NASA

The much-anticipated March 27 launch to the International Space Station of NASA astronaut Scott Kelly and Expedition 43 crewmates Gennady Padalka and Mikhail Kornienko of the Russian Federal Space Agency, began a one-year odyssey that plays a key role in NASA’s Journey to Mars. Kelly and Kornienko will spend a year on the orbital laboratory conducting extensive research on the human body to provide valuable data on the physical and mental challenges astronauts may face on future longer-duration missions -- like those to an asteroid and Mars. Also, Asteroid Redirect Mission concept, Orion EFT-1 “thank you” event, White House Science Fair and Kepler team receives award! Show less