Targeted Landing Date Now April 8

The Expedition 18 and 19 crews wrapped up a busy week of joint operations aboard the International Space Station Friday.

Throughout the week, the newly-arrived Expedition 19 crew members spent much of their time familiarizing themselves with their new home and conducting handover activities with the outgoing Expedition 18 crew. Expedition 18 Commander Mike Fincke officially handed over control of the station to Expedition 19 Commander Gennady Padalka and his crew during the traditional Change-of-Command ceremony Thursday.

Fincke and Flight Engineer Yury Lonchakov are targeted to return to Earth on April 8... one day later than originally planned, due to waterlogged ground at the projected landing site on the steppes of Kazakhstan. Russia Today reported Saturday a reconnaissance helicopter sent to observe conditions at the landing site found it to be flooded; the helo was able to land, but reportedly had difficulties taking off again from the muck.

The flood-related delay will give Expedition 18 crewmembers one more day in orbit. That works out well for paying spaceflight participant Charles Simonyi -- who will receive an extra "free" day in orbit, as well.

Staying aboard the station with Padalka are flight engineers Koichi Wakata and Michael Barratt.

NASA reports crews kept busy Friday with a variety of science, maintenance and handover activities. They also went over Soyuz undocking procedures with specialists to prepare for the departure of Fincke, Lonchakov and Simonyi next week.

FMI: www.nasa.gov/station