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Lift-off for woman space tourist Lift-off for woman space tourist
(about 3 hours later)
The first woman space tourist has blasted off on a Russian Soyuz rocket from Baikonur in Kazakhstan.The first woman space tourist has blasted off on a Russian Soyuz rocket from Baikonur in Kazakhstan.
The mission is carrying Iranian-born businesswoman, Anousheh Ansari, along with a fresh crew for the International Space Station (ISS).The mission is carrying Iranian-born businesswoman, Anousheh Ansari, along with a fresh crew for the International Space Station (ISS).
Ms Ansari, a 40-year-old US citizen, is thought to have paid at least $20m (£10.6m) for the mission.Ms Ansari, a 40-year-old US citizen, is thought to have paid at least $20m (£10.6m) for the mission.
Lift-off took place at 1010 local time (0410 GMT) and the Soyuz has entered orbit successfully, officials said. Lift-off took place at 1010 local time (0410 GMT), with the Soyuz successfully entering orbit soon after.
The mission is expected to reach the ISS on Wednesday.The mission is expected to reach the ISS on Wednesday.
The Atlantis shuttle, which undocked from the ISS on Sunday, is expected to land back on Earth on Wednesday. The Atlantis shuttle, which undocked from the ISS on Sunday to make way for the Soyuz capsule, is expected to land back on Earth on Wednesday.
'Fragile Earth''Fragile Earth'
Ms Ansari is accompanying Russian cosmonaut Mikhail Tyurin and US astronaut Michael Lopez-Alegria, who will join German astronaut Thomas Reiter on the station. Ms Ansari is accompanying Russian cosmonaut Mikhail Tyurin and US astronaut Michael Lopez-Alegria, who will join German astronaut Thomas Reiter on the station. They represent Expedition 14. Ms Ansari s the fourth space tourist after Dennis Tito, Mark Shuttleworth and Greg Olsen.
She is the fourth space tourist. Ahead of lift-off, Ms Ansari said she was an ambassador for attracting private investment into space programmes.
Ahead of lift-off Ms Ansari said she was an ambassador for attracting private investment into space programmes. The Soyuz lifts off into a blue skyMs Ansari, who made her fortune in telecoms, also said the trip would put the planet into perspective.
Ms Ansari, who made her fortune in telecoms, also said the trip would put the planet into perspective. "You'll see how small and how fragile the Earth is compared to the rest of the Universe. It will give us a better sense of responsibility."
"You'll see how small and how fragile the Earth is compared to the rest of the universe. It will give us a better sense of responsibility." On the ISS, Ms Ansari will carry out experiments on back pain for the European Space Agency (Esa).
On the ISS, Ms Ansari will carry out experiments on back pain for the European Space Agency.
Ms Ansari replaced Japanese businessman Daisuke Enomoto, who dropped out due to unspecified medical reasons.Ms Ansari replaced Japanese businessman Daisuke Enomoto, who dropped out due to unspecified medical reasons.
Cosmonaut Tyurin said Ms Ansari had been "very professional" in her training.Cosmonaut Tyurin said Ms Ansari had been "very professional" in her training.
Ms Ansari will return on 28 September with two other space station occupants.Ms Ansari will return on 28 September with two other space station occupants.
The returning Atlantis crew has seen the addition of two massive solar panel wings for the station's power generation. The returning Atlantis crew installed two massive solar wings on the ISS.