National Aeronautics and Space Administration

International Space Station

[MISSION SUMMARY]

EXPEDITION 32began July 1 and ends Sept. 17. The next expedition aboard the International Space 

Station will be action-packed with two spacewalks, a traffic pattern that includes 

both international and commercial resupply missions and a variety of scientific research that will include an innovative small satellite ejection 

system, a new aquatic habitat and an international disaster monitoring system. 

Expedition 32 expands the scope of research aboard the space station, 

with the delivery of new research facilities and the testing of a new microsatellite deployment system. The station’s predominately six-person crew 

allows more crew time for science activities. During this expedition, more 

than 240 experiments will be performed on the station, involving more than 

80 new experiments, technology demonstrations and facilities. More than 

400 investigators from around the world are involved in this research. The 

investigations cover human research, biological and physical sciences, 

technology development, Earth observations and education. 

• Born: Krasnodar, Russia

• Interests: Theater, parachute sport and diving

• Spaceflights: MIR in 1998, Exps. 9,19, 31/32

Gennady Padalka - Commander (Roscosmos)

(Guh-NADDEE Puh-DAHL-Ka)

• Born: Tokyo, Japan

• Interests: Flying, rugby, football, swimming, 

snow skiing and traveling

• Spaceflights: STS-124, Exp. 32/33

• Twitter: @Aki_Hoshide

Akihiko Hoshide – Flight Engineer (JAXA)

(Ah-kee-hee-ko HO-shee-day)

• Born: Svetlovodsk, Ukraine

• Spaceflights: MIR in 1994, STS-106, Exps. 7, 16, 32/33

Yuri Malenchenko – Flight Engineer (Roscosmos)

(YU-ree Muh-LEN-chen-ko)

• Born: Euclid, Ohio, considers Needham, Mass., home

• Interests: Running, snowboarding, swimming, biking 

and windsurfing 

• Spaceflights: Exps. 14, 32/33

• Twitter: @Astro_Suni

Sunita Williams – Flight Engineer (NASA)

(Suh-NEE-tuh Williams)

• Born: Inglewood, Calif., considers Anaheim, Calif., home

• Interests: Camping, hiking, biking, kayaking and 

scuba diving

• Spaceflights: STS-119, Exp. 31/32

• Twitter: @AstroAcaba

Joe Acaba – Flight Engineer (NASA)

(Joe Ah-KA-buh)

• Born: Moscow, Russia

• Interests: Travel, snow skiing, water skiing, balloon 

flights and photography

• Spaceflights: Exp. 31/32

Sergei Revin – Flight Engineer (Roscosmos)

(SUR-gay REV-in)

Soyuz TMA-05M • Launch: July 14, 2012 • Landing: Nov. 12, 2012

THE CREW:

Soyuz TMA-04M • Launch: May 15, 2012 • Landing: Sept. 17, 2012

THE SCIENCE:

A Beehive 

of Activity
National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center 

Houston, Texas 77058

www.nasa.gov

FS-2012-07-020-JSC

International

Space Station

Mission

Summary

n Blood Cell Testing (Canadian Space Agency)

Microflow1 is a new investigation that uses flow cytometers to analyze 

individual cells for cell counting and sorting. This technique is used 

routinely to diagnose health issues and is useful in basic research. This 

type of blood testing is quite common on Earth and is often one of the 

first activities performed by physicians to determine illness specifics. 

n 24 Hour Light/Dark Cycles in Humans (European Space Agency) 

This experiment examines the correlation between synchronized 

circadian rhythms (the human body’s 24-hour light-dark cycle) and 

possible maintenance of crew members’ health and well-being. 

Understanding how light/dark cycles and sleep pattern changes affect 

circadian rhythms and overall health is beneficial and could help 

address the health concerns of shift workers on Earth.

n Biomedical Analyses of Human Hair Exposed to a Long-term 

Space Flight (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency)

This experiment will study hair follicles to record the metabolic 

conditions of the environment on the station. It will analyze human 

hair to understand the effect of long duration space flight on gene 

expression and trace element metabolism in human body.

n Aquatic Habitat (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) 

This experiment will support multi-generations of small freshwater 

fish, such as medaka and zebrafish. Studies will investigate how 

microgravity and the space radiation environment affect living 

things including human beings, particularly over the long term.

n Extreme Weather 

Observation (NASA, U.S. 

Agency for International 

Development)

ISS SERVIR Environmental 

Research and Visualization 

System (ISERV) is an 

investigation designed to 

gain knowledge that will 

lead to the development of 

new technology, capable 

of providing useful images 

to monitor and assess 

extreme weather. ISERV 

is a joint venture between 

NASA and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and 

will be installed in the Window Observational Research Facility.

The crew’s patch represents the 32nd expedition to the International Space Station. The arch shape 

of the patch symbolizes the doorway to future space exploration possibilities. The flame highlights 

the importance of education as the key to future human spaceflight. The astronaut symbol circles 

the Earth. The names of each crew member located on the border of the patch are written to honor 

the various cultures and languages on the mission. The three flags also depict the home countries 

of the Expedition 32 crew members and signify the collaborative international partnership of 15 

countries working as one. 

THE MISSION PATCH:

EXPEDITION 31/32 

Science FAST FACTS:

n 201 investigations

n 123 new investigations

n 82 NASA led investigations

n 119 internationally led investigations

n More than 400 investigators represented

The ISERV camera, once on the space 

station, will be positioned to look through 

Destiny's Earth-facing window.