Soyuz Launches to Space Station

Video from the channel NASA about Soyuz (cohete), linked on its Above Ten Thousand entry. Duration: 10:15. Language: English. Video type: Launch.

NASA broadcast of the launch of the Soyuz TMA-05M spacecraft with three crew members aboard: Yuri Malenchenko, Sunita Williams, and Akihiko Hoshide. They begin a two-day journey to the International Space Station. The official launch time was 21:40:03, US Central Time.

After the final countdown, the launcher ascends on its four strap-on boosters and core stage, which the commentator says together produce about 102 tonnes of thrust. The footage alternates between the exterior view and the cabin camera, showing Malenchenko and Williams and the stuffed toy serving as the flight's talisman, a gift from a crew member's daughter. The boosters separate at an altitude of about 45 km, with the stack traveling at about 5,400 km/h. Around 2 min 50 s, the payload fairing and the escape tower jettison, and light enters the cabin. At 5 min 7 s the core stage separates, at an altitude of about 170 km, and the third stage ignites, producing about 30 tonnes of thrust and burning for a little over four minutes.

Around the nine-minute mark, the separation of the third stage is confirmed and the spacecraft is in orbit, heading toward orbital velocity of about 28,000 km/h. Moscow control congratulates the crew on orbital insertion, and the broadcast ends with Williams giving a thumbs-up.