jsc2011e030082

(31 March 2011) --- Technicians at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan pore over the Soyuz TMA-21 spacecraft encapsulated in the first stage of the Soyuz booster rocket March 31, 2011 as preparations continue for the launch April 5 (Kazakhstan time) of Expedition 27 crew members -- Ron Garan of NASA, Soyuz commander Alexander Samokutyaev and Andrey Borisenko, both of Russia, to the International Space Station. The first stage of the Soyuz booster is emblazoned with the name “Gagarin” and the likeness of Yuri Gagarin. The launch is dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the launching of Gagarin from Baikonur April 12, 1961 to become the first human to fly in space. Photo credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov