The first Brazilian to fly into space

Lieutenant Colonel Marcos Pontes became the first Brazilian to fly into space after successfully launching Russian Soyuz from Baykonur. You will spend nine days on the International Space Station while a Russian and American colleague will stay for six months.

Col Pontes had to train for the flight since 1998 ( Photo: AFP )

Col Pontes brought a Brazilian flag and a team shirt - to cheer on the Brazilian team at the World Cup.

His father, 84, was present at the launch with his relatives and friends. They clapped and cheered afterwards, then watched a video on the train at the former Soviet launch station in Kazakhstan. His wife said, teary-eyed: ' I was very moved. I can't describe my feelings right now. I am very, very happy . '

The launch ceremony was broadcast live on Brazilian television.

Vyacheslav Davidenko, a spokesman for Russia's Roskosmos space center, told AFP news agency the new astronaut would surely become a new national hero in Brazil. He said: ' Marcos Pontes will make your country participate and the club of cosmic powers .'

Many Brazilians are hoping this trip will add significant strength to their country's space program.

This important mission cost Brazil about $ 10 million, nearly three years after Brazil's space program failed when a ship was detonated at launch.

The explosion of the first Brazilian-made spacecraft to bring satellites into space has left 21 people dead at the launch station in the north.

However, there are also criticisms that the cost of spacecraft launches could have been better used if invested in something else.