National Aeronautics and Space Administration

International Space Station

EXPEDITION 42began Nov. 10, 2014 and ends March 11, 2015. This expedition will include research projects focusing on the effects of microgravity on cells, Earth 

observation, physical science and biological and molecular science. There are three U.S. spacewalks planned during Expedition 42.

Observation of the genetic makeup of roundworms, aerosols in the atmosphere, levitating 

cooling liquid metals and immune cell repair in organisms are some of the highlights of 

the research to be conducted during Expedition 42. Organisms like roundworms, blue 

mussels and rodents will be used to examine the impacts of the space environment on their 

development, growth, and physiological and aging processes. This can lead to understanding 

better certain diseases and issues associated with human health.

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

THE CREW:

Soyuz TMA-14M • Launch: Sept. 25, 2014 • Landing: March 2015

THE SCIENCE:

"What are 

some of the 

investigations 

the crew is 

working on?"

[MISSION SUMMARY]

Born: Penza, Russia

Interests: Ice hockey, travel

Spaceflights: Exps. 27 and 28

Bio: http://go.nasa.gov/1Ad0gxC

Alexander Samokutyaev (Roscosmos) – Flight Engineer

(Sah-moe-koo-tee-YAH-yehv)

Born: Vozdvizhenka, Russia

Interests: Economics, flying

Spaceflights: Exps. 41 and 42 mark her first missions

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

Elena Serova (Roscosmos) – Flight Engineer

(Suh-ROH-vuh)

Born: Mt. Juliet, Tennessee

Interests: Football, flying 

Spaceflights: STS-129

Bio: http://go.nasa.gov/tdaz79

Barry “Butch” Wilmore (NASA) – Commander

(Wil-more)

Born: Milan

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

Spaceflights: Exps. 42 and 43 mark her first missions

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

Twitter: @AstroSamantha

Samantha Cristoforetti (ESA) – Flight Engineer

(Cris-ta-four-REHT-ee)

Born: Sevastopol

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) – Flight Engineer 

(Verts)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center

Houston, Texas 77058

www.nasa.gov

NP-2014-11-019-JSC

International

Space Station

Mission

Summary

Epigenetics in Space flown C. elegans (Epigenetics)

Epigenetics means "outside the genes," or changes that can be 

inherited for several generations without affecting an organism's 

basic DNA. This Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency study may help 

determine if the effects of microgravity are transmitted from one cell 

generation to another without changing the basic DNA of an organism. 

Researchers study millimeter-long roundworms (C. elegans) as models 

for larger organisms. In this investigation, four generations of the worms 

are grown aboard the space station, with adults from each generation 

preserved for later study on Earth.

Cloud-Aerosol Transport System (CATS)

The CATS study examines the location, composition and distribution 

of aerosols – the particles that compose haze, dust, smoke and 

air pollutants – in the atmosphere. Aerosols are the atmospheric 

constituents that can affect weather, climate, airplane safety and human 

health. The CATS instrument measures aerosols using a light detection 

and ranging (LIDAR) system that is externally mounted on the space 

station. With the data, scientists may gain an improved understanding 

of the structure and 

evolution of Earth's 

atmosphere. This can 

lead to enhancements to 

spacecraft launch, landing 

and communications 

systems; help guide future 

atmospheric investigations 

of Mars, Jupiter or other 

worlds; and may help 

researchers model and 

predict climate changes 

on Earth.

The Expedition 42 crew wrote the description that follows: The rectangular-shaped 

design portrays the International Space Station orbiting planet Earth with its solar 

array wings spread wide. Facing the sun with the lower left outboard solar array 

feathered, the left array portrays a prominent number "4" and the fully deployed 

arrays on the right form the Roman numeral version of "2." This signifies the two 

increment crews which, together, comprise the six-member international Expedition 

42 crew. The crew and all supporting personnel around the world are also 

represented by the six stars adorning the sky around the complex. 

THE MISSION PATCH:

Roughly the size of a refrigerator, the 

CATS instrument will provide more 

detailed information about the particles in 

Earth's atmosphere. Image Credit: NASA

Electromagnetic Levitator 

(EML)

The EML suite of material 

science investigations 

examines the effects of 

microgravity on various 

material properties. The EML 

acts as a furnace capable 

of levitating and heating 

metals up to 3,632 degrees 

Fahrenheit. Having such a 

facility in microgravity will 

allow scientists to observe 

the fundamental physical 

processes that occur as 

liquid metals cool. A potential outcome from EML research is the 

development of lighter, higher-performing alloys – mixtures of two or 

more metals or a metal and another material – for use on Earth and 

in space travel. 

Gene, Immune and Cellular Responses to Single and 

Combined Space Flight Conditions - B (TripleLux-B) 

Gaining a better understanding of the effects of spaceflight at 

the cellular level of an organism may help scientists develop 

countermeasures to combat impairment of immune function in 

crew members on future long-duration missions. The TripleLux-B 

investigation compares the immune cells of blue mussels and rodents 

to determine how those cells fight bacteria and repair themselves 

after exposure to radiation and microgravity. 

Metallic Silver 

51001

P Cool Gray 4C

White

Silver Gray

50448

P Cool Gray 8C

Metallic Gold

51000

P 116C

Flag Blue 

50037

P 2757C

Expedition 42

FINAL 4-23-13

Medium Blue 

50613 

P 2935C

Basic Black 

50080

P Process Black C

The new electromagnetic levitator on 

the International Space Station suspends 

liquid metals in weightlessness as they 

cool and solidify. Image credit: German 

Aerospace Center, DLR