Welcome Back Soyuz TMA-5

Dr. Leroy Chiao and me - Asian Festival, May 29, 2004, a Saturday.
Photo by Mrs. Chiao.

This is something I was going to post back on April 24, 2005 when Soyuz TMA-5 returned to Earth. I was fortunate to meet and talk with Dr. Chiao nearly a year ago at the Columbus Asian Festival. Dr Chiao arrived much earlier than expected and stay far later than he was supposed to, much to everyone's happiness.

He was the Expedition 10 (official site, photos) commander and NASA ISS science officer. After 6 months on the International Space Station, Chiao, along with cosmonaut Salizhan S. Sharipov, Expedition 10 flight engineer returned to Earth in the company of Roberto Vittori of Italy. It was Vittori's second trip to the station. He went up with the crew of Expedition 11 (official site, photos) in Soyuz TMA-6, returning after a visit of 9 days.