The two man Expedition Seven crew, comprising Commander Yuri Malenchenko, and Flight Engineer Ed Lu, will welcome the Cervantes crew on board the International Space Station when they arrive on 20 October 2003.

The Expedition Seven crew has been on board ISS since 28 April 2003 when they arrived with the Soyuz TMA-2. The Expedition Seven crew will be replaced by Expedition Eight who will arrive with the Soyuz TMA-3.

On 28 October 2003, after a six month stay on board ISS, the Expedition Seven crew will return to Earth in the Soyuz TMA-2 vehicle together with ESA astronaut Pedro Duque.