OREANDA-NEWS. On October 12, 2008 at 11:01 Moscow time, Soyuz- FG launcher successfully lifted-off from the Baikonur space port to place into orbit Soyuz TMA-13 crew vehicle with ISS-18 / VC-15 crew aboard. Soyuz TMA-13 will take Yury Lonchakov, Michael Fincke and Richard Garriott to the International Space Station.

Soyuz TMA-13 reached Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) after nominal separation of the launcher`s third stage. Crew vehicle`s docking to the ISS is scheduled for Oct. 14, 2008, at 12:37 Moscow time.