“Soyuz TMA-17M” with a new ISS crew successfully launched – RIA Novosti

Baikonur Cosmodrome (Kazakhstan), July 23 – RIA Novosti. “Soyuz TMA-17M” with a new crew to the International Space Station was separated from the third stage of the carrier rocket “Soyuz-FG”, transfers RIA news from “Gagarin’s start” Baikonur.

On the station went to Oleg Kononenko (Roscosmos), Kimia Yui (JAXA) and Chella Lindgren (NASA).

Talisman expeditions and at the same time an indicator of the onset of weightlessness in the “Union” has become a toy characters from the TV series “Star Wars” and the failed launch of space truck “Progress” and Dragon did not cause fear among the crew. Lindgren expressed confidence that the accident did not happen, and he trusts the engineers who created the “Soyuz”.

He was supported by Kimia Yui. He said that what happened with the ship “Progress” and a rocket “Soyuz” has already occurred, and the reasons are set. Japanese astronaut, said that he believes in the reliability of Russian rocket “Soyuz” is also due to objective reasons, since after the accident “Progress” of missile tested several times.

“I know and I’m sure a lot of smart and reliable engineers Russia made this craft and rocket. After the accident, “Union” with “progress” they have once again checked everything very well. I am sure our launch after an accident – it is the most secure because all checked again, “- said Japanese astronaut shortly before the flight .

Kononenko plans to spend on the ISS series of unique experiments, including testing of the system, which will enable future remote control of space robots located on another planet. “One of the experiments that I have to spend – a remote control with the ISS two robots: one – located in the Central Research Institute of robotic systems in St. Petersburg – and the second, which is located at the Institute of Robotics in Munich. The ultimate goal of the experiment – prepare and technology, robot control located on another planet “- said Kononenko shortly before departure.

Kimia Yui conduct a series of experiments to study the” dark matter “of the universe. In addition, it intends to prepare sushi and treat teammates on the expedition.

Now in orbit the crew working the 44th space mission which included a space champion, crew station Russian Gennady Padalka and flight engineer cosmonaut Mikhail Kornienko and NASA astronaut Scott Kelly, who will spend a year in orbit.