Today the Head of Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre Yuri Lonchakov celebrates his 50th Birthday. Yuri Lonchakov devoted many years of his life to space exploration. His efforts, courage, sense of purpose and love for his motherland helped him to become the cosmonaut and succeed in this profession.

Last week main and back-up crews of ISS-43/44 mission started passing exams. The main crew comprises Roscosmos cosmonauts Gennady Padalka and Mikhail Korniyenko and NASA astronaut Scott Kelly, the back-up crew – Roscosmos cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin and NASA astronaut Geffrey Williams.

From January 19 up to February 9, 2015 GCTC is conducting winter survival trainings for future ISS mission crews.

British singer Sarah Brightman will pass survival trainings in a near-Moscow forest on January 23, - GCTC press office reported.

On Monday, January 19, space flight participant Sarah Brightman who will be a crew member of Soyuz TMA-18M spacecraft started her training in Gagarin Cosmonaut training Centre.

Japanese entrepreneur Satoshi Takamatsu to be Sarah Brightman back-up crew member will start training in Star City late this month.

Japanese citizen Satoshi Takamatsu approved to be the next space tourist Sarah Brightman's back-up cosmonaut, - Roscosmos representative reported.

Cosmonaut candidate Anna Kikina gained test cosmonaut qualification, - Roscosmos reports.

January 2015 Famous British singer Sara Brightman will start training for 10-days flight to the ISS scheduled for October 2015, - Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre spokesman reported.

Baikonur spaceport saw traditional flag-raising ceremony symbolizing the beginning of final preflight preparations.