spacetoday.net: Soyuz launches ISS crew, space tourist

Posted: Sat, Oct 1, 2005, 9:07 AM ET (1307 GMT)
Soyuz TMA-7 launch (RSC Energia)

A Soyuz spacecraft lifted off early Saturday carrying the next crew for the International Space Station and a commercial passenger. A Soyuz rocket lifted off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 11:55 pm EDT Friday (0355 GMT Saturday), placing the Soyuz TMA-7 spacecraft into orbit nine minutes later. On board the Soyuz is the Expedition 12 crew of William McArthur and Valery Tokarev, who will relieve the Expedition 11 crew currently on the station. Also on the Soyuz is American businessman Greg Olsen, a commercial passenger billed as the third commercial space tourist. Olsen plans to carry out a suite of experiments during his week-long stay at the ISS. The Soyuz will dock with the ISS at approximately 1:30 am EDT (0530 GMT) Monday.