Roberto Vittori in the Soyuz simulator

Training of the European astronaut, Roberto Vittori, in the Soyuz simulator, in the Star City facilities near Moscow, in October 2001.
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.