On May 19, 2018 the prime and backup crews of manned transport spacecraft Soyuz MS-09 arrived at Baikonur cosmodrome for final pre-flight training phases.

The ISS-56/57 prime crew consists of ROSKOSMOS cosmonaut Sergey PROKOPIEV, ESA astronaut Alexander GERSTand NASA astronaut Serena AUNON-CHANCELLOR. Their backup crewmembers are ROSKOSMOS cosmonaut Oleg KONONENKO, ESA astronaut David SAINT-JACQUES and NASA astronaut Anne McCLAIN.

After report to the Management the crews made their way to the Test Education al and Training Complex of Yu.A. Gagarin CTC. They will have to undergo a package of training, sessions and instructing.

The cosmonauts and astronauts will try on spacesuits Sokol-KV and support cradle, perform the test procedure in their places in the spacecraft, get familiar with the onboard data files and perform some tests of the onboard systems. During the final training sessions at the Cosmodrome training of the spacecraft manual proximity operations to the ISS, testing of upcoming ballistic operations and other preparatory procedures are also planned. Every day the cosmonauts and astronauts will be engaged in physical training, pass medical examinations and prepare for space flight factors.

The launch of the Soyuz-FG launch vehicle with manned transport spacecraft Soyuz MS-09 is scheduled on June 6, 2018.