Vittori training in Star City

European astronaut Roberto Vittori and Yuri Gidzenko, the Russian Soyuz commander, during their training, in Star City facilities, near Moscow, in February 2002.
April's scheduled Soyuz launch - a 'taxi flight' to the International Space Station - will carry with it a European astronaut on his maiden voyage into orbit. For Italian Roberto Vittori, the launch will mark a literal high point in his career so far. And although has never been in space before, he will be bringing a wealth of flying experience to the Marco Polo mission.