Preparations continue at Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, for the launch of the Soyuz TMA-04 spacecraft that will bring three new Expedition 31 crewmembers to the International Space Station. Gennady Padalka, Joe Acaba and Sergei Revin participated in a variety of traditional pre-launch activities, such as the flag raising ceremony, fit-checks and tree planting. The Soyuz TMA-04 is scheduled for launch on 15 May.

They are scheduled to arrive at the ISS on 17 May, where they will be welcomed on board by current ISS residents Oleg Kononenko, André Kuipers and Don Pettit. Whilst Oleg, André and Don are scheduled to return to Earth on 1 July, Gennady, Joe and Sergei will remain on board the ISS until mid-September.

Highlights are available in this video from NASA TV:

Photos of the preparations for their spaceflight are available in the Nasa2Explore Flickr photoset.