photos: Expedition 52 Crew in Orbit

Practicing for the Journey

During final Soyuz qualification exams with fellow flight engineers Sergey Ryazanskiy of Roscosmos, and Paolo Nespoli of ESA, Randy Bresnik of NASA turns a dial on the Soyuz Simulator.

Watched from Above

During qualification exams on July 6, 2017, Expedition 52 flight engineers Paolo Nespoli of ESA, Sergey Ryazanskiy of Roscosmos and Randy Bresnik of NASA are observed by camera from the control room inside the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center.

Corroborating

Before another day of qualification exams begins, Expedition 52 flight engineers Paolo Nespoli of ESA, left, Sergey Ryazanskiy of Roscosmos, center, and Randy Bresnik of NASA go over details outside the simulator.

Supporting One Another

At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC) in Star City, Russia, Expedition 52 flight engineers Paolo Nespoli of ESA, left, Sergey Ryazanskiy of Roscosmos, center, and Randy Bresnik of NASA, go over notes before before qualification exams begin.

Learning the Ins and Outs

As the Expedition 52 backup crewmembers prepare for their Soyuz qualification exams, Alexander Misurkin of Roscosmos reads back through his paperwork and instructions.

Never Too Prepared

From left, Nikolai Tikhonov, Aleksandr Misurkin, and Mark Vande Hei — Expedition 51/52 crewmembers — participate in Fire Scene Generic training.

More Training

Paolo Nespoli, on the left, Expedition 52/53 flight engineer and ESA astronaut, participates in spacewalk training.

A Different Perspective

During spacewalk training, ESA's Paolo Nespoli, seen on the left, hovers and follows directions from an instructor.

A New System

During a training at Johnson Space Center, Expedition 52 crewmember astronaut Randy Bresnik learns how to use the ROBO Track & Capture system.

Checking the Gear

On July 17, 2017, Paolo Nespoli of the ESA participates in a leak check for his Russian Sokol suit during a fit check dress rehearsal inside the Baikonur Cosmodrome's Integration Facility.