Expedition 8 Mission Patch

This is official mission patch for Expedition 8 to the International Space Station. Click here for the latest mission updates. Michael Foale and Alexander Kaleri, replace Expedition 7 on the station. European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Pedro Duque of Spain, launching with the Expedition 8 crew, returns with the Expedition 7 crew.  Click here for the official NASA International Space Station Website.

Expedition 8 Commander Mike Foale was selected as an astronaut candidate by NASA in June 1987. Before his first flight he flew the Shuttle Avionics Integration Laboratory (SAIL) simulator to provide verification and testing of the Shuttle flight software, and later developed crew rescue and integrated operations for International Space Station Alpha. In preparation for a long-duration flight on the Russian Space Station Mir, Foale trained at the Cosmonaut Training Center, Star City, Russia. He also served as Chief of the Astronaut Office Expedition Corps. A veteran of five space flights, Foale has logged over 178 days in space including three space walks totaling 18 hours and 49 minutes. He was a mission specialist on STS-45, STS-56, STS-63 and STS-103, and served as Flight Engineer 2 on Mir 23 and Mir 24 (ascent on STS-84 and return on STS-86). Most recently he served as Assistant Director (Technical) of the Johnson Space Center.  Born January 6, 1957, in Louth, England, but considers Cambridge, England, to be his hometown. Married to the former Rhonda R. Butler of Louisville, Kentucky. They have two children.

Expedition 8 Flight Engineer Cosmonaut Alexander Kaleri is a Hero of the Russian Federation; holds the title of pilot-cosmonaut of the Russian Federation.  Born May 13, 1956, in Yurmala, Latvia. He is married to the former Svetlana L. Nosova. They have one child, a son. Alexander enjoys running, reading, and gardening.  Click here for the Russian Space Agency (RKA) website.

Expedition 8 Sticker
Expedition 8 Pin
See the Space Station from your own backyard