MISSION/STUDY INFORMATION

The Expedition 26 mission began with half of the expedition crew, one US astronaut and two Russian cosmonauts, launching to the International Space Station on November 26, 2010, onboard Soyuz TMA-01M. The remainder of the crew, a US astronaut, an ESA astronaut and a Russian cosmonaut, arrived on Dec 17, 2010, when Soyuz TMA-20 docked with the International Space Station.

During their mission, the crewmembers worked on more than 150 microgravity experiments in human research; biology and biotechnology; physical and materials sciences; technology development; and Earth and space sciences. A quick succession of international space vehicles arrived on the station's loading docks during Expedition 26. The Japanese Kounotori2, or "white stork," H-II Transfer Vehicle 2; the Russian cargo ship Progress 41; the European Jules Verne Automated Transfer Vehicle; and space shuttle Discovery delivered more than 11 tons of supplies necessary for working and living aboard ISS. Expedition 26 ended on March 16, 2011.