Launch Photos: Soyuz Rocket Launches Expedition 49/50 Crew to Space Station

Engaging the Rocket

Following the Soyuz MS-02 reaching a vertical position, the gantry arms raise around the craft on Sunday, Oct. 19, 2016 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The trio of astronauts — flight engineer Shane Kimbrough of NASA, Soyuz commander Sergey Ryzhikov of Roscosmos, and flight engineer Andrey Borisenko of Roscosmos — are scheduled to launch on Expedition 49 to the International Space Station Oct. 19.

Approving the Mission

NASA's Shane Kimbrough, flight engineer for Expedition 49 to the International Space Station, speaks during the State Commission Oct. 18 meeting to approve the Oct. 19 launch of the spacecraft.

Avoiding Germs

In quarantine behind glass, Expedition 49 flight engineer Shane Kimbrough attends a crew press conference Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016 in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, in preparation for the Oct. 19, 2016 launch to the International Space Station with his other crewmates Soyuz commander Sergey Ryzhikov and flight engineer Andrey Borisenko of Roscosmos.

The Gang's All Here

Prime crewmembers Shane Kimbrough of NASA, left, Sergey Ryzhikov of Roscosmos, second from left, and Andrey Borisenko of Roscosmos, third from left, for Expedition 49, with backup crewmembers Mark Vande Hei of NASA, third from right, Alexander Misurkin of Roscosmos, second from right, and Nikolai Tikhonov of Roscosmos, right, pose together following a crew press conference Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016. Expedition 49 heads to the International Space Station on Oct. 19, 2016.

Ready for Takeoff

Expedition 49's prime crewmembers — flight engineer Shane Kimbrough of NASA, left, Soyuz commander Sergey Ryzhikov of Roscosmos, center, and flight engineer Andrey Borisenko of Roscosmos, right — pose for a photo after the crew press conference Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016 at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. The expedition is scheduled for liftoff Oct. 19.