International space station crew blast off from Kazhakstan

The Russian Soyuz TMA-01M at the Kazakh Baikonur cosmodrome before the rocket's launch Photograph: AFP/Getty Images

The billiards skills of Russian cosmonaut Oleg Skripochka, centre, are watched by US astronaut Scott Kelly, left, and Alexander Kaleri, commander of the mission, right Photograph: Dmitry Lovetsky/AP

Journalists take photos and shoot films through safety glass of (left to right) Kelly, Kaleri and Skripochka Photograph: Dmitry Lovetsky/AP

(Left to right): Kelly, Kaleri and Skripochka attend a press conference in Baikonur cosmodrome Photograph: Alexander Nemenov/AFP/Getty Images

Anna Chapman, left, a Russian national who was deported from the US this summer for allegedly spying for Russia, arrives for the launch Photograph: Dmitry Lovetsky/AP

Kelly, Kaleri and Skripochka walk from their base to the bus that will take them to the launch pad Photograph: Dmitry Lovetsky/AP

Kelly gets ready for his spacesuit check at Baikonur cosmodrome Photograph: Shamil Zhumatov/Reuters

Specialists leave a joke on the frozen surface of the spacecraft before blastoff Photograph: Shamil Zhumatov/Reuters

Left to right: Kelly, Kaleri and Skripochka wait for the order to enter the Soyuz TMA-01M before the rocket's launch Photograph: AFP/Getty Images

Service towers move away from the spacecraft a few minutes before blastoff Photograph: Shamil Zhumatov/Reuters

The spacecraft blasts off Photograph: Dmitry Lovetsky/AP

Blastoff Photograph: Shamil Zhumatov/Reuters

Blastoff Photograph: Dmitry Lovetsky/AP

People watch the blastoff Photograph: Dmitry Lovetsky/AP