
Joining their unidentified Kazakh host (left), Expedition 36/37 backup crewmembers Rick Mastracchio of NASA (center) and Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (right) enjoy a traditional Kazakh meal in a Kazakh tent known as a “yurt” in Baikonur, Kazakhstan May 19. Their visit, along with backup crewmate Mikhail Tyurin was part of traditional ceremonies as they serve as backups to prime crewmembers Karen Nyberg of NASA, Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin and Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency, who are preparing for launch May 29, Kazakh time, in their Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft to begin a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov
Most NASA images are in the public domain and free to use. Credit NASA as the source. Check NASA's media usage guidelines for details. Images featuring identifiable individuals may require additional permissions.
NASA ID
jsc2013e033644
Date Created
May 19, 2013
Center
JSC
Media Type
image
Photographer
Photographer: Victor Zelentsov
Download this image in multiple resolutions. All NASA media are free for public use.
Large
1920px