A spokesperson for the Gagarin Astronaut Training Center told RIA Novosti that at Baikonur, the crew would check their Soyuz-TMA spacecraft to make sure that the autonomy and the docking system were in good order and that the armchairs were adjusted to match their height and weight. They are also expected to examine the spacesuits they will be wearing on their two-day journey to the ISS.
The men are to spend just one day at Baikonur this time around. On Monday they return to Star City, outside Moscow, to complete their training session, the interviewee said. On April 9, they will be off to the launching site again. The mission starts April 15.
Each of the astronauts is taking along something to remind him of home. Vittori, for one, never parts with his mascot, a tiny toy rabbit his wife gave him some eighteen years ago. This rabbit accompanied the Italian to his missions as a test pilot and on his first mission to the ISS, as well. Another thing to connect him with Earth during his space sojourn will be a reproduction of Leonardo's "Mona Lisa."
Krikalev, commander of the 11th six-month ISS expedition, said he was taking along a photo of his favorite actor, Kirill Lavrov. When the mission is over, he will return the picture, he said. Lavrov is turning 80 soon, and a photo that has been to outer space will make a good birthday present.
As for Phillips, the 11th crew's flight engineer, he is going to travel with two wedding rings-his own and his wife's.
