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Paris, 30 October 2002
Press Release
Nø 68-2002

ESA's Belgian astronaut on way to 
Space Station in new Soyuz spacecraft
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The fourth taxi flight to the International Space Station carrying a
European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut and two Russian crew members 
made a perfect lift-off today (Wednesday, 30 October 2002) from the 
vast open plains of Baikonur, Kazakhstan, into the rising sun at 08:11 
local time (04:11 Central European Time, 03:11 Universal Time).

ESA astronaut Frank De Winne, a former Belgian Air Force pilot, and 
his fellow crew members, Soyuz Mission Commander Sergei Zaletin and 
Soyuz Flight Engineer Yuri Lonchakov, are due to dock with the Space 
Station in two days' time on Friday, 1 November at 06:00 CET (05:00 
UT). The hatch between the Soyuz spacecraft and the Space Station will 
be opened at 07:30 CET (06:30 UT).

The crew are flying a new Soyuz TMA-1 spacecraft, a modified and 
updated version of the TM-34 Soyuz capsule currently attached to the 
Space Station.

It will remain attached to the Space Station for six months - acting 
as a rescue vehicle for the resident crew in case of an onboard 
emergency.

Soyuz Flight Engineer De Winne, the first Belgian astronaut to visit 
the Space Station and the first non-Russian ever to fly on the first 
flight of a new Russian vehicle, is the fourth European astronaut to 
visit the Station.

During his eight-day stay, De Winne will carry out a programme of 23
experiments in the fields of life and physical sciences and education,
including four physical science experiments using the Microgravity 
Science Glovebox (MSG) - an important research facility designed and 
developed in Europe.

De Winne's hopes for the mission extend beyond the success of the new
Soyuz spacecraft delivery and the programme of experiments. They also
encompass the desire to see space made real and exciting for young 
people.

"During the mission I will be involved in a variety of educational
activities. It is important to talk directly to our young people - we 
need to make space, technology and science interesting and relevant to 
them," he said.

The Odissea crew will head back to Earth on board the older TM-34 
Soyuz currently attached to the Space Station. Landing in Kazakhstan 
is scheduled for Sunday, 10 November 2002 at 05:03 local time (01:03 
CET, 00:03 UT).

For further information, please contact: 
ESA Media Relations Service
Tel: +33 (0)1.5369.7155 
Fax: +33 (0)1.5369.7690

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