Image above: From left, Brazilian astronaut Marcos Pontes, Expedition 13 Commander Pavel Vinogradov and Flight Engineer Jeffrey Williams. Image credit: NASA

Expedition 13's ham radio duo prepare for their
March 29 launch

Expedition 13 Commander Pavel Vinogradov RV3BS and Flight Engineer Jeffrey Williams KD5TVQ are in Kazakhstan awaiting a March 29 launch at 9:30 p.m. EST to the International Space Station.

They will arrive at the station March 31 at 11:19 p.m. Joining them for the ride up is Brazilian astronaut Marcos Pontes. Brazil’s first astronaut, Pontes, will return home with Expedition 12 on April 8.

The Expedition 12 crew, Commander Bill McArthur KC5ACR and Flight Engineer Valery Tokarev, are winding down their stay and readying the station for the arrival of its newest crewmembers.

Expedition 12 undocks from the station April 8 at 4:28 EDT and will land in Kazakhstan at 7:46 p.m.

• A message from Bill McArthur

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