The International Space Station is getting ready to change crews, officially. While an unofficial “Change of Command” ceremony was held earlier today, Frank De Winne will officially become the Expedition 21 commander Saturday when Gennady Padalka and Flight Engineer Michael Barratt undock from the station from the Soyuz TMA-14 later tonight.
They will say farewell around 5:30 p.m. Eastern time, and close the hatch. After performing leak checks and other configuration procedures, they will undock at approximately 9:07 p.m. EDT, and begin their short journey back to Earth. Landing in Kazakhstan is expected at 12:31 a.m. Sunday morning.
As with all major events, it can be viewed live on NASA TV.
