Russian spacecraft to ISS carries Olympic torch

On the morning of September 26, at 00:59 (local time), at the Baikonur Cosmodrome (Kazakhstan), Russia successfully launched Soyuz ТМА-10М, taking the Olympic torch to the International Orbital Station.

>>>Soyuz ships on the launch pad for the mission to send people to ISS

The Russian space agency announced, on schedule, 10 minutes after leaving the launch pad, ie at 1:08 pm Moscow time, the Soyuz ship had separated from the rocket and flew into orbit, assembled with Tram Vu. International pillar (ISS) after 6 hours of flying.

Soyuz left the launch pad.(Photo: NASA)

"Soyuz ТМА-10М" carries an international crew of two Russian astronauts Oleg Kotov, Sergei Ryazansky and a colleague of the US Space Agency (NASA) Michael Hopkins. The three astronauts will carry out applied science research programs and conduct tests, take photos and film from the vessel, perform operations with the "Progress" , ATV-4 transports, take the Olympic torch to space and especially astronauts will step out into space.

Throughout Baikonur's history, this is the third time to launch spacecraft launch and ballistic ISS assembly, helping to shorten assembly time with ISS about 400 km from Earth from 40 hours to 6 Now, reduce the number of rings around orbit from 30 to 4 rounds. This shortened model helps astronauts better adapt to changing environments, reducing the impact of the cosmic environment on health.

During the journey, the Soyuz will be supported by nearly 20 civilian and military aircraft, the Russian Navy search and rescue ships in case of an emergency landing. Traditionally, since the flight into space in 2006 the entire process of launching Soyuz spacecraft was broadcast live.

Expected three astronauts will complete the task and return to Earth in March 2014.