International Space Station crew blast off from Kazakhstan - in pictures

The next crew of the International Space Station (ISS), from left to right: US astronaut Michael Fossum, Russian cosmonaut Sergey Volkov and Japanese astronaut Satoshi Furukawa walk to their bus at the send-off ceremony in Baikonur, Kazakhstan Photograph: Vyacheslav Oseledko/AFP/Getty Images

A Russian Orthodox priest blesses the crew Photograph: Shamil Zhumatov/AP

The crew members at Baikonur cosmodrome Photograph: Sergei Ilnitsky/EPA

A refuelling train moves away from the launch pad Photograph: Shamil Zhumatov/Reuters

The crew wave before boarding the Soyuz TMA-02M spacecraft Photograph: Shamil Zhumatov/AP

Michael Fossum and Sergey Volkov chat as their spacesuits are tested
Photograph: Reuters

Satoshi Furukawa tests his space suit Photograph: Vyacheslav Oseledko/AFP/Getty Images

The Soyuz TMA-02M spacecraft blasts off from Baikonur Photograph: Shamil Zhumatov/Reuters

The rocket booster trails flames as the Soyuz TMA-02M accelerates into the night sky Photograph: Sergei Ilnitsky/EPA