Soyuz TMA-21 launched 2011

Soyuz TMA-21 crew (L-R): Ronald Garan, Aleksandr Samokutyavey, Andrei Borisenko

Soyuz TMA-21, launched April 4, 2011, carried members of Expedition 27 to the International Space Station. Its crew consisted of Commander Aleksandr Samokutyayev, Andrey Borisenko, and Ronald Garan (NASA).  They participated in Expeditions 27-28, before returning to Earth in September 2011.

Happy birthday, cosmonaut Aleksandr Samokutyayev!

Aleksandr Samokutyayev, born March 13, 1970 in Penza, Russia, has been into space twice.  

His first flight was aboard Soyuz TMA-21 as commander to the International Space Station in April 2011.  He participated in Expeditions 27 and 28.  During Expedition 28, he conducted an EVA with fellow cosmonaut Sergey Volkov for 6 hours 23 minutes.  He returned to Earth in September 2011.

His second mission was aboard Soyuz TMA-14M as commander to the International Space Station in September 2014.  He participated in Expeditions 41 and 42, during which he conducted a second EVA with fellow cosmonaut Maksim Surayev. He returned to Earth in March 2015. 

Soyuz TMA-14M launched 2015

Soyuz TMA-14M crew (L-R): Aleksandr Samokutyayev, Barry Wilmore, Yelena Serova

Mission patch

Soyuz TMA-14M, launched September 25, 2014, carried members of Expedition 41 to the International Space Station.  Its crew consisted Commander Aleksandr Samokutyayev (Roscosmos), Yelena Serova (Roscosmos) and Barry Wilmore (NASA).

The crew also participated in Expedition 42 before returning to Earth in March 2015.