New ISS expedition to carry out 44 experiments in space

17 ноября 2016

A new expedition under Belarusian cosmonaut Oleg Novitsky is set to head to the International Space Station in about three hours. This will be the second space mission for Novitsky, who is going to take Belarus’ flag into orbit with him. The crew also consists of American Peggy Whitson and France’s Thomas Pesquet. The launch is scheduled for 23:20, Minsk time.

Prior to the flight, the participants of the 50th expedition watered signature trees traditionally planted before the first flight in the Cosmonauts Alley. Oleg Novitsky’s tree was planted there in 2012. The trip to Baikonur was traditionally accompanied by the song Grass by the Home.

The expedition is planned to carry out 44 experiments in space. On their way to the station, the crew will test the Soyuz spacecraft’s new systems. Docking to the ISS is scheduled for 20 November. Novitsky’s crew will spend six months in orbit.