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| The TMA-8 spacecraft was launched into space today, March 30 (Photo: AP) |
Today (March 30), a Russian rocket successfully launched the TMA-8 spacecraft into space, sending the first Brazilian astronaut and two Russian-American astronauts into orbit for work at the International Space Station (ISS).
The TMA-8 spacecraft took off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in the desert region of Kazakhstan, carrying astronauts Pavel Vinogradov (Russian) and Jeffrey Williams (American) for a six-month mission on the ISS. Additionally, it also includes Brazil’s first astronaut – Marcos C. Pontes.
To prepare for this flight, Pontes began training in October last year at the Star City (near Moscow). Prior to this, he participated in training programs at the Johnson Space Center in the United States starting in 1998.
During his time on the ISS, Pontes is expected to conduct scientific experiments, including in the field of nanotechnology, and study the surface of Brazil from space. He is scheduled to return on April 9 along with Russian-American astronauts Valery Tokarev and Bill McArthur, who are currently working on the ISS.
This marks the 13th international flight to the ISS. The TMA-8 spacecraft is expected to dock with the ISS on April 1. According to the plan, astronauts Pavel Vinogradov and Jeffrey Williams will conduct over 65 scientific experiments on the ISS.
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