Mission Description:

ISS-2R delivers the first permanent crew to the International Space Station using the Soyuz TM-31 spacecraft (Number TM 205). Soyuz TM-31 was launched on 31 October 2000 and was commanded by cosmonaut Yuri Gidzenko. The Flight Engineer was cosmonaut Sergei Krikalev. Astronaut Bill Shepherd, the Expedition 1 Commander, flew in the third seat. The presence of the Soyuz TM-31 spacecraft at the International Space Station provides an assured crew return capability without the presence of a Space Shuttle Orbiter.