12 DEC. 2011
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Launch of the Soyuz TMA-03M spacecraft with ESA's André Kuipers with Don Pettit from NASA and Oleg Kononenko from Russia is scheduled for 21 December 2011. The preparations for the liftoff are going ahead at the Baikonur cosmodrome following the traditions that have been part of every human space mission from Baikonur for decades, with roots going back to Yuri Gagarin’s pioneering 1961 flight.
These photos show the crew, busy with the final preparations for their mission.
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Follow André's mission
André Kuipers is eager to share his many experiences, sunrises and sunsets flying at around 350 kilometres above our heads. Last summer he launched a dedicated blog in Dutch, a good way to track him during the final stages of his training on planet Earth.
Europe's astronauts
Astronauts push the boundaries of human exploration. Through science, technology and international cooperation, they expand our understanding of the Universe and help shape the future of spaceflight. Their missions inspire people around the world to dream, discover and explore.
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