Russia Resumes Manned Soyuz Flights

Russia has launched a spacecraft carrying three passengers, two Russians and one American, into outer space, marking the first launch since a failed mission in August which resulted in the destruction of the craft. The Soyuz rocket used was of the same type that crashed in August, however safety checks and tests were extensive before liftoff. Currently, Russia is the only nation capable of launching rockets to the International Space Station, as well as any other missions to outer space involving personnel. Russia also had a failed probe launch earlier this week as the rocket heading to Mars got stuck in orbit. The Soyuz rocket launch occurred in Kazakhstan earlier today, and is expected to dock with the International Space Station in two days after which it will return to Earth.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-15715260

by Brandon Bard