JMJMC.OVERSTEYNShttp://www.flightglobal.com/airspace/blogs/jmjmcoversteyns/atom.aspxCommunity Server2009-05-27T09:37:00ZSoyuz TMA-15 is ready for blast off from Baikonur - Expedition 20 ISS crew/airspace/blogs/jmjmcoversteyns/archive/2009/05/27/soyuz-tma-15-is-ready-for-blast-off-from-baikonur.aspx2009-05-27T07:37:00Z2009-05-27T07:37:00Z<p>A Soyuz TMA-15 spacecraft is to lift off from the Baikonur today Wednesday May 27th 2009 for a mission to the ISS.</p>
<p>Crew: Belgian astronaut <a class="" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_De_Winne">Frank De Winne</a>, Canadian astronaut Bob Thirsk (his first space flight took place in 1996 aboard of a space shuttle mission STS-78) and Russian cosmonaut Roman Romanenko (his father was cosmonaut Joeri Romanenko).</p>
<p>It will be the second space flight for astronaut Frank De Winne, first space flight took place in 2002 when he spent 9 days aboard ISS this time he will stay for half a year, after 4 months he will be the first European to take over as commander of the ISS. </p>
<p>It will also double the ISS permanent crew from 3 to 6.</p>
<p>Frank will serve as flight engineer on Expedition 20 and as commander on Expedition 21.</p>
<p><a class="" href="http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/main/index.html">More on the NASA site.</a></p>
<p><a class="" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8069419.stm">More you can find on BBC. </a></p>
<p><a class="" href="http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/hyperbola/2009/05/pictures-the-soyuz-tma-15-roll.html">More pictures at Flightglobal Blog Hyperbola with Rob Coppinger. </a></p>
<p>PS.: From August 1998 Frank De Winne became commander of the 349th SQN of Kleine Brogel in Belgium (EBBL).</p><div style="clear:both;"></div><img src="http://www.flightglobal.com/airspace/aggbug.aspx?PostID=30641" width="1" height="1">JMJMC.OVERSTEYNShttp://www.flightglobal.com/airspace/members/JMJMC.OVERSTEYNS/default.aspx