LIVE | NASA astronaut Anil Menon launches to the ISS

[00:00:23]Heat. Heat.

[00:00:55]in A wide view of launch pad 631 your screen interior views 29 spacecraft on your screen astronaut men who joined his two crew mates who are crew about to launch into orbit on an orbit 3hour journey to reach their destination. The International Space Station can't be uncerted for 9:47 time 10:47 and 43 seconds Eastern time which is 7:43 47 Eastern 40° at the launch site in 43 seconds. It is a warm f with clear skies bound on the launch site. And earlier today, these booster was fueled for launch by engineers.

[00:02:12]Process that was completed just a few hours ago.

[00:02:16]The launch control team by all system launch network issues currently being worked as currently on your screen for a moment. You saw a view of 2.1 ready for launch.

[00:02:36]Seeing a live view inside the international space station here in Houston, Texas.

[00:02:45]This team currently on console is the orbit team of flight controllers currently currently currently supporting station population will increase temporarily. 197 commander who brought me as a flight engineer commander. The car was all set and a flight of just over 3 hours in duration to the International Space Station after 12:56 p.m. Central time with 156 p.m. Eastern time module on the earth facing side of the international facing side of the sitement of the international 2 and 1 half hours after docking the hatches will be open station will then be greeted by station commanders and crews.

[00:04:12]and honorary across NASA astronauts Williams and Jack along with European agency no also be on hand of astronaut Chris Williams and his hand of Sergey Williams there on your screen and will depart in their emotion spacecraft on July 26th in their parachute assisted landing on the Kazakhstan heading. After spending about eight months on board the International Space Station, after spending hundreds of scientific investigations and research demonstrating laboratory through next year returning home space which they currently order on the ending as part of NASA's space on mission meeting providing a crew exchange capability to maintain safe and continuous space station capability to maintain safe and continuous space station operations.

[00:05:35]There on your screen again you can see live view inside the international space station.

[00:05:45]The orbit 2 team of flight controllers is currently on console. again over an hour that shift hand with the orbit orbit team for observation of today's operations docking on Thursday again they are being led by NASA flight director Chrisins capsule communicator is space agency astronaut Tano is transfational experience station once is what we are focusing on today and he is also training for his third mission as pilot for NASA mission training for his third and his company serves as the voice language between on the ground and the necessary group currently on board the international station.

[00:06:51]We also have visiting vehicle officer or video officers guidance and navigation between ACB station control of course continuing to monitor the systems on station which will be the final explanation for the employees 29ation for the employees. MS 29 spacecraft later today.

[00:07:25]And you're now seeing a live team at the Russian mission control center.

[00:07:30]any control system as well as the Russian control center as well as integration teams operations live 2.1 rocket will be based on lift today is scheduled for 9:47 a.m. Central time 10:47 a.m.

[00:08:09]Eastern time which is 7:47 p.m.

[00:08:14]Central Asian desert. The countdown is continuing to proceed on schedule. The count that we are just about 65 minutes away from launch with no issues being reported by no issues being reported by 2.1 booster astronaut and his cosmos cosmos as commander is in the center seat of descent and he is to his left by who is throwing as board engineer one left into the right who is serving as board engineer this is first flight in the space and the second for ka first in 157 days of previous space flight experience also second in the space rocket invest 355 experience has previously space as part of NASA's SpaceX crew mission in 2018 launches MS21 spacecraft the start of his first visit to the international space station marks the is buying NASA to join the 2021 astronaut is graduating in 2024 and then jumping right into this graduating in 2020. Men was born and raised in Minneapolis and Minnesota and is medicine position mechanical engineer and colonel in United States engineer and colonel. Let's take a moment to learn more about men and his road to becoming the finish to learn more about men and his right. Look over there in the corner.

[00:10:25]Look over there.

[00:10:36]I got interested in medicine really early. Probably when I earlier, my mom had this injury to her lower leg stitches and everything. She was fine, but I went to the hospital with her. I think I remember that impact that most doctors take on that I was wrist and you could do it with your hands all day with your hand people are rushing that's always part of it I like about those moments that help connect these past are the earthquake in May for me one of the transformative events that happened in my medical end massive earthquakes that injured over a million people and had a lot of destruction there and four nurses were capability of helping people were I joined the Oregon Air National as a doctor flight surgeon there was practicing medicine in there and I saw there was jobs at NASA flight with the ISS program as healthy as possible in space up there emissions something that you're remote attorney. You give them a call asking some questions about it. You know all the tools that are up there. You know how to navigate it, handle it. So you know sometimes doing something might be and then sometimes you might treat the medications that we've recently seen that treat even goes as far as some treat work with the whole system and evacuate them.

[00:13:13]So because it is tricky and every system changes in space changes your shift your immune system goes down anything you can think of that you can find there is some change that's happening related to that that have that specialized knowledge spending my time right now for studying about those.

[00:13:52]So it's going to be probably one of my fields of medicine that really expands when learning about medicine in the coming decade learning about the medicine.

[00:15:33]I am 10:47 a.m. Eastern time which is 737 p.m.

[00:15:41]Countdown is proceeding on schedule and launch engineers.

[00:15:53]There on your screen you can see video launch crews from their training base at Star City's final activities final activities following the crew arrival to the class drone arrival to the final training activities 30th and 31st. You can see a club of the crew.

[00:16:27]You can see a clip of the take a look in post photo and there's MS 29 spacecraft integration building integration contration building just last week.

[00:17:16]there on your screen. Now you can see right now actually passed away here passed away of approved their suits and in addition to the final decision also the pressure checked for their suits or suits.

[00:18:01]These are those pressure suits that you can see in their screen on board.

[00:18:12]Those suits provide a safe environment.

[00:18:14]that is true in part survival systemic equipment. Improve survival systemic equipment.

[00:18:24]The space suits included in the social layer as well as the outer layer and the layers of those layer integrated into the front and are removed and gloves to be removed are removable as seen in the video there where they are putting on the pressure checks.

[00:18:48]The gloves are attached to the suit with just a few minutes ago. We also heard the crew they have put those gloves on and also they have put those clothes on.

[00:19:14]Who did begin their quarantine period?

[00:19:17]arrived in order of all space flight missions. Astronaut mandatory quarantine restricts don't contract illness.

[00:19:42]Again, all of this footage was previously the forward footage was previously recorded in preparation to today's launch video to today's members encapsulated into the first stage of booster and the integration building after the stages booster rocket began to launch rocket shortly after sunrise on Saturday July Left transcript.

[00:20:52]As we continue to monitor the countdown as we continue for today's launch from today's theater to drop the clock today continuing to take backwards from the international space station with kerosene and lunch is the biggest launch to the international from the international and this is the work of the Russian program. So let's head to closer soy booster closer look at the soy booster the rocket stands 162 weigh 62 and consists of gallid 1 minute 58 seconds 58 seconds before they drop away. The core engine first stage also serves 4 seconds to burn until 4 minutes burn.

[00:22:31]The third page has a single engine that will ignite the separation of the stage 2.1 for the international station for launch.

[00:23:01]stack continue to take corporate launch of NASA from the launch of NASA.

[00:23:33]So here's the spacecraft.

[00:23:36]Soy spacecraft is 24 and 1/2 ft long with an overall volume of 177 cubic feet and comprised of three modules. The descent module situated in the middle of the Soyuse vehicle contains customized seats for the crew members during launch, entry and landing and contains all the controls and displays necessary for the flight. It also houses life support systems, batteries for the re-entry and landing and the parachute and soft landing rocket engines that slow down as a spacecraft lands in Kazakhstan. down as a spacecraft. There are eight hydrogen peroxide thrusters located on the module which are used to control the spacecraft's orientation or attitude during the descent until parachute deployment. During the descent, the descent module also contains a guidance, navigation, and control system used to maneuver the vehicle during the descent phase of the mission. This descent module is 7.3 ft long with a diameter of 7.1 ft and a habitable volume of 124 cubic feet and is the only portion of the soy use that survives the return to Earth.

[00:24:31]The orbital module at the top is 9.8 ft long. It connects to the descent module via pressurized hatch. This is where the crew has a small amount of room to move around following launch during the flight to the space station. It has a docking mechanism, hatch, and rendevous antennas located at the front end. The docking mechanism is used to dock with the space station and the hatch allows entry into the orbiting complex.

[00:24:52]>> The rendevous antennas are used by the automated docking system which uses radar to maneuver toward the station for maneuver. There's also a forward-looking window in the module that the crew can use to take manual measurements of distance and closing speed with a laser rangefinder in the event of failure of the rende radar system.

[00:25:10]>> The propulsion module houses the oxygen storage tank, the main engine and the attitude control thrusters, avionics and communication and control equipment. The propulsion portion of this module handles all orbital maneuvers including those needed for the rendevous with the space station and the orbit burn at the end of the spacecraft mission. Before they are deployed, the two solar arrays are folded against the body of the propulsion module, which along with the orbital module separates from the descent module after the de-orbit burn.

[00:25:35]The solar panels span almost 35 ft. The entire spacecraft serves not only as a crew transport vehicle to and from the space station, but also as an emergency return vehicle in the unlikely event the crew needs to leave the station unexpected. The crew needs to leave the station unexpectedly.

[00:25:54]Again, that was a look at the Soyu spacecraft. And now you are seeing a live view of the Soyuse 2.1A booster.

[00:26:02]And that Soyuse MS29 spacecraft is encapsulated inside there. And on your screen, you can see as the gantry arms surrounding the spacecraft are beginning to be lowered. Those are those green arms that were buttressed up next to the 2.1 booster.

[00:26:19]There are two service umbilicals which are still attached to the side of the soy booster.

[00:26:25]So booster >> and the first of those umbilicals will retract around the tus 35 second mark and the second will retract at the tus 15 second mark which will then initiate engine sequence start and second stage engines. Engine start of the first stage comes in three phases. There's a preliminary, an intermediate, and a final where the engines are then up to full throttle. Again, there's a closer up view of those gantry arms as they begin to retract. As we continue to countdown for today's launch of the Soyuse MS29 spacecraft carrying NASA astronaut and his cosminaut cosminaut crew Peter Dubra and to the International Space Station to the International Space Station. We're now about 36 minutes away from that launch. That launch scheduled for 9:47 and 43 seconds a.m. Central time this morning, 10:47 and 43 seconds a.m. Eastern time, which is about 7:43 and 43 seconds p.m. in seconds p.m. in Fenor. The launch today is a 10sec launch window at that time. Launch window at that time. In addition to the gantry arms retracting, there will be several other milestones leading up to today's launch. Many of those coming once we reach the tus 10 minute mark of the countdown. So about 25 minutes from now. At about tus 7 minutes, the pre-launch operations will be officially complete. And at that point in the countdown, the Soyos booster is officially ready for launch. And the engineers will continue to receive telemetry from both the Soy 2.1 booster and the Soyuse MS29 spacecraft to indicate that all primary and backup systems are set to support liftoff.

[00:28:16]>> About a minute after that mark at TUS 6 minutes, the launch key will then be inserted into the launch bunker. And this is a real key that transitions the launch sequence into automatic mode.

[00:28:29]About 30 seconds after that at tminus 5 minutes and 30 seconds launch control will report that the range at Bikenor is clear and the rocket is ready to begin its journey. Rocket is ready to begin its journey.

[00:28:42]>> 30 seconds after that at tminus 5 minutes the onboard systems will switch to onboard control and the commander cockpit displays and controls activated.

[00:28:53]And the crew members will also close their helmet visors which will put them on suit oxygen. A minute later, the fuel lines and other elements of the rocket engines will then be purged with nitrogen to fireproof them, which will remove vapors of fuel and oxidizer, which will remove vapors of fuel and oxidizer.

[00:29:09]>> About a minute and 15 seconds after that, the booers fuel tanks will officially be pressurized for flight, which optimizes the flow of fuel and helps to add structural support to the rocket. to add structural support to the >> about a minute and a half after that around the tminus 1 minute and 30 second mark things will pick up and the ground propellant feed will be terminated to the soy booster and shortly after that the soyos will then be on internal power and again around the tus 35 second mark umbilical tower will separate from the booster and we will have that auto sequence start and then the ground umbilical to the third stage will be disconnected and then the second umbilical tower will separate Which will initiate engine sequence start and then the launch sequence start and then the launch a spacecraft. Again, you're continuing to see a live view of that Soy 2.1A booster and it Soy's MS29 spacecraft as we continue to countdown for today's launch. We're just under 33 minutes away from launch as those countdown clocks continue to tick backwards. And there on your screen, you can see a live look inside that MS29 spacecraft. In the bottom portion of your screen is the so we use commander for today who is Ross cosmos cosminaut dub and to the right on the upper hand side of the screen is rosmos cosminaut and just out of the field of view on the other side of dubrav is NASA astronaut anal is NASA astronaut anal dubb is seated in the center as the commander and then is serving as board engineer number one and men is serving as board engineer Number two for today's flight.

[00:31:09]Engineered number two for today's flight.

[00:31:24]You briefly heard some music there and that music you hear is music specifically chosen by the crew and it's piped into the descent module of the soyos for the crew to listen to and help them relax at this point in the countdown. And there on your screen, you can now see NASA astronaut Emil Menon as he is strapped in to the descent module of the Soyu spacecraft. And dangling above on the top portion of the screen is that zero gravity indicator which we saw a look at earlier. Again, these are actually three separate little items that each crew member was able to choose and they hooked them all together.

[00:31:59]So for anal he chose to fly a plush dog which was in remembrance of his family dog which was a black German shepherd who recently passed away.

[00:32:11]>> Again the clock continuing to tick backwards. We're just about 31 minutes away from today's launch. That launch scheduled for 9:47 a.m. Central 10:47 a.m. Eastern which is 7:47 p.m. in Bikenor. 7:47 p.m. in Bon.

[00:32:54]Fire in the middle of a railroad For those of who you who are just joining us, you're seeing a live look inside the Soyuse MS29 spacecraft, the descent module specifically. And there on your screen, you can see NASA astronaut and Neil Min. And next to him is Ross Cosmos cosminaut is Pod Drav.

[00:33:42]And then next to him and out of the field of view is Ross Cosmos Anika.

[00:33:46]Rossmos Anika. The trio is set to launch on top of the Soy 2.1A rocket from its launch pad at the Bikonor Cosmo in Kazakhstan. Again, that liftoff scheduled for 9:47 a.m. Central time, 10:47 a.m. Eastern time, which is 7:47 p.m. in Bikenor in the Central Asian desert.

[00:34:08]>> The countdown is continuing to proceed on schedule with no issues being reported by engineers at the block house in Bor. Again, following today's launch, the Soyuse MS29 will have a two orbit journey ahead of it before docking to the International Space Station.

[00:34:24]>> That docking scheduled to take place later today at 12:56 p.m. Central, 1:56 p.m. Eastern to the Shaw module on the Earthacress of the station's Russian segment. Once the crew docks, teams will work through procedures to conduct fleet checks and pressurization of the vestibule, which is the space between the Soyuse hatch and the station hatch exposed to the vacuum of space prior to that docking.

[00:34:52]In preparation for hatch opening, pressurization will take place along with leak checks. And following this morning's launch, we will return on air for docking coverage at 12:10 p.m.

[00:35:03]Central, 1:10 p.m. Eastern, with hatch opening coverage taking place at 2:30 p.m. Central, 3:30 p.m. Eastern. Once the hatches are open, the newly arrived Soyuse MS29 crew will join the rest of the expedition 74 crew on board the International Space Station for a brief welcoming soy ceremony and then begin handover with the MS28 crew who will return to Earth later this month, returning NASA astronaut Chris Williams back to Earth. NASA astronaut Chris Williams.

[00:35:33]>> And during his 8 month stay as part of expedition 74 and 75, NASA astronaut anal men will conduct scientific investigations and technology demonstrations to help prepare humans for future exploration missions to the moon and Mars which will benefit people on Earth.

[00:35:50]>> One of those experiments is called inspace production of semiconductor crystals. Researchers are continuing to fine-tune in space production of semiconductor crystals to enable large scale manufacturing and boost the development of a low earth orbit commercial economy. These complex materials are critical for high performance computing, augmented reality, aerospace and autonomous and artificial intelligence systems.

[00:36:15]Autonomous and artificial intelligence systems. Another experiment that Anil will support is known as Venus flow which studies astronaut vein structure, blood flow and blood composition in microgravity to identify if physical differences cause blood flow abnormalities during space flight.

[00:36:32]Researchers will look to see if there are correlations between these factors and work to develop preventive measures for atrisisk crew members.

[00:36:43]>> Again, we are continuing to countdown for today's launch. We're about 26 minutes away from that liftoff, which is scheduled to take place at 8 9:47 p.m.

[00:36:54]Central. 10:47 p.m. So, sorry.

[00:36:58]>> 9:47 a.m. Central, 10:47 a.m. Eastern.

[00:37:02]10:47 a.m. Eastern. Right now, you're seeing a view from the balcony of the Russian Mission Control Center, which is in Cor Center outside of Moscow and Russia. outside of Moscow.

[00:37:15]>> Launch of the Soyos today is led by engineers from the block house and then control will then be transferred to this Russian mission control center. And of course, the teams here in mission control Houston inside the international space station flight control room with the team in Russia in preparation for today's rendevous and docking taking place later today. And docking taking place later today. The teams here in mission control Houston teams here in mission control Houston recently did do a go no-go poll to indicate station readiness to receive the Soyu spacecraft to receive the Soyu spacecraft.

[00:38:00]>> And now on your screen you are seeing some video from earlier today. Launch day four. The three crew members began several hours ago. began.

[00:38:10]>> They were awakened at their Cosminot Hotel crew quarters to begin their final pre-launch activities.

[00:38:17]>> The crew then signed their names on the doors to the rooms in the Cosminot Hotel where they spent the past 2 weeks. And then to traditional farewell music, the crew departed the Cosminot Hotel and boarded a bus. that bus there on your screen for about a 35minute ride to the integration and student facility at building 254 inside the bikors inside the Bikenor Cosmodrome.

[00:38:47]Again, this was the scene several hours ago. Again, this was as the crew departed the Cosminot Hotel.

[00:38:52]>> The crew departed the hotel. And there on your screen you can see as the crew arrived to the integration building and each crew member underwent final medical exams and suited up in their soal launch and entry suits.

[00:39:05]One by one the crew members moved to a mockup of a soy spacecraft seat to allow technicians to conduct pressure checks ensuring that their suits were airtight and free of any leaks.

[00:39:16]>> Suits were airtight and free of any leaks. undergoing those checks. First is commander for today who is Ross Cosmos Cosmot Drav. Cosmos cosminaut Peter Dubrav.

[00:39:58]Back over here and there briefly on your screen you can see NASA administrator Jared >> Isacman NASA administrator who flew to the Bikenor Cosmo Drrome in support of Today's launch of NASA astronaut Anil Menon's launch of NASA astronaut Anneil Menon while they were in the integration me uh building family members and invited guests looked on across a protective pane of glass to maintain that quarantine >> and that suitup was completed a little over 5 hours prior to launch hours prior to launch and then after the commander for the Soyu spacecraft today Pod Drav completed his final checks NASA astron soy spacecraft which allows the technicians there to conduct pressure checks and ensure that their suits are airtight and free of any leaks. Suits are airtight and free of any leaks.

[00:41:18]Yeah.

[00:41:20]Yeah.

[00:41:38]Again, this video coming from several hours ago as the crew completed some final suit checks ahead of today's launch. checks one by one. They completed those final pressure checks using a mockup of the Soy spacecraft seat of the Soy spacecraft. So commander Pod Dubro, who's a Ross cosmos cosminaut completed that check first followed by NASA astron who is serving as board engineer number two today on board the Soyuse MS29 spacecraft. And there you can see NASA astron speaking to his Soyuse commander Peter Drav. as Rossmos cosminaut on a Kika then completed her suit checks. Again, Kika is serving as board engineer number one today on board the Soy MS29 spacecraft. The Soy MS29 spacecraft as those checks were completed. They did have family members and guests looking across glass. And then the crew had the opportunity to exchange final remarks with senior NASA and Ross managers. NASA and Ross Cosmos.

[00:43:04]>> I'm full of joy. I'm full of joy. Thank you very much.

[00:43:10]Thank you very much.

[00:43:34]There you can see as there you can see Roscosmos cosminaut on a Kika Roscosmos >> exchanges some of those final remarks.

[00:43:42]We also briefly saw NASA astronaut astron.

[00:43:50]>> This is also a chance and a final opportunity for the crew to receive a status on vehicle preparations and it's also an opportunity for folks to provide good luck there.

[00:44:07]The other guys so best greetings from family Best wishes from the family. Best wishes from the family.

[00:44:40]You are in our thoughts. You are in our thoughts. Looking forward to see you back. Looking forward to see you back.

[00:44:51]The state commission uh has taken place.

[00:44:54]>> Commission uh the rocket is being filled up. By the time you're there, everything will be ready. By the time you're there, everything is nominal.

[00:45:03]>> Everything is nominal.

[00:45:05]>> Wishing you good luck.

[00:45:07]>> Wishing you know everything.

[00:45:09]>> You know everything.

[00:45:10]>> All true professionals. I have no doubt who would represent NASA and cosmos very well.

[00:45:16]>> Dil to you. Few have ever worked harder in their life to chase their dreams. No one has earned this more. God speed.

[00:45:25]Congratulations to the entire crew.

[00:45:31]On behalf of all of team behind us, on behalf of Chance and Jennifer Saltzman, all Americans, we're so proud of you. We love you. May God bless you and protect you throughout this entire mission. God speed, my friend, this entire God.

[00:45:47]>> Thank you, sir. Thank you.

[00:45:54]>> Again, that was as the crew exchanged final remarks with senior NASA and Ross Cosmos managers. We did see NASA administrator Jared Isaacman as well as deputy administrator Matt Anderson as they provided some final words of good luck and parting wisdom for NASA astra men.

[00:46:12]>> And then as tradition called for, the crew members left the site 254 integration building in Bikenor.

[00:46:18]allowing Dubra, who's the Soy commander, to report that he and his crew mates were ready to proceed to the launch pad.

[00:46:25]>> Crewates were ready to proceed to the launch pad.

[00:46:33]Inaudible.

[00:46:36]Inaudible.

[00:46:39]>> The trio then headed to their bus, which they boarded for their ride to launch site 31 at about 6:06 a.m. Central time, 7:06 a.m. Eastern time, Tuesday morning, which was about 4:06 p.m. Tuesday afternoon in Bike North. Tuesday afternoon in Bike North.

[00:47:04]Now onto the bus.

[00:47:06]>> Now onto the bus.

[00:47:13]There you can see as there you can see as people wish the crew well and the crew waves goodbye as they left the integration building and began their trek out to the launch pad. Again, that trip took a little less than an hour to complete across the sprawling and desolate launch complex. And desolate launch complex.

[00:48:00]There you can see as the Sways MS-29 crew arrived at the launch complex arrived at the launch complex. Leading the crew is Ross Cosmos cosminot Peter Dubrav and NASA astronaut Neil Menon is flanked to his right with Ross Cosmos cosminot to his right on a to arriving at the launch pad. The crew then had to climb a few stairs. Had to climb a few stairs. And >> you can see there NASA astronaut Anne Neil Menon being joined by NASA administrator Jared Isaacman and Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson. Deputy Administrator Matt leading them to those stairs. Again, the crew then climbed those stairs. The crew and waved goodbye to wellwishers. Waved goodbye to wellwishers.

[00:49:11]At the top of those stairs is Rosscosmos Cosmonaut on Kika and then NASA astron. And at the base, Soy's commander who is Ross Cosmos Cosminaut Pod Drov again waving a final goodbye as they prepare to board their launch vehicle. Again, this video being captured several hours ago. Several hours ago. Thank you.

[00:49:46]>> After they did their final waves, the crew entered the elevator for the ride to the top of the Soyuse rocket aboard their spacecraft.

[00:49:56]And the crew has now been aboard that Soyuse MS29 spacecraft for about the past 2 hours for about the past 2 hours.

[00:50:36]With that B-roll feed now complete, we are now back live looking at the launch pad where the Soy use 2.1A booster stands ready for launch in just about 12 minutes from now. At the time of launch, the International Space Station will be flying over southwest Kazakhstan, moving from southwest to northeast. The station will be 286 mi behind Soyuse and will pass directly over the bikor cosmmorome 28 seconds after the Soyuse 2A booster lifts off. Frogging past the Soyuse as Min Dubro and Kika climb to their preliminary orbit. 8 minutes and 45 seconds after launch, the third stage engine of the Soyuse booster will shut down and the Soy spacecraft will separate from its launch vehicle in its preliminary orbit, deploying its solar arrays and navigational antennas. At that point, the three Soy crew members will be 1,137 mi behind and 142 mi below the space station and the chase will begin. This will then result in a docking to the paw node module on the earth facing side of the space station's Russian segment at around 1256 p.m. Central time, 1:56 p.m.

[00:51:55]Eastern time. Again, following today's launch at 9:47 a.m. Central time, 10:47 a.m. Eastern time, which is 7:47 p.m. in Bikenor. The crew has a two orbit 3hour journey ahead of it. Ahead of that docking later today ahead of that docking later today at the launch site on the step of Kazakhstan.

[00:52:18]NASA officials are on hand to watch the beginning of the journey for NASA astron and his Ross Cosmos crew mates Pod Dro and Anna Kika. Leading the NASA delegation on hand for today's launch is NASA administrator Jared Isaacman, NASA human space flight deputy administrator Joel Monttobano, International Space Station Deputy Program Manager Dina Canella, Deputy Flight Operations Director Chel Lingren, and NASA astronaut Joe Aaba. And joining that delegation is NASA public affairs officer Joseph Zachchky, who filed this report a short time ago. Who filed this report a short time ago.

[00:52:54]>> Thank you, Anna. And good evening from the Bikenor Ksmod drone in Kazakhstan just a few miles away from the launch pad with the Soyu stands ready for liftoff. In addition to the NASA officials that you had mentioned here to support the crew are several family members and friends of NASA astronaut Anil Menon including his wife Anna who flew alongside administrator Jared Isaacman on the Polaris dawn mission back in 2024. When Anil reaches orbit, he and Anna will become the 11th spouse team to fly in space. During the crew press conference, Menon shared his excitement for the mission and is eager to begin scientific research on his very first day aboard the orbiting laboratory. He is also excited to bring many personal family traditions to the station, including celebrating the Christmas holiday season with his expedition crew mates. The weather heading into these final moments before launch is in the high 90s Fahrenheit, and there will be a special moment for those here at the viewing site as the International Space Station will fly over Bikenor just seconds after liftoff.

[00:53:46]We continue to stand by for the launch of NASA astronaut Anil Men and Roscosmos cosminaut Dubov and Anna Kika on their journey to the International Space Station. Back over to you.

[00:53:57]Back over to you Anna. Again, that was NASA public affairs officer Joseph Zakvski who is at the launch site in Kazakhstan alongside the rest of the NASA delegation awaiting today's launch of the Soyuse MS29 spacecraft which will carry NASA astronaut and Neil Men and Ross Cosmos cosminauts Peter Dubro and Anna Kika to the International Space Station for an 8mon mission. We're just under 9 minutes away from today's launch and you are seeing a view inside the Soyuse spacecraft. There on your screen you can see NASA astronaut anil men and he is joined by the commander of the Soyuse who is Pota Dubro who is seated next to Min inside that descent module of the Soyos. And then just out of field of view is Ross Cosmos cosminaut on a Kika.

[00:54:50]in today is serving as board engineer number two for the spacecraft. Kika is serving as board engineer number one and Dro is the commander of the Soy spacecraft of the Soy. Coming up in just over a minute around the tminus 7 minute mark, pre-launch operations will be complete. And at that point in the countdown, the Soy booster is officially ready for launch as engineers will continue to receive telemetry from both the Soy 2.1A booster and the Soy MS29 spacecraft, which will indicate that all primary and backup systems are set to support systems are set to support.

[00:55:26]Again, launch today is scheduled for 9:47 a.m. Central time, 10:47 a.m.

[00:55:32]Eastern time, which is 7:47 p.m. in Bikenor.

[00:55:37]Following their approximately 8 minute ride, 8 minute 5second ride to orbit, the crew will then have a two orbit 3hour chase to the space station ahead of a docking later today around 12:56 p.m. Central, 1:56 p.m. Eastern time. 56 p.m. Eastern time.

[00:55:59]163 one in redness. 163 everything is per schedule.

[00:56:04]>> The launch was broadcast.

[00:56:06]The launch will broadcast. I copy.

[00:56:09]Everything is fine on board. We are ready for launch. Everything is fine on board. We are ready for launch. Copy.

[00:56:21]You were just hearing some interpretation there of the crew and the teams on the ground as the countdown continues. We did hear confirmation there that the crew on board the Soy MS29 spacecraft is go for today's launch just under 7 minutes from now.

[00:56:37]>> Now that we are inside that 7 minute mark, the pre-launch operations are officially complete. So the Soy booster is ready for launch and the engineers continuing to receive telemetry from the Soy booster and it spacecraft >> and the launch today is precisely time for the moment when the Earth's rotation will place the bike cosmo in the plane or corridor of the orbit of the space station which is inclined 51.6° to either side of the equator.

[00:57:05]Coming up in just a few moments at tminus 6 minutes, the launch key will be inserted into the launch bunker. And this is a real key that transitions the launch sequence into automatic mode.

[00:57:16]Launch sequence into automatic mode.

[00:57:28]Now that we're inside that t-minus 6 minute mark ahead of today's launch, that launch key has been inserted into the launch bunker. So the launch sequence has officially transitioned into auto automatic mode. And coming up in just under 7 seconds or so from now at T-minus 5 minutes and 30 seconds, we will hear launch control report that the range of Bikenor is clear and that the Soyuse rocket is ready to begin its journey. So rocket is ready to begin its journey.

[00:58:06]And coming up in just about 10 seconds from now, around the tminus 5 minute mark, the onboard systems will switch to onboard control and the commander cockpit displays will be activated.

[00:58:18]The crew members will also close their helmet visors which will put them on suit oxygen. Again, you are seeing a live look at the Soy 2.1A booster which stands ready to launch. NASA astronaut Neil Men alongside his Roscosmos crew mates Pod Dubra and Anna Kikin to the International Space Station. We are now inside that 5minute mark approaching 4 minutes and 30 seconds away from today's launch. And about 30 seconds from now the fuel lines and other elements of the rocket engine are going to be purged with nitrogen which will fireproof them by removing vapors of fuel and oxidizer.

[00:58:55]Vapors of fuel and oxidizer. Again, today's launch is scheduled to take place at 9:47 a.m. Central time, 10:47 a.m. Eastern time, which is 7:47 p.m. in Bor.

[00:59:08]The countdown clocks continuing to tick backwards and everything proceeding as planned with no issues being reported from engineers at the block house in Bor.

[00:59:18]>> And we're now just under 4 minutes away from today's launch of the Soyuse MS29 spacecraft. So the fuel lines and other elements of the rocket engines are now being purged with nitrogen to fireproof them. And coming up in just about a minute from now at the tus 2 minute 45se second mark the booster fuel tanks are officially pressurized being pressurized for flight which will optimize the flow of fuel and help to add structural support to the rocket to add structural support to the rocket.

[01:00:06]For those of you who are just joining us, we are in the final moments of the launch countdown for the Soyuse MS29 spacecraft, which is encapsulated on top the Soyuse 2.1A booster, which you can see there in the center of your This rocket is preparing to launch NASA astronal men and Ross Cosmos cosminauts Pod Dubro and Anna Kik on a two orbit 3hour journey to the International Space Station where they will remain for an 8mon mission for an 8-month mission.

[01:00:41]And now that we are about 2 minutes and two and a half minutes away from today's launch, the booster's fuel tanks are now being pressurized for flight, which helps to optimize the flow of fuel and add structural support to the rocket.

[01:00:54]Just under a minute from now, around the tus 1 minute and 30 second mark, the ground propellant feed will be terminated to the Soies booster will be terminated to the Soies booster. About 30 seconds after that, the Sways will then be transitioned to internal power and we will be inside the Tminus 1 minute mark to lift off. Again, that liftoff scheduled to take place at 9:47 and 43 seconds a.m. Central time. 10:47 and 43 seconds a.m. Eastern time, which is 7:43 and 47 and 43 seconds in Bonor. 43 seconds in Biconor.

[01:01:37]Again, you are seeing a live look of the Soyuse 2.1A booster that MS29 spacecraft encapsulated on top of that rocket.

[01:01:46]Encapsulated on top of that rocket. We are just under tus 1 and a half minutes away from today's liftoff. It is a 10sec window. So now that we are inside that mark, the ground propellant V has now been terminated to the Soyuse booster to the about 15 seconds. This way will officially be on internal power.

[01:02:07]>> And then once we get to the t-minus 35 second mark, the first umbilical tower will separate from the booster and we will have auto sequence start which will be followed by the ground umbilical to the third stage disconnecting and then around tus 15 seconds the second umbilical tower will separate which will initiate engine sequence start which will initiate engine sequence start.

[01:02:30]We are less than a minute away from today's liftoff of the Soyos MS29 spacecraft which means the Soyuse is now on internal power is now on internal power tower from booster. The separation of the first umbilical tower has now separated from the booster. So we have auto sequence start. You can see that umbilical falling away there.

[01:02:53]And the second umbilical tower will separate momentarily which will initiate engine sequence start. We are under 20 seconds away from today's launch.

[01:03:02]>> 20 seconds away from today's launch.

[01:03:04]>> And liftoff. Lift off and lift off. Lift off.

[01:03:09]>> Launch command issued for ignition.

[01:03:11]>> The launch command has been issued. The launch command has been issued.

[01:03:17]Second tower separates.

[01:03:24]>> Booster ignition now at full throttle and liftoff. Min Dumbra and Kika now on their way to the International Space Station as part of a two orbit journey.

[01:03:39]>> We have a good roll, pitch, and yaw as we head down range. As we heading down range, >> engines of the first and second stage are functioning normal. First and second stage, >> we have confirmation that the first and second stage engines have good performance. Engines have good we have good structural parameter performance and the Soyuse is delivering 930,000 lbs of thrust from its four boosters single engine. The first stage of the Soyuse measures 68 ft in length and 24 ft in diameter, burning liquid fuel for the first 2 minutes and 6 seconds of flight.

[01:04:19]>> We're now a minute into today's flight.

[01:04:22]Everything continuing to proceed as planned and the velocity is currently 1,100 mph. 1,100 mph.

[01:04:33]>> 70.

[01:04:34]>> The flight is nominal. 70. flight nominal nominal.

[01:04:39]>> We're now a minute and 20 seconds into today's flight of the Soy MS20 spacecraft on top that Soy 2.1A booster.

[01:04:47]We still have good first stage performance. We still have good first stage performance.

[01:04:58]>> First and second stage engines. First and second stage engines.

[01:05:04]4731.

[01:05:12]>> We're now 1 minute and 54 seconds into today's flight. So, the escape tower has been jettisoned tower momentarily. The four there we see there the four strap on boosters have been jettisoned and these have completed their job and have dropped away at an altitude of 28 statute miles. still use is now traveling at about 3,350 mph. And there you can see on your screen as those four strap-on boosters were jettison.

[01:05:40]>> Again, everything continuing to proceed as planned. We are receiving good reports of the structural performance of the Soyuse as it continues its ride uphill. As it continues its ride uphill, we are now just over 2 and 1/2 minutes into today's launch of the Soy MS29 spacecraft. MS and that launch shroud has now been jettisoned and the rocket's altitude is now about 48 m high now about 48 m high and we're now seeing an external rocket camera view that the crew will switch in to replace the incam view at that time of fairing separation at that time of fairing separation.

[01:06:19]We're now 3 minutes into today's launch of the three spacecraft. Everything continuing to proceed as planned and receiving good reports from the block house in Bikenor. Reports from the block house in Bikenor. The Soyuse is now traveling at a speed of about 4,700 mph.

[01:06:36]4,700 mph. The Soy core stage is performing as expected. And the core stage of the Soyos is 56 feet in length, 13 1/2 ft in diameter with a single engine with four fuel chambers providing between 178,000 and 220,000 lb of thrust for its 3 minute and 28 seconds of operation. 28 seconds of operation.

[01:07:01]Control system parameters nominal system. We're about 3 minutes and 45 seconds into today's flight of the Soyuse as it continues its flight uphill. It is about an 8 minute and 50 second total ride to orbit before we have that third stage separation and the soy spacecraft will be on its way to chase the international space station.

[01:07:27]The core stage once it was ignited but continues to burn until the 4 minute 43 second mark which is coming up in about 30 seconds from now. And the soy uses what's called a hot stage technique and the third stage will then ignite while the second is still burning. And this is why the soy has an open area in between the second and third stages.

[01:08:00]We are continuing to receive good reports of the Soyu's performance as it continues its journey uphill. We're now about 4 minutes and 50 seconds into today's flight. So the third stage did begin igniting at that 4 minute 45se second mark which means the second stage is now shutting down which means the second stage is now shutting down. And we do have confirmation of second stage separation of second stage >> copy separation of second stage separation and that separation taking place at an altitude of 105 miles. So the Soyuse is now being propelled by the single engine of the Soyuse third stage and this engine is providing 67,000 lb of thrust and will burn for a total of 4 minutes and 2 seconds. For a total of 4 minutes and 2 seconds.

[01:08:51]We're now about 5 and a half minutes into today's launch of the Soyuse spacecraft.

[01:08:57]We're about 3 minutes away from that third third stage separation stage separation at which point the Soyu spacecraft and its crew will officially be on their way to the International Space Station. Again, that third stage shut down taking place about 8 minutes and 46 seconds into today's launch.

[01:09:16]About 3 minutes from now, shortly followed by that third stage separation.

[01:09:20]Shortly followed by that third stage separation.

[01:09:27]>> 360 seconds.

[01:09:31]Copy on board. Everything is fine. Copy on board. Everything is fine.

[01:09:42]We're now just over 6 minutes and 20 seconds into today's launch of the Soy 2.1A booster, which was carrying the Soyuse MS29 spacecraft to orbit as it begins its journey to the International Space Station. We are continuing to receive good reports of good and yaw of the spacecraft as it continues its journey uphill.

[01:10:07]And about a minute from now and the minute velocity of the spacecraft will reach about 13,500 m an hour 13,500 m an hour.

[01:10:19]Again, all of those performance call outs that you're hearing, those are being reported by the engineers at the block house in Bikenor. After orbital insertion, the command will officially be transitioned to the Russian mission control center in corre.

[01:10:42]I don't hear well enough. I copy. I don't hear well enough. I copy.

[01:10:50]We are now 7 and a half minutes in following the liftoff of the So 2.1A booster. Again, that liftoff taking place at 9:47 a.m. Central time, 10:47 a.m. Eastern time.

[01:11:03]The performance of the vehicle continuing to proceed as expected and we are now under a minute away from that third stage shutdown. Quickly followed by third stage separation on board. This guy feeling great. Still calm is not ideal. I don't >> Once the third stage delivers the Soy to orbit and the module is separated, a series of pre-programmed commands will be executed to prepare these for orbital operations.

[01:11:33]These stored commands called time tagged commands allow many of the Soya's systems to be automatically activated by onboard computers at precise times stored in those computers. Precise times stored in those computers.

[01:11:47]500. The flight is going well. 500. The flight is going well.

[01:11:52]>> We are about 15 seconds away from that third stage cutoff and separation. Stage cutoff and separation right now. About 8 minutes and 40 seconds into today's flight. In today's flight into flight, get ready for separation. Get ready for separation.

[01:12:11]>> And we have confirmation of preliminary separation of that third stage. ary separation of that third stage.

[01:12:21]And there you can see it falling away on the upper portion of your screen. So again, that third stage cut off and separation taking place about 8 minutes and 50 seconds into today's flight. And we have confirmation that the Soyuse MS29 spacecraft has been officially inserted into orbit. inserted. The Soyuse capsule and its crew are now safely in orbit and the spacecraft is automatically executing its pre-programmed commands which then deploy those solar arrays which you can see there on your screen.

[01:12:54]>> Those pre uh programmed controls also of course deploy the antennas. So now that the Soyu spacecraft and its crew are safely in orbit, control of the spacecraft from here on out will be overseen from the Russian mission control center outside of Moscow in Corv outside of Moscow in Corv and you're welcome to select to the left. You're welcome to the left.

[01:13:26]And we have confirmation that all of these solar arrays and antennas have been successful successfully deployed following that orbital insertion following that orbital insertion. Again, this comes following a liftoff of the 2.1A booster which carried the Soyus MS29 spacecraft to orbit following a launch from the Bikenor Cosmo in Kazakhstan at 9:47 a.m. Central, 10:47 a.m. Eastern, which was 7:47 p.m. at the Bikenor Cosmite in Kazakhstan in Kazakhstan. Now that the crew which includes NASA astronaut and Neil men alongside his Ross Cosmo Ross Cosmos cosminaut crew mates Pod Dubro and Anna Kika are safely in orbit. They are now beginning their two orbit threehour chase to the International Space Station. We do expect that docking to take place at around 12:56 p.m. Central time, 1:56 p.m. Eastern time 6:00 p.m.

[01:14:32]Oh, what? Eastern time.

[01:14:33]>> Radio link should have random.

[01:14:43]Copy the video.

[01:14:46]>> And you're now seeing a view from the balcony just looking into the Russian mission control center in Corov outside of Moscow and Russia. Now that the Soy spacecraft is safely in orbit, the Russian mission control center has now taken over control of the spacecraft.

[01:15:05]>> Prior to that orbital insertion, the engineers at the block house in Bikenor were in control of today's launch activities. Of course, the team out in Russia at the Russian Mission Control Center outside of Moscow are working closely with our team here in the International Space Station flight control room at Mission Control Houston in preparation for today's rendevous and docking operations. Following that rendevu and jocking the crew on board the space station, the expedition 74 crew will of course officially welcome the new arrivals and it will briefly increase the station population from 7 to 10 population from 7 to 10. 9 0 and 9 8 and 94 is uh the next measurement at 18 005. I deactivated the system.

[01:16:03]We are standing by um form 03 and let's start with line item 17.

[01:16:12]>> Let's start with line item 17.

[01:16:19]I am ready to read out the form form 03 for you. Go ahead. Line 17.1 line versus 18 16.5 1927 20 191.1 line 21 0 81 0 22nd 335 23rd 337 24 76 line 257 9 line 26 270 26 8 78 8 Copy You can perform the uh display checkout for page 38. Display checkout for page 38.

[01:17:28]And we um have completed the vertical build and we are um and we are moving on to the EAVA sensors. Moving on to the sensors. Copy.

[01:17:54]>> For current the current VHF com uh is going to be over at 1808 the com pass is over. Please deactivate for assets from the control panel. And then we are going to uh test a relay satellite um relay at 1812.

[01:18:19]at 18 with plus two plus or minus 2 minute correction.

[01:18:26]>> Plus orus correction >> 1812 and please please monitor the activation is going to be activated via command radio command radio.

[01:18:43]1820 is the end of the compass using satellite compass using satellites.

[01:18:49]>> And you are hearing some interpretated conversations of the crew on board the Soy spacecraft as they complete some communications checkouts that comes following the orbital insertion and launch of the Soy M 29 spacecraft and its crew just under 20 minutes ago.

[01:19:07]Again, that liftoff of a Soy 2.1A booster carrying the Soy MS29 spacecraft with NASA astronaut Neil Min and Roscosmos cosminauts Peter Dubro and Anuka Kika aboard occurred on time at 9:47 a.m. Central time, 10:47 a.m.

[01:19:23]Eastern time, which was 7:47 p.m. in Bikenor from launchpad 6, site 31 in the cosmic drone in Kazakhstan. All three stages operated as expected during an 8 minute 46 second ride to place soy in its preliminary orbit where it is now.

[01:19:42]The Soy spacecraft has now begun a short two orbit chase to arrive at its final destination, the International Space Station. Docking today is scheduled for 12:56 p.m. Central time, 1:56 p.m.

[01:19:55]Eastern time with live NASA coverage beginning at 12:10 p.m. Central time, 1:10 p.m. Eastern. We will follow that up with live coverage of hatch opening and welcoming remarks beginning at 2:30 p.m. Central time, 3:30 p.m. Eastern time.

[01:20:10]>> Until then, this is Mission Control Houston. This is Mission Control Houston.

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[01:20:44]>> Championing policies that can triple a person's chance of survival. We are the American Heart Association.

[01:21:03]Sacramento. Fore!

[01:21:05]Foreign! Foreign!

[01:21:36]Amen.

[01:21:52]Santa Maria.

[01:22:00]Amen.

[01:22:03]Glor.

[01:22:14]Amen.

[01:22:24]On your screen is astronaut and field.

[01:22:44]Count 9:47 a.m. Central time.

[01:23:16]It was a warm earlier today.

[01:23:25]Launched by engineers by the process of fans and ready for launch. And now you're seeing a live space station here in Houston, Texas. 15 curling on top.

[01:24:25]Maria Ruth.

[01:24:41]Amen.

[01:24:44]All set and app just over 3 hours in direction to International Space Station with scheduled at 12:56 p.m. Central time 1:56 p.m. Eastern time to module on the Earth site of the International Space Station.

[01:25:08]around 2 and 1 half hours will be open between spacecraft and then keep it up and be created by nationally and astronauts just agency. series.

[01:25:40]After hangover spacecraft on July 26, Kazakhstan after spending about a few months on board space conduct program investigations and research towards foreign.

[01:26:47]Amen.

[01:27:02]Santa Maria.

[01:27:11]Amen.

[01:27:18]foreign.

[01:27:25]Amen.

[01:27:36]International space station.

[01:28:03]for the international space station.

[01:28:06]We also have this vehicle officer today.

[01:28:56]Amen. operations.

[01:29:00]centers communicating Monday time 10:47 a.m. Eastern time which is 7:47 p.m. by far Central.

[01:29:31]The countdown is to proceed.

[01:29:36]We are just about to open with no issues by each restaurant.

[01:30:06]descent module and he has linked to his left by engineer one right and the second days of previous Sacramento station.

[01:31:00]Maria station engineer.