On September 25, 2014 at 20:25 UTC (on September 26, 2014 at 00:25 Moscow time) the Russian “Soyuz TMA-14M” spacecraft was launched from Baykonur Cosmodrome. The space vehicle was orbited by the Russian “Soyuz-FG” rocket-carrier. The spacecraft is piloted by 3 cosmonauts: Commander, Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Samokutyaev (center); flight-engineer, Russian cosmonaut Elena Serova (right); American astronaut Barry Wilmore (left).

Photo by Russian Cosmonaut training center.

A U.S.-Russian trio includes the first Russian woman, Elena Serova, to work on board the International Space Station (ISS). E.Serova is only the fourth female Russian cosmonaut to fly into space, and will be the first Russian woman to serve on board the ISS. The 38-year-old engineer has spent seven years training for the role.

The space vehicle is to dock with the International Space Station on September 26. Samokutyaev, Serova and Wilmore will join current ISS expedition members Suraev, Wiseman and Gerst.