National Aeronautics and Space Administration

International Space Station

EXPEDITION 54 began in December 2017 and ends in February 2018. This expedition includesbiology and biotechnology, technology demonstrations, astrophysics, and 

materials science. Three spacewalks are tentatively planned during Expedition 54. 

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

THE CREW:

Soyuz MS-06 Launch: September 2017 • Landing: February 2018

During Expedition 54, researchers will study bacteria, manufacture 

fiber optics in microgravity, measure the total amount of sunlight Earth 

receives, gather data on space debris in low-Earth orbit, and study selfreplicating materials.

THE SCIENCE:

What are 

some of the 

investigations 

the crew is 

operating?

Born: Inglewood, California 

Interests: camping, hiking, biking, kayaking and scuba 

diving

Spaceflights: STS-119, Exps. 31/32

Bio: https://go.nasa.gov/2vA7vWu

Twitter: @AstroAcaba

Joseph Acaba (NASA) – Flight Engineer

[MISSION SUMMARY]

Born: Yershichi, Smolensk Region, Russia

Interests: badminton, basketball, downhill skiing, 

carting

Spaceflights: Exps. 35/36

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

Aleksandr Misurkin (Roscomos) – Commander

Born: Falls Church, Virginia

Interests: exercise, camping, windsurfing and reading

Spaceflights: Exps. 53/54 is his first spaceflight

Bio: https://go.nasa.gov/2vzY0a8

Twitter: @Astro_Sabot

Mark T. Vande Hei (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-2017-12-029JSC

International

Space Station

Mission

Summary

Investigation tests bacterial antibiotic resistance in 

microgravity 

Antibiotic resistance could pose a danger to astronauts, especially since 

microgravity has been shown to weaken human immune response. E. 

coli AntiMicrobial Satellite (EcAMSat) will study microgravity’s effect on 

bacterial antibiotic resistance. The experiment will expose two strains of 

E. coli, one with a resistance gene, the other without, to three different 

doses of antibiotics, then examine the viability of each group. Results 

from this investigation could contribute to determining appropriate 

antibiotic dosages to protect astronaut health during long-duration human 

spaceflight and help us understand how antibiotic effectiveness may 

change as a function of stress on Earth.

■ Testing Alternative Fibers

Optical Fiber Production in Microgravity (Made in Space Fiber Optics), 

a U.S. National Lab investigation sponsored by the Center for the 

Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS), demonstrates the benefits of 

manufacturing fiber optic filaments in a microgravity environment.

This investigation will attempt to pull fiber optic wire from ZBLAN, a 

heavy metal fluoride glass commonly used to make fiber optic glass. 

When ZBLAN is solidified on Earth, its atomic structure tends to form 

into crystals. Research indicates that ZBLAN fiber pulled in microgravity 

may not crystalize as much, giving it better optical qualities than the 

silica used in most fiber optic wire. Results from this investigation could 

lead to the production of higher-quality fiber optic products both in 

space and on Earth.

Tracking Earth’s Sunshine from Space

NASA's Total and Spectral Solar Irradiance Sensor (TSIS) will measure 

the sun's energy input to Earth. Various satellites have captured a 

continuous record of this solar energy input to Earth since 1978. 

TSIS-1 sensors advance previous measurements with three times the 

accuracy, enabling scientists to study the sun’s natural influence on 

Earth’s ozone layer, atmospheric circulation, clouds, and ecosystems. 

These observations are essential for a scientific understanding of the 

effects of solar variability on the Earth system.

Monitoring Orbital Debris

The Space Debris Sensor (SDS) will directly measure the orbital debris 

environment around the space station for two to three years. Mounted on 

the exterior of the station, this one square meter sensor uses dual-layer 

thin films, an acoustic sensor system, a resistive grid sensor system 

and a sensored backstop to provide near-real-time impact detection and 

recording. Research from this investigation could help lower the risk to 

human life and critical hardware by orbital debris. 

Self-assembling and Self-replicating materials

The Advanced Colloids Experiment- Temperature-7 (ACE-T-7) 

investigation involves the design and assembly of 3-D structures from 

small particles suspended in a fluid medium, structures that are vital 

to the design of advanced optical materials and electronic devices. 

Future space exploration may use self-assembly and self-replication to 

make materials and devices that can repair themselves on long duration 

missions.

Orbiting Earth continuously since 1998, the International Space Station (ISS) is one of 

our greatest engineering achievements. It is depicted in gold, symbolic of constancy 

and excellence. Flying toward a sunrise represents the station’s contributions to a bright 

future. That sunrise uses blue, white, and red, the combined national colors of Japan, 

Russia, and the United States, symbolizing the crew’s cohesiveness. Crewmember names 

are in blue, symbolizing devotion and loyalty. The gold border represents the constant 

human presence in space onboard the orbiting laboratory. Symbolic of new Russian and 

U.S. spacecraft that will advance human exploration, the patch is shaped as a capsule. 

The number 54 is drawn as a path eventually leading to Mars. Finally, the stars symbolize 

the values of leadership, trust, teamwork, and excellence lived by mission control teams 

throughout the history of human space programs, as well as the global vigilance of those 

teams while operating the station.

THE MISSION PATCH:

TINGLE KANAI

ACABA

VANDE

HEI