The ISS Launch Through A Russian Lens

The Soyuz TMA-19M spaceship mounted on a rail transportation carriage inside the final assembly hall.

The Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft transported to the Gagarinsky launchpad at the Baikonur space launch complex in Kazakhstan.

The Sun rises as the Soyuz TMA-19M spaceship is mounted in a vertical position at the Gagarinsky launchpad.

Members of the international media meet the crew of the 46/47 space mission flying on the Soyuz TMA-19M spaceship to the ISS, at the Cosmonaut Training Center, Baikonur, Kazakhstan.

The primary and backup crew of the Soyuz TMA-19M spaceship at the press conference at the Cosmonaut Training Center. Left to Right: the U.K.’s Tim Peake, Russia's Yuri Malenchenko and the U.S.'s Tim Kopra of the primary crew. The backup crew includes the U.S.’s Cathleen Rubins, Russia’s Anatoly Ivanishin and Japan’s Takuya Onishi.

 A Russian Orthodox priest blesses the Soyuz TMA-19M spaceship.

The European Space Agency's Tim Peak, Roscosmos's Yuri Malenchenko and NASA's Tim Kopra (left to right) leave the Cosmonaut Training Center.

Roscosmos's Yuri Malenchenko gives his spacesuit a final check.

NASA's Tim Kopra is about to perform his last spacesuit check before moving to the Baikonur cosmodrome.

The crew of the 46/47 space mission submits its final report to a government commission before the flight. Left to right: Tim Peake, Yuri Malenchenko and Tim Kopra.

The Soyuz TMA-19M blasts off from the Gagarinsky launchpad, Baikonur cosmodrome, Kazakhstan.

The Soyuz TMA-19M in the air.

The Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft before the first-stage separation.