New Soyuz Crew Launches to the International Space Station

Video from the channel NASA about Soyuz (cohete), linked on its Above Ten Thousand entry. Duration: 10:55. Language: English. Video type: Launch.

NASA broadcast, with English-language commentary, of the launch of a Soyuz rocket from Baikonur. On board are Alexander Misurkin, Mark Vande Hei and Joe Acaba, bound for the International Space Station.

First, propellant loading is cut off and the last umbilical separates. The rocket then lifts off with about 930,000 pounds of thrust from the four boosters and the core stage. Next, in order, come confirmation of the escape tower jettison, separation of the four strap-on boosters, and separation of the fairing. This is followed by the hot-staging ignition of the third stage while the second is still firing, followed by separation of the second stage. According to the commentator, the third stage delivers about 67,000 pounds of thrust. The cameras show the crew in the cabin, with a small Sputnik model floating once weightlessness is reached.

After third-stage shutdown, the spacecraft separates and reaches orbit. Deployment of the antennas and solar panels is confirmed, and the crew reports that everything is normal. Control passes to the Moscow centre, and the preliminary orbit will be raised over the following six hours until it reaches the station.