Russian spaceship with UAE astronaut blasts off into space
The International Space Station (ISS) crew members Jessica Meir of the U.S., Oleg Skripochka of Russia and Hazzaa Ali Almansoori of United Arab Emirates board the Soyuz MS-15 spacecraft for the launch at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan September 25, 2019. Maxim Shipenkov/Pool via REUTERS
BAIKONUR COSMODROME, Kazakhstan (Reuters) - A Russian Soyuz spaceship blasted off from the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan towards the International Space Station on Wednesday carrying a crew of three, including the first astronaut from the United Arab Emirates.
Emirati astronaut Hazzaa AlMansoori, Russian commander Oleg Skripochka, and flight engineer Jessica Meir of NASA are expected to dock with the space station about six hours later.
AlMansoori, 35, a former fighter jet pilot, will spend eight days aboard the station, becoming the first Arab to visit the giant scientific laboratory orbiting the Earth.
The Soyuz MS-15 spacecraft carrying the crew formed of Jessica Meir of the U.S., Oleg Skripochka of Russia and Hazzaa Ali Almansoori of United Arab Emirates blasts off to the International Space Station (ISS) from the launchpad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan September 25, 2019. REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov
He plans to carry out a series of experiments, hold several live space-to-Earth sessions and host an Emirati food night wearing the traditional national clothing, the UAE authorities have said.
Hours before launch, AlMansoori together with crewmates received a blessing from a Russian orthodox priest in line with Russian space tradition, although unlike the two others he was spared from being sprinkled with holy water.
Smiling, AlMansoori made a Winston Churchill-style V hand sign while standing on the stairs leading to the elevator which took the crew to their capsule.
The International Space Station (ISS) crew members Jessica Meir of the U.S., Oleg Skripochka of Russia and Hazzaa Ali Almansoori of United Arab Emirates walk to depart to the launchpad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan September 25, 2019. REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov
The new crew's arrival will boost the ISS headcount to nine - for the first time in four years - until AlMansoori and two astronauts from a previous expedition return to earth on Oct.3.
(Reporting by Shamil Zhumatov; Writing by Olzhas Auyezov; Editing by Alison Williams, William Maclean)
The International Space Station (ISS) crew member Hazzaa Ali Almansoori of United Arab Emirates gestures after donning space suits shortly before the launch at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan September 25, 2019. REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov/PoolThe International Space Station (ISS) crew member Hazzaa Ali Almansoori of United Arab Emirates is assisted during his space suit check at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan September 25, 2019. REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov/PoolThe International Space Station (ISS) crew member Oleg Skripochka of Russia looks on during his space suit check at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan September 25, 2019. REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov/PoolThe International Space Station (ISS) crew members Jessica Meir of the U.S., Oleg Skripochka of Russia and Hazzaa Ali Almansoori of United Arab Emirates board the Soyuz MS-15 spacecraft for the launch at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan September 25, 2019. Maxim Shipenkov/Pool via REUTERSThe International Space Station (ISS) crew member Hazzaa Ali Almansoori of United Arab Emirates gestures from a bus before leaving for pre-flight preparation at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan September 25, 2019. REUTERS/Shamil ZhumatovThe International Space Station (ISS) crew member Hazzaa Ali Almansoori of United Arab Emirates waves from a bus as he departs to the launchpad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan September 25, 2019. REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov/PoolThe Soyuz MS-15 spacecraft carrying the crew formed of Jessica Meir of the U.S., Oleg Skripochka of Russia and Hazzaa Ali Almansoori of United Arab Emirates blasts off to the International Space Station (ISS) from the launchpad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan September 25, 2019. REUTERS/Shamil ZhumatovThe International Space Station (ISS) crew members Jessica Meir of the U.S., Oleg Skripochka of Russia and Hazzaa Ali Almansoori of United Arab Emirates walk to depart to the launchpad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan September 25, 2019. REUTERS/Shamil ZhumatovThe International Space Station (ISS) crew members Hazzaa Ali Almansoori of United Arab Emirates, Oleg Skripochka of Russia and Jessica Meir of the U.S. walk from a hotel for a pre-launch preparation at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan September 25, 2019. REUTERS/Shamil ZhumatovThe International Space Station (ISS) crew member Jessica Meir of the U.S. waves from a bus as she departs for pre-flight preparation at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan September 25, 2019. REUTERS/Shamil ZhumatovThe International Space Station (ISS) crew members Hazzaa Ali Almansoori of United Arab Emirates, Oleg Skripochka of Russia and Jessica Meir of the U.S. wave as they walk from a hotel for a pre-launch preparation at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan September 25, 2019. REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov
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