The Expedition 42/43 prime and backup crewmembers raised the flags of Russia the U.S. Italy and Kazakhstan in traditional ceremonies.

At their Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, the Expedition 42/43 prime and backup crewmembers raised the flags of Russia, the U.S., Italy and Kazakhstan in traditional ceremonies Nov. 13. From left to right are prime crewmember Anton Shkaplerov of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and his backup, Oleg Kononenko, prime crewmember Terry Virts of NASA and his backup, Kjell Lindgren of NASA, prime crewmember Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency (partially hidden) and backup crewmember Kimiya Yui of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. Virts, Shkaplerov and Cristoforetti will launch Nov. 24, Kazakh time, from Baikonur on the Soyuz TMA-15M spacecraft for a 5 ½ month mission on the International Space Station.

NASA/Victor Ivanov