National Aeronautics and Space Administration

International Space Station

EXPEDITION 50Expedition 50 began October 30, 2016 and ends April 10, 2017. This expedition

includes biotechnological research, human research and Earth and space science. 

Two spacewalks are tentatively planned during Expedition 50.

During Expedition 50, researchers will investigate how lighting can change the 

overall health and well-being of crew members, how microgravity can affect the 

genetic properties of space-grown plants, and how microgravity impacts tissue 

regeneration in humans.

Soyuz MS-03 Launch: November 17, 2016 • Landing: Spring 2017

THE CREW:

Soyuz MS-02 Launch: October 19, 2016 • Landing: April 10, 2017 

THE SCIENCE:

What are 

some of the 

investigations 

the crew is 

operating?

Born: Mount Ayr, Iowa

Interests: weightlifting, biking, basketball and water 

skiing

Spaceflights: STS-111, STS – 113, Expeditions 5 and 16

Bio: http://go.nasa.gov/2eoOV8r

Twitter: @AstroPeggy

Peggy Whitson (NASA) – Flight Engineer

[MISSION SUMMARY]

Born: Bugulma, Tatarstan, Russian

Interests: sports, games and music

Spaceflights: Expedition 49

Bio: http://go.nasa.gov/2eoLUoC

Sergey Ryzhikov (Roscosmos) – Flight Engineer

Born: Killeen, Texas

Interests: baseball, golf, weightlifting and running 

Spaceflights: STS-126, Expedition 49

Bio: http://go.nasa.gov/2eoHfTG

Twitter: @astro_kimbrough

Instagram: @astro_kimbrough

Robert Shane Kimbrough (NASA) – Commander

Born: Cherven, Minsk Region, Belorussia

Interests: football, tourism, hunting, fishing, table tennis 

and reading

Spaceflights: Expeditions 33 and 34 

Bio: http://go.nasa.gov/2eoGOsu 

Oleg Novitskiy (Roscomos) – Flight Engineer

Born: Rouen, France

Interests: basketball, jogging, swimming, squash, mountain

biking, kite surfing, skiing, sailing and mountaineering

Spaceflights: Expedition 50 marks his first space station 

mission

Bio: http://go.nasa.gov/YSS3Jl

Twitter: @thom_astro

Instagram: @thom_astro

Thomas Pesquet (ESA) – Flight Engineer

Born: Leningrad, Russia

Interests: fishing, badminton and road trips

Spaceflights: Expeditions 27, 28, and 49

Bio: http://go.nasa.gov/2eoOoDC

Andrey Borisenko (Roscosmos) – Flight Engineer
National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center 

Houston, Texas 77058

www.nasa.gov

NP-2016-11-021-JSC

International

Space Station

Mission

Summary

Tissue Regeneration-Bone Defect

Only a few animals, such as tadpoles and salamanders, can regrow a lost 

limb, but the onset of this process exists in all vertebrates. Tissue 

Regeneration-Bone Defect (Rodent Research-4 (CASIS)), a U.S. National 

Laboratory investigation sponsored by the Center for the Advancement of 

Science in Space (CASIS), studies what prevents other vertebrates such 

as rodents and humans from regrowing lost bone and tissue, and how 

microgravity conditions impact the process. Results will provide a new 

understanding of the biological reasons behind the inability for humans to 

grow a lost limb at the wound site, and could lead to tissue regeneration 

efforts in space. 

 Crew members in orbit often experience reduced bone density and 

muscle mass, a potential consequence of microgravity-induced 

stress. Previous research indicates that reduced gravity can promote 

cell growth, making microgravity a potentially viable environment for 

tissue regeneration research. Results could ultimately lead to tissue 

regeneration, which would be of great benefit to civilians and military 

patients who have lost limbs.

■ Lighting Effects

Spaceflight exposes crew members to environments that are not 

conducive to a typical day-night sleep and wake schedule, or circadian 

rhythm. In fact, crew members aboard the International Space Station see 

16 sunrises each day, which can impact their sleep schedules. Abnormal 

day lengths, late-night work hours, and shifting time zones abruptly can 

all lead to circadian misalignment, which can reduce sleep quality and 

quantity, and impair alertness, reaction time and cognition, and increase 

the risk of fatigue-related accidents on the station. 

The Testing Solid State Lighting Countermeasures to Improve Circadian 

Adaptation, Sleep and Performance during High Fidelity Analog and Flight 

Studies for the International Space Station (Lighting Effects) investigation 

combats this challenge by replacing the current light bulbs on board the 

station with bulbs that can be adjusted for intensity and wavelength 

The Expedition 50 patch encompasses the spirit of human exploration from previous 

missions to the moon to current exploration on the International Space Station (ISS). 

The red border symbolizes future human exploration of Mars – the Red Planet. Our

home planet Earth is prominent in the patch to remind us that everything done on the

mission is to help people on Earth – “Off the Earth, For the Earth.” The background

colors of red, white, and blue represent the national colors of all six crew members

– United States, Russia, and France. The six stars represent the families of all six

crewmembers. Finally, the numeral 50 signifies the 50th Expedition to the ISS.

THE MISSION PATCH:

throughout the day. Research has shown that monochromatic and narrowbandwidth short-wavelength blue lights are effective in suppressing 

nocturnal melatonin, phase-shifting the internal circadian pacemaker and 

enhancing alertness and performance. The enrichment of white-appearing 

light in the blue portion of the spectrum has strong potential as a safe, 

non-pharmacological countermeasure to reduce the risk of circadian 

misalignment and performance deficits in space. Results from this 

investigation could lead to a better understanding of how electric lighting 

can be used to improve alertness during waking hours and promote sleep 

during evening hours, both on ground and in orbit. 

Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment III

The SAGE program is one of NASA’s longest running Earth-observing 

programs, providing continuous, long-term data to help scientists better 

understand and care for Earth’s atmosphere. SAGE was first operated in 

1979 following the Stratospheric Aerosol Measurement, on the ApolloSoyuz mission. 

SAGE III, an investigation developed by Ball Aerospace and 

Technologies Corporation, ESA (the European Space Agency), 

Thales Alenia Space – Italia, and NASA’s Langley Research Center, 

will measure stratospheric ozone, aerosols, and other trace gases 

by locking onto the sun or moon and scanning a thin profile of 

the atmosphere. In addition to measuring the key components of 

the atmosphere, SAGE III also will measure temperatures in the 

stratosphere and mesosphere, as well as profiles of trace gases. 

Understanding these measurements will allow national and 

international leaders to make informed policy decisions regarding the 

protection and preservation of Earth’s atmosphere. When the ozone 

is damaged, all of Earth’s inhabitants, including humans, plants and 

animals, are exposed to more harmful sun rays, which can cause longterm problems such as cataracts, cancer and reduced crop yield.