article_snippet: One the the ISS three crew members remain, and another three will join on 27 March - including two who will become the first to spend a year continuously on the orbiting space station.
article_snippet: Construction of the ISS supports a crew of up to six, with crews split into groups of three.
article_snippet: This landing brought to an end Expedition 42, bringing with This landing commander
article_snippet: While on the station, the crew participated in a variety of research focusing on the effects of microgravity on cells, Earth observation, physical science and biological and molecular science.
article_snippet: One of several key research focus areas during Expedition 42 was human health management for long-duration space travel, as Nasa and Roscosmos prepare for two crew members to spend one year aboard the station.
article_snippet: The mission is designed to see how astronauts cope with such a prolonged stay in space - previously, crews only spent a maximum of six months aboard the station before returning to Earth.
article_snippet: The station crew also welcomed three cargo spacecraft with several tons of scientific investigations, food, fuel and other supplies.
article_snippet: Construction of the ISS (shown) supports a crew of up to six ay any one time, with crews split into groups of three.
article_snippet: The station crew returned after almost six months onboard the International Space Station where The station crew served as members of the Expedition 41 and 42 crews .
article_snippet: Pictured from left to right in this photo of the entire Expedition 42 crew are Yelena Serova, Barry Wilmore, Alexander Samokutyaev, Anton Shkaplerov, Terry Virts and Samantha Cristoforetti .
article_snippet: In January, The station crew helped grapple and connect a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft on the company's fifth contracted commercial resupply mission to the station.
article_snippet: Expedition 43 currently is operating the station, with Nasa astronaut Terry Virts.
article_snippet: Flight engineers Anton Shkaplerov of Roscosmos and Samantha Cristoforetti of Esa are continuing station research and operations until Flight engineers Anton Shkaplerov of Roscosmos and Samantha Cristoforetti of Esa three new crewmates arrive in two weeks.
highlights_snippet: The landing brings to an end Expedition 42 aboard the station, where three crew members remain .
  