National Aeronautics and Space Administration

International Space Station

EXPEDITION 43began March 11, 2015 and ends May 13, 2015. This expedition will include the

beginning of research projects focusing on the One-Year mission, which includes 

medical, psychological and biomedical studies with NASA Astronaut Scott Kelly and Roscosmos Cosmonaut Mikhail Kornienko who will spend 

a year in space. Expedition 43 also will include astrophysics research, physical science investigations and technology demonstrations. There 

are no spacewalks planned during Expedition 43.

Researchers will begin to study meteors entering Earth’s atmosphere and test the 

durability of a new synthetic material with human-like features when exposed to the 

harsh microgravity environment during Expedition 43. In addition, Expedition 43 marks 

the inception of the One-Year Mission of Kelly and Kornienko, which will include seven 

categories of human health research. These investigations are expected to yield beneficial 

knowledge on the medical, psychological and biomedical challenges faced by astronauts 

during long-duration spaceflight. 

Soyuz TMA-16M • March 27, 2015 • Landing: September 11, 2015

Note: Kelly and Kornienko will remain onboard until March 2016

THE CREW:

Soyuz TMA-15M • Launch: Nov. 23, 2014 • Landing: May 13, 2015

THE SCIENCE:

"What are 

some of the 

investigations 

the crew is 

working on?"

Born: Orange, New Jersey

Interests: Racquetball, running, water sports and 

weight lifting 

Spaceflights: STS-103, STS-118, Exps. 25 and 26

Bio: http://go.nasa.gov/SbcMZD 

Twitter: @StationCDRKelly 

Instagram: stationcdrkelly 

Scott Kelly (NASA) – Flight Engineer

Born: Syzran, Russia

Interests: Mountaineering 

Spaceflights: Exps. 23 and 24

Bio: http://go.nasa.gov/Tg0ksk 

Mikhail Kornienko (Roscosmos) – Flight Engineer

(Kor-knee-EHN-koh)

Born: Krasnodar, Russia

Interests: Diving, parachute sport and theater

Spaceflights: Soyuz-TM-28/Mir Exp. 26, ISS Exps. 9, 19 

and 20

Bio: http://go.nasa.gov/1u1HVm6 

Gennady Padalka (Roscosmos) – Flight Engineer

(Puh-DOLL-kuh)

[MISSION SUMMARY]

Born: Milan, Italy

Interests: Hiking, reading, scuba diving, travel, yoga

Spaceflights: Exps. 42

Bio: http://go.nasa.gov/1EuQSa3 

Twitter: @AstroSamantha

Samantha Cristoforetti (ESA) – Flight Engineer

(Cris-ta-four-REHT-ee)

Born: Sevastopol, Crimean Peninsula

Interests: Fishing, golf, sports, travel

Spaceflights: Exps. 29 and 30

Bio: http://go.nasa.gov/1Dmd1Yd 

Twitter: @AntonAstrey

Anton Shkaplerov (Roscosmos) – Flight Engineer

(SHKAP-luh-roff)

Born: Baltimore

Interests: Astronomy, baseball, coaching youth sports

Spaceflights: STS-130

Bio: http://go.nasa.gov/w1eH1s

Twitter: @AstroTerry

Terry Virts (NASA) – Commander 

(Verts)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center

Houston, Texas 77058

www.nasa.gov

NP-2015-03-011-JSC

International

Space Station

Mission

Summary

Fluid Shifts Before, During and After Prolonged Space Flight 

and Their Association with Intracranial Pressure and Visual 

Impairment (Fluid Shifts)

Scientists believe fluid shifts into an astronaut’s head during spaceflight 

lead to increased pressure in the brain. This also may cause pressure to 

the back of the eye, causing the eye to change shape. The Fluid Shifts 

investigation measures how much fluid moves from the lower body to 

the upper body, in or out of cells and blood vessels, and determines the 

impact these shifts have on fluid pressure in the head, changes in vision 

and eye structures. The study results will help improve researchers’ 

understanding of how blood pressure in the brain affects eye shape and 

vision. This knowledge may benefit people on Earth with disease states 

that include swelling and pressure to the brain or who are confined to 

bed rest. Results also could help scientists develop preventive measures 

against changes in astronauts’ vision and eye damage. 

Biochemical Profile (Biochem Profile)

Another One-Year Mission study will allow 

for quicker response to researchers’ 

requests for spaceflight data about 

the effects of microgravity on human 

physiology. Through the collection, 

processing and storage of crew member 

blood and urine samples, the Biochem 

Profile investigation will establish a 

database of biomedical data to be shared 

among multi-disciplinary researchers 

and medical operations that assess the 

effects of spaceflight on humans. This 

data can be used to provide information 

about medical risks during long-duration 

space travel and to evaluate potential 

countermeasures established to protect 

crew health. With greater understanding 

of how various physiological systems 

respond to changing gravity conditions, 

physicians may be able to design new treatments for people on Earth 

with limited mobility.

The hexagon (six-sided) shape of the Expedition 43 patch represents the six 

crew members living and working onboard the orbital outpost. The International 

Space Station is portrayed in orbit around Earth, representing the multi-national 

partnership that has constructed, developed and continues to operate the space 

station for the benefit of all humankind. The sunrise marks the beginning of a new 

day, reflecting the fact that humanity is at the dawn of its history as a space faring 

species. The moon and planets represent future exploration of the solar system, for 

which the space station is a stepping stone. Finally, the five stars honor the crews 

who have lost their lives during the pursuit of human spaceflight. 

THE MISSION PATCH:

Meteor Composition Determination (Meteor)

The Meteor investigation, originally slated for delivery on the failed 

Orbital Cygnus Commercial 

Resupply Services-3 

mission, will now be part 

of Expedition 43 research 

and will enable the first 

space-based observations 

of meteors entering Earth’s 

atmosphere from space. 

Meteor uses high-resolution 

video and image analysis 

of the atmosphere to 

determine the physical 

and chemical properties 

of the meteoroid dust, 

such as size, density and 

chemical composition. The 

study of meteoroid dust from the space station provides information 

about the parent comets and asteroids. Researchers investigate 

the elemental composition of meteors to better understand how the 

planets developed. Continuous measurement of meteor interactions 

with Earth’s atmosphere could spot previously unforeseen meteors and 

help protect spacecraft and Earth from potential collisions with this 

celestial debris.

Synthetic Muscle: Resistance to Radiation; Ras Labs-CASISISS Project for Synthetic Muscle: Resistance to Radiation 

(Synthetic Muscle)

The Synthetic Muscle investigation tests a specific type of polymer 

developed by Ras Labs in Quincy, Massachusetts. The polymer 

contracts and expands similar to real muscle. Since robots can 

perform tasks too dangerous for humans in space, building robots 

with synthetic muscle could create more humanoid robots with greater 

dexterity. The synthetic muscle will be tested with a variety of additives 

and coatings aboard the space station to make sure it can withstand 

radiation exposure encountered in microgravity. Results from this study 

may allow researchers to design more durable robots for deep space 

travel and could improve robotics and prosthetics on Earth.

A Perseid meteor streaks through 

the Earth's atmosphere, as seen and 

photographed by astronaut Ron Garan while 

aboard the International Space Station on 

August 13, 2011

Japanese Aerospace 

Exploration Agency astronaut 

Aki Hoshide finishes his blood 

draw and prepares to spin 

the blood tubes in the Human 

Research Facility Rack 2 

Refrigerated Centrifuge during 

Expedition 32 aboard the 

International Space Station. 

NASA/PHOTO ISS028E024847

NASA/PHOTO