Astronaut Edward M. (Mike) Fincke (left), Expedition 9 NASA ISS science officer and flight engineer, and cosmonaut Gennady I. Padalka, commander, pose for their crew portrait while in training at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia. Padalka represents the Russian Federal Space Agency.
The emblem represents the Ninth Expedition to the International Space Station. The Soyuz rocket and letter "X" combine into the Roman numeral IX. The "X" evokes Exploration, which is at the core of the indivisible partnership of the two space pioneering nations. Research aboard ISS will lead to human exploration of the Moon and Mars. This pursuit is strengthened by the common memory of the astronauts and cosmonauts who gave their lives in this valiant endeavour. Their stars form the leading edge of the wings of the eagle spirit that embodies Human Space Flight. The Astronaut symbol is flanked by the Expedition 9 crew names leaning together, with a "9" stylized as the plume of their rocket. The baton of great discovery is passed to the crew of the spaceship advancing to their orbital outpost.
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