National Aeronautics and Space Administration

International Space Station

EXPEDITION 55 began in February 2018 and ends in April 2018. This expedition includes Earth sciences, biology, technology demonstrations, materials science, and physics. 

At least two spacewalks are already planned during Expedition 55. 

Soyuz MS-08 Launch: March 2018 • August 2018

THE CREW:

Soyuz MS-07 Launch: December 2017 • Landing: April 2018

During Expedition 55, researchers will study Earth atmospherics, the 

effects of microgravity on bone marrow, materials’ responses to space 

environments, and biological samples’ responses to simulated gravity.

THE SCIENCE:

What are 

some of the 

investigations 

the crew is 

operating?

Born: Riga, Latvia

Spaceflights: Exps. 39/40

Bio: https://go.nasa.gov/2CtLpsm

Twitter: @OlegMKS

Oleg Artemyev (Roscosmos) – Flight Engineer

[MISSION SUMMARY]

Born: Lake Orion, Michigan

Interests: auto restoration, automotive and motorcycle 

racing, guitar, water and snow skiing 

Spaceflights: STS-125, STS-134

Bio: https://go.nasa.gov/2BRKlxn

Twitter: @Astro_Feustel

A.J. (Drew) Feustel (NASA) – Flight Engineer

Born: Cheverly, Maryland

Interests: running, fishing, reading, kayaking, bicycling, 

guitar

Spaceflights: STS-119 

Bio: https://go.nasa.gov/2BUf7FJ

Twitter: @Astro_Ricky

Ricky Arnold (NASA) – Flight Engineer

Born: Attleboro, Massachusetts

Spaceflights: Exps. 54/55 is his first spaceflight 

Bio: https://go.nasa.gov/2z2tjKW

Twitter: @Astro_Maker

Scott Tingle (NASA) – Flight Engineer

Born: Tokyo, Japan 

Spaceflights: Exps. 54/55 is his first spaceflight

Bio: https://go.nasa.gov/2z2hpkj

Norishige Kanai (JAXA) – Flight Engineer

Born: Sevastopol, Crimean Region, Ukraine

Interests: fishing, golf, sports, travel

Spaceflights: Exps. 29/30, 42/43

Bio: https://go.nasa.gov/2z2bhZu

Twitter: @Anton_Astrey

Anton Shkaplerov (Roscosmos) – Flight Engineer
National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center

Houston, Texas 77058

www.nasa.gov

NP-2018-03-005-JSC

International

Space Station

Mission

Summary

Studying Our Atmosphere for Thunder and Lightning

The Atmosphere-Space Interactions Monitor (ASIM) will observe Earth 

from outside the International Space Station. It will look for severe 

thunderstorms, which track upper-atmospheric lightning suggested to 

result from run-away electron discharge. This form of lightning occurs 

well above normal lightning or storm clouds and observation will tell 

scientists more about the role of severe thunderstorms in Earth’s 

atmosphere and climate. 

■ Testing Microgravity’s Impact on Bone Marrow

Scientists believe that microgravity may have a negative impact on 

bone marrow and the blood cells it produces. On Earth, long-duration 

bed rest can impact patients’ bone marrow and something similar may 

happen in microgravity. The Bone Marrow Adipose Reaction: Red or 

White (MARROW) investigation will measure the extent microgravity’s 

impact on bone marrow and its blood cells as well as study the recovery 

process. The results of this investigation will benefit both health and 

space research.

 

Studying Materials’ Reactions to Space

The Materials ISS Experiment Flight Facility (MISSE-FF) will support 

testing of materials, coatings and components in the harsh environment 

of space. This Alpha Space developed platform will be accessible to 

the private sector and government organizations and leverage the lowEarth orbit (LEO) environment to support integrated testing materials’ 

reaction to ultraviolet radiation (UV), atomic oxygen (AO), ionizing 

radiation, ultrahigh vacuum (UHV), charged particles, thermal cycles, 

electromagnetic radiation, and micro-meteoroids.

Simulating Gravity aboard the Space Station

Developed by Techshot, the Multi-use Variable-g Platform (MVP) can 

simulate up to 2 g of artificial gravity with two internal carousels that spin 

simultaneously. MVP will be used aboard the space station to research a 

wide variety of sample types, such as fruit flies, flatworms, plants, fish, 

cells, protein crystals, and many others. 

The six crew members of Expedition 55 are patriots from three different countries – Japan, 

Russia, and the United States. The crew from these three countries will work together to 

ensure the success of Expedition 55.

The three rings symbolize the three countries of the six crew members. The rings join in a 

common intersection, symbolizing collaboration and a common focus for the crew aboard 

the space station. The colors of the rings represent the energy and power required to 

carry humans and equipment into space and to operate the ISS. The colors blue and green 

represent the magnificent beauty of Earth. The color black represents the darkness of space, 

and the immense challenge of exploring space. The six stars represent the crew, Norishige 

Kanai, Scott Tingle, Anton Shkaplerov, A.J. (Drew) Feustel, Oleg Artemyev, and Ricky 

Arnold. The three flags are the flags representing each crew member’s country. The swoosh 

extending upward towards space represents the dedication of cosmonauts, astronauts and a 

multinational support team working together to explore space and discover new science that 

will benefit all humans.

THE MISSION PATCH: