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| Expedition 44 | |
|---|---|
| Name | Expedition 44 |
| Mission type | Long-duration mission to the International Space Station |
| Operator | Roscosmos / NASA |
| Launch | 23 June 2015 |
| Launch site | Baikonur Cosmodrome |
| Landing | 11 September 2015 |
| Landing site | Kazakhstan |
Expedition 44 Expedition 44 was a long-duration crewed mission to the International Space Station conducted in 2015. The increment followed Expedition 43 and preceded Expedition 45, supporting operations aboard the Zvezda and Harmony modules while coordinating with visiting vehicles from Roscosmos, SpaceX, and JAXA. The crew conducted scientific research in microgravity, performed extravehicular activities, and hosted technology demonstrations tied to programs such as Commercial Crew Program and Boeing CST-100 Starliner development.
Expedition 44 maintained continuous human presence aboard the International Space Station during a period of international cooperation among NASA, Roscosmos, European Space Agency, JAXA, and Canadian Space Agency. The increment operated within the framework established by the Intergovernmental Agreement on Space Station Cooperation and supported resupply missions including the Progress and SpaceX Dragon flights. Activities emphasized research for the International Space Station Research Program, integration with the Commercial Resupply Services architecture, and support for long-duration exploration planning influenced by concepts from the Orion (spacecraft) program and Deep Space Gateway studies.
The Expedition 44 crew comprised six crew members representing multiple agencies: a commander from JAXA, flight engineers from NASA, Roscosmos, and European Space Agency. Members included personnel who had backgrounds associated with Soyuz MS crew rotations, prior assignments on Expedition 41, Expedition 42, and training at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center. The flight roster reflected multinational selection practices similar to those used for crews of the Space Shuttle and for participants in the Skylab and Mir programs.
Primary objectives included maintaining station systems on Zarya (module), conducting experiments from the U.S. Laboratory Module Destiny and Kibo (ISS module), and validating procedures for long-duration habitation outlined by NASA Human Research Program. The increment supported investigations relevant to the Bone Demineralization studies, Muscle Atrophy countermeasures tied to protocols from the International Space Medicine Association, and life support testing connected to Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) upgrades. Crew also prioritized outreach tasks in coordination with the European Space Agency Education Office and collaborative projects with the Canadian Space Agency such as robotics work related to the Canadarm2.
Transit and return were managed by Soyuz TMA-?? spacecraft for crew rotation and by Progress MS vehicles for cargo resupply arriving at the Poisk docking port. Visiting vehicles during the increment included the SpaceX CRS-7 lineage follow-ons and experimental payloads from JAXA and the European Space Agency. Onboard equipment included the Microgravity Science Glovebox, Columbus (ISS module), Kibo Remote Manipulator System, and hardware maintained in the Tranquility node. Power and thermal regulation were supported through the International Space Station electrical power system and radiators attached to the Integrated Truss Structure.
The increment began with handover operations following undocking events connected to the previous rotation and concluded with a planned crew return to Kazakhstan. Key milestones included arrival and departure of several cargo ships, execution of multiple EVAs for maintenance, and on-orbit education events. The crew followed a schedule balanced between ongoing science, maintenance of the Thermal Control System, and coordination with ground teams at Mission Control Center (MCC)-Houston and the TsUP in Moscow.
Expedition 44 hosted experiments spanning physiology, Earth observation, and materials science. Life sciences investigations included human physiology studies associated with the Advanced Diagnostic Ultrasound in Microgravity project, research linked to the Spaceflight Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome investigations, and cellular biology experiments using incubators developed with support from the European Space Agency. Materials and fluid physics work utilized the Fluids Integrated Rack and the Materials Science Laboratory, while Earth science instruments contributed data to programs like Group on Earth Observations and collaborated with researchers from institutions such as Johnson Space Center and ESA ESTEC.
Crew conducted planned EVAs to service external systems on the Integrated Truss Structure and to maintain the Extravehicular Mobility Unit suits. Tasks included replacement or inspection of components related to the P6 Truss heaters, lubrication of the Canadarm2 interfaces, and preparation of external stowage platforms used by the Japanese Experiment Module. EVA activities followed procedures standardized by NASA Extravehicular Activity protocols and relied on support from the Robotics Flight Control Team and ground-based EVA planners at Goddard Space Flight Center.
The increment contributed data and operational experience feeding into long-duration mission planning for Artemis program concepts and commercial crew integration exemplified by SpaceX Crew Dragon and Boeing Starliner flight readiness. Scientific outcomes advanced understanding in areas referenced by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine reports on human spaceflight and strengthened partnerships among agencies including NASA, Roscosmos, ESA, JAXA, and the Canadian Space Agency. Operational lessons informed subsequent station maintenance strategies during later increments and influenced the design choices for modules proposed for the Lunar Gateway.
Category:Expeditions to the International Space Station