News

Soyuz launcher transferred to launch pad


Roll-out of the Soyuz launcher
 
Roll-out of the Soyuz launcher
 
25 May 2009
 
Early this morning, the Soyuz launcher that will bring ESA astronaut Frank De Winne to the International Space Station for his six-month OasISS mission was transferred to the launch pad at Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazahkstan. The launch is scheduled for 12:34 CEST on 27 May.
 
The Soyuz launcher arrived at launch pad 1 following a two-hour journey from the integration building. The launcher was erected on the launch pad later in the day after a delay caused by high winds at the launch site.

Also today, De Winne and his two Soyuz TMA-15 crewmates, Russian cosmonaut Roman Romanenko and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Robert Thirsk, participated in the traditional tree-planting ceremony at the Cosmonauts Hotel in Baikonur.

More images are available in the ESA Multimedia Gallery - follow the link to the 'Image gallery' on the left menu.
  
 
Roll-out of the Soyuz launcher
 
Roll-out of the Soyuz launcher
 
 
 
Roll-out of the Soyuz launcher
 
Roll-out of the Soyuz launcher
 
 
 
Roll-out of the Soyuz launcher
 
Roll-out of the Soyuz launcher
 
 
 
Roll-out of the Soyuz launcher
 
Roll-out of the Soyuz launcher
 
 
 
Soyuz launcher is erected on the launch pad
 
Soyuz launcher is erected on the launch pad
 
 
 
Soyuz launcher is erected on the launch pad
 
Soyuz launcher is erected on the launch pad
 
 
 
Soyuz launcher is erected on the launch pad
 
Soyuz launcher is erected on the launch pad
 
 
 
Tree-planting ceremony - one of many Soyuz crew traditions
 
The Soyuz TMA-15 crew take part in the traditional tree-planting ceremony ahead of their launch to the ISS
 
 
 
Tree-planting ceremony - one of many Soyuz crew traditions
 
The Soyuz TMA-15 crew take part in the traditional tree-planting ceremony ahead of their launch to the ISS
 
 

Related articles

 •  Video replay: OasISS mission launch (http://www.esa.int/esaHS/SEMTEW0OWUF_index_0.html)
 •  OasISS mission heading to ISS with ESA astronaut Frank De Winne (http://www.esa.int/esaHS/SEMI761OWUF_index_0.html)
 •  Expedition 20 crew news conference – media invited to EAC (http://www.esa.int/esaHS/SEMQ1D1OWUF_index_0.html)
 •  Logo unveiled for OasISS mission (http://www.esa.int/esaHS/SEMDUHANJTF_index_0.html)
 •  ESA’s next long-term ISS mission has a name: OasISS (http://www.esa.int/esaHS/SEMF8YWPXPF_index_0.html)

Related links

 •  Frank De Winne (http://www.esa.int/esaHS/ESA0EUZUMOC_astronauts_0.html)
 •  ISS Expedition 20 (NASA) (http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition20/index.html)
 •  ISS Expedition 21 (NASA) (http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition21/index.html)
 •  OasISS mission (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/OasISS_Mission/index.html)
 •  Q&A on YouTube (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/OasISS_Mission/SEMS6NANJTF_0.html)