Russia's Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft blasts off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan early on Wednesday, May 29. A Russian rocket carrying an international crew of U.S. astronaut Karen Nyberg, Russian cosmonaut Fyodor Yurchikhin and Italian astronaut Luca Parmitano launched from Kazakhstan and docked on the International Space Station. <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/23/world/gallery/iss-mission/index.html">See photos from the last launch to and from the space station.</a>
Soyuz 36 heads to the International Space Station —
Russia's Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft blasts off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan early on Wednesday, May 29. A Russian rocket carrying an international crew of U.S. astronaut Karen Nyberg, Russian cosmonaut Fyodor Yurchikhin and Italian astronaut Luca Parmitano launched from Kazakhstan and docked on the International Space Station. See photos from the last launch to and from the space station.
KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP/Getty Images
The spacecraft blasts off on May 29.
Soyuz 36 heads to the International Space Station —
The spacecraft blasts off on May 29.
KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP/Getty Images
Flames from the spacecraft light up the night on May 29.
Soyuz 36 heads to the International Space Station —
Flames from the spacecraft light up the night on May 29.
KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP/Getty Images
Nyberg, Yurchikhin and Parmitano walk from their hotel to a bus during a sending-off ceremony on Tuesday, May 28.
Soyuz 36 heads to the International Space Station —
Nyberg, Yurchikhin and Parmitano walk from their hotel to a bus during a sending-off ceremony on Tuesday, May 28.
VLADIMIR ASTAPKOVICH/AFP/Getty Images
The astronauts wave to a crowd outside their hotel on May 28.
Soyuz 36 heads to the International Space Station —
The astronauts wave to a crowd outside their hotel on May 28.
MAXIM SHIPENKOV/AFP/Getty Images
The crew have their space suits tested on May 28.
Soyuz 36 heads to the International Space Station —
The crew have their space suits tested on May 28.
KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP/Getty Images
Nyberg smiles during the space suit testing on May 28.
Soyuz 36 heads to the International Space Station —
Nyberg smiles during the space suit testing on May 28.
KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP/Getty Images
The crew receive a traditional blessing from an Orthodox priest on May 28.
Soyuz 36 heads to the International Space Station —
The crew receive a traditional blessing from an Orthodox priest on May 28.
Bill Ingalls/NASA.gov
Parmitano gestures at relatives on May 28 during a sending-off ceremony.
Soyuz 36 heads to the International Space Station —
Parmitano gestures at relatives on May 28 during a sending-off ceremony.
KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP/Getty Images
Nyberg, Yurchikhin and Parmitano wave to their families during a send off on May 28.
Soyuz 36 heads to the International Space Station —
Nyberg, Yurchikhin and Parmitano wave to their families during a send off on May 28.
KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP/Getty Images
The Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft stands on the launchpad on Sunday, May 26.
Soyuz 36 heads to the International Space Station —
The Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft stands on the launchpad on Sunday, May 26.
Bill Ingalls/NASA.gov
The spacecraft is rolled out by train to the launchpad on May 26.
Soyuz 36 heads to the International Space Station —
The spacecraft is rolled out by train to the launchpad on May 26.
Bill Ingalls/NASA.gov