National Aeronautics and Space Administration

International Space Station

EXPEDITION 66began in October 2021 and ends in March 2022. This expedition will includeresearch investigations focused on biology, Earth science, human research, 

physical sciences and technology development, providing the foundation for continuing human spaceflight beyond low-Earth orbit to the 

Moon and Mars. 

THE CREW:

During Expedition 66, crew members will conduct experiments that could 

help us identify new materials with innate antimicrobial properties that 

could be used in designing future space craft. New hydrogen sensors will be 

tested on the station’s oxygen generation system to determine their stability 

over time. Astronauts will also manufacture optical fibers in microgravity, 

and contribute to research aimed at improving the infectious disease risk 

assessment for astronauts. 

THE SCIENCE:

What are some investigations 

the crew is operating?

Born: Khabarovsk, Russia

Spaceflights: Exp. 65

Bio: https://go.nasa.gov/30hV6am

Pyotr Dubrov (Roscosmos) – Flight Engineer

[MISSION SUMMARY]

Born: Sevastopol, Crimea

Spaceflights: Exp. 29/30, 42/43, 54/55

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

Anton Shkaplerov (Roscosmos) –Commander

Born: Falls Church, Virginia

Spaceflights: Exp. 53/54, 65

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

Twitter: @Astro_Sabot

Mark Vande Hei (NASA) – Flight Engineer

Born: Pocatello, Idaho

Spaceflights: First flight

Bio: https://go.nasa.gov/3Cm1cV4

Instagram: @astro_kayla

Kayla Barron (NASA) – Flight Engineer

Born: Statesville, North Carolina

Spaceflights: STS-127, Exp. 34/35

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

Twitter: @AstroMarshburn

Tom Marshburn (NASA) – Flight Engineer

Born: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Spaceflights: First flight 

Bio: https://go.nasa.gov/3lKpJfB

Twitter: @Astro_Raja

Raja Chari (NASA) – Flight Engineer

Born: Sankt Wendel, Germany

Spaceflights: First flight

Bio: https://go.nasa.gov/2Z69fH4

Twitter: @astro_matthias

Matthias Maurer (ESA) – Flight Engineer
National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center

Houston, Texas 77058

www.nasa.gov

NP-2021-00-000-JSC

International

Space Station

Mission

Summary

■ Fiber Optic Production-2

Fiber Optic Production-2 (FOP-2) builds on previous work to manufacture 

commercial optical fibers in microgravity using a blend of elements called 

ZBLAN. Earlier theoretical and experimental studies suggest that ZBLAN 

optical fibers produced in microgravity exhibit qualities superior to those 

of fibers produced on Earth. Results from FOP-2 could help further verify 

these studies and guide manufacture of high value optical fiber aboard 

the space station for commercial use.

Advanced Hydrogen Sensor Technology Demonstration

The Advanced Hydrogen Sensor Technology Demonstration (OGA H2 

Sensor Demo) tests new sensors for the International Space Station’s 

Oxygen Generation Assembly (OGA). The OGA produces breathable 

oxygen via electrolysis and has sensors for detecting hydrogen to protect 

it from failures. These current sensors, which are used to ensure that 

no hydrogen enters the oxygen product stream into the cabin, have 

sensitivity to humidity and drift over time, however, which limits their 

operational life. New sensors will be tested downstream of the existing 

OGA system in order to determine their stability over time; if these 

sensors prove to be superior to the current ones they may be integrated 

into the Advanced OGA which is geared for exploration missions.

Host Pathogen

The Host Pathogen investigation focuses on better understanding the 

relationship between increased microbial virulence and reductions 

in immune cell function during microgravity/spaceflight conditions. 

In spaceflight analogue conditions, bacteria and immune cells from 

healthy, ground-based test subjects are cultured to observe immune 

cell response, while for spaceflight, ten crew members provide blood 

and saliva samples to assess their primary immune cells for alterations 

in host response. The results from this study are expected to aid in 

development of health countermeasures and improve the infectious 

disease risk assessment for astronauts. 

ESA Biofilms-II

The goal of the Biofilm Inhibition On Flight Equipment and On Board 

the ISS Using Microbiologically Lethal Metal Surfaces (ESA-Biofilms) 

investigation is to compare how biofilms are formed in low gravity, in a 

liquid environment on inhibiting and non-inhibiting metal surfaces, for 

the purposes of spacecraft sanitation and crew health. Various species 

of bacteria exposed to microgravity, simulated Martian gravity and Earth 

gravity are tested not only on different metallic surfaces (copper, stainless 

steel and brass), but also on an array of different laser-etched surface 

treatments to ascertain whether or not topological differences influence 

biofilm formation in space.

The Expedition 66 patch celebrates the continued utilization of the International Space Station 

as a path for human and scientific space exploration. Its shape reflects the Route 66 highway 

sign, which once guided an earlier expansion into distant, remote lands. The arc of the Earth’s 

atmosphere is reminiscent of the well-known stop-motion photos taken by astronauts and 

cosmonauts of the Earth in eclipse. Two future destinations are depicted, the Moon resting inside 

one of the numerals, and Mars to the right. A multicolored bridge containing the colors of each 

of this mission’s international partner’s flags (Russia, Germany, France, Japan, and the United 

States) draws the viewer from the perimeter of the patch into the numeral 66 just as the space 

station bridges the gap from low-Earth orbit to these distant exploration destinations.

Credits: NASA

THE MISSION PATCH: