Soyuz TMA-3 update, 18-10-2003

Baikonur Cosmodrome, 18-10-2003

The Russian Soyuz TMA-3 manned transport spacecraft was launched. It is the
third spacecraft of a new modification developed at S.P. Korolev Rocket &
Space Corporation Energia on the basis of the Soyuz TM spacecraft in
accordance with the intergovernmental agreement between Russia and the USA.
The launch of the Souyz-FG integrated launch vehicle with the Soyuz TMA-3
spacecraft was accomplished at 09:38:03 Moscow summer time.
The launch is intended to deliver the expedition crew-8 (ISS-8) to the
International Space Station, to carry out a planned replacement of
expedition crew-7 and the Soyuz TMA-2, which has been operating within the
International Space Station since April 28, 2003, performing functions of
the crew rescue vehicle.
The launch objective is also to carry out activities on board the orbital
complex under the ISS visiting crew 5 program (VC-5), including performance
of space experiments and researches within the Servantes project; solution
of tasks of station's expedition crew logistics support.

Photo-report, Some hours before the launch...:

http://www.energia.ru/english/energi..._10-18_01.html



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Jacques :-)

Editor: www.spacepatches.info