BY JUSTIN RAY

Follow the launch of the Expedition 19 crew to the space station aboard the Russian Soyuz spacecraft. Reload this page for updates.

Additional coverage for subscribers:
VIDEO: FULL EXPERIENCE FROM LIFTOFF TO ORBIT PLAY
VIDEO: SOYUZ ROCKET LAUNCHES EXPEDITION 19 PLAY
VIDEO: THREE CAMERA REPLAYS OF THE LAUNCH PLAY
VIDEO: NARRATED HIGHLIGHTS OF CREW'S LAUNCH PREPS PLAY

VIDEO: CROWD WELCOMES CREW AT BAIKONUR PAD PLAY
VIDEO: CREW DEPARTS SITE 254 FOR LAUNCH PAD PLAY
VIDEO: VIPS MEET THE CREW ON LAUNCH MORNING PLAY
VIDEO: CREW MEMBERS DON THEIR SOKOL SPACESUITS PLAY
VIDEO: LAUNCH MORNING TRADITIONS AT CREW QUARTERS PLAY

VIDEO: SOYUZ MOVED TO LAUNCH PAD FOR EXPEDITION 19 PLAY
VIDEO: ROCKET HOISTED VERTICALLY ONTO LAUNCH PAD PLAY
VIDEO: INTERVIEW WITH ISS DEPUTY PROGRAM MANAGER PLAY
VIDEO: INTERVIEW WITH FORMER ISS COMMANDER PLAY
VIDEO: ASSEMBLY OF SOYUZ ROCKET COMPLETED PLAY
VIDEO: HIGHLIGHTS OF CREW'S ACTIVITIES AT BAIKONUR PLAY
VIDEO: EXPEDITION 19 CREW PRE-FLIGHT BRIEFING PLAY
SUBSCRIBE NOW

SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 2009
1636 GMT (12:36 p.m. EDT)

The hatchway between the Soyuz spacecraft and the space station was opened at 12:36 p.m. EDT, allowing Expedition 19 commander Gennady Padalka, astronaut Michael Barratt and space tourist Charles Simonyi to float into the international complex. There to greet the new crew is Expedition 18 commander Mike Fincke, cosmonaut Yury Lonchakov and Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata.

1353 GMT (9:53 a.m. EDT)

Cosmonaut Gennady Padalka took over manual control and guided the Soyuz TMA-14 spacecraft to a smooth docking with the international space station today to cap a two-day orbital chase that began with blastoff Thursday from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

Read our launch story.

1342 GMT (9:42 a.m. EDT)

Russian officials now say there was an indication of a thruster issue on the Soyuz that prompted the switch to manual mode. But commander Gennady Padalka had no problem flying the spacecraft to docking.

1335 GMT (9:35 a.m. EDT)

In the post-docking press conference underway at the Russian Mission Control Center outside Moscow, officials say the situation that caused the autopilot to be overridden today will have to be investigated. There's been no details on what caused the unplanned switch to manual control.

1323 GMT (9:23 a.m. EDT)

The hooks and latches are confirmed closed, forming a seal between Soyuz and its docking port. Pressure and leak checks will be performed on the interface over the next two orbits before the hatchway is opened for the crew to enter into the station around 12 p.m. EDT.

1306 GMT (9:06 a.m. EDT)

The docking occurred as the space station flew over Kakazkhstan.

Over the next few minutes, the Soyuz docking probe will retract to allow hooks and latches to bring the spacecraft to a firm seal with the station. Hatches between the two vehicles will be opened around 12 p.m. EDT.

1305 GMT (9:05 a.m. EDT)

DOCKING. The Soyuz TMA-14 spacecraft has docked to the Zvezda module of the international space station, several minutes ahead of schedule on manual control, delivering the Expedition 19 commander Gennady Padalka, astronaut Michael Barratt and space tourist Charles Simonyi.

1304 GMT (9:04 a.m. EDT)

The station and Soyuz are flying in range of Russian ground tracking stations.

1303 GMT (9:03 a.m. EDT)

The Kurs antenna on the nose of Soyuz has retracted in preparation for docking as planned.

1300 GMT (9:00 a.m. EDT)

Distance continuing to close.

1259 GMT (8:59 a.m. EDT)

The capsule had drifted away from the station slightly during the handoff of control froom the Kurs autopilot to commander Gennady Padalka. The veteran cosmonaut is manually flying the spacecraft along the final approach path now.

1257 GMT (8:57 a.m. EDT)

Mission Control has instructed Expedition 19 commander Gennady Padalka to override the Soyuz automated docking system and take manual control. It is not clear what problem has prompted this change in plans.

1256 GMT (8:56 a.m. EDT)

The Soyuz has completed a flyaround maneuver to align with the docking port.

1252 GMT (8:52 a.m. EDT)

Soyuz is maneuvering itself around the international outpost to get into the approach corridor leading to the Zvezda service module docking port. The capsule is about 650 feet away now.

1245 GMT (8:45 a.m. EDT)

The Soyuz spacecraft is nearing the space station for docking about 30 minutes from now at 9:14 a.m. EDT. The capsule is less than 2,000 feet from the station.

1110 GMT (7:10 a.m. EDT)

The Soyuz spacecraft, flying some 250 miles behind the international space station, just completed a key engine firing for today's planned docking.

The automated rendezvous sequence aboard the Russian-built crew transport capsule began about 20 minutes ago to control this morning's activities via autopilot. Commander Gennady Padalka will be standing by to take over manual flying of the spacecraft if required.

Another engine impulse is expected around 7:30 a.m. EDT, followed within minutes by activation of the Kurs rendezvous equipment on both the Soyuz and space station to guide the linkup.

The two spacecraft should be within 50 miles of each other by 8 a.m., closing to less than 10 miles by 8:20 a.m. An orbital sunrise occurs at 8:23 a.m.

The television camera on the nose of Soyuz will be turned on at 8:27 a.m. to provide views of the docking.

A series of maneuvers between 8:35 and 8:42 a.m. will dramatically slow the Soyuz's closure rate, ultimately leading to the spacecraft beginning a flyaround of the space station to align with the Zvezda service module's aft docking port.

After a stationkeeping hold by the Soyuz to ensure all is in readiness for docking, the spacecraft will commence final approach at 9:05 a.m. for docking about 9 minutes later.

The linkup should occur a few minutes before the 9:18 a.m. orbital sunset.

FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2009

The Russian Soyuz TMA-14 spacecraft with Expedition 19 commander Gennady Padalka, astronaut Michael Barratt and space tourist Charles Simonyi aboard is on course for Saturday's rendezvous with the international space station.

The capsule will use its automated docking system to link up with the station's Zvezda service module around 9:15 a.m. EDT.

Watch this page for updates during the final 30 minutes of the approach.

THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2009

As the shuttle Discovery orbited more than 70 miles in front of the international space station, a Russian Soyuz rocket took off today from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan carrying the station's next commander, a NASA doctor and a wealthy space tourist.

Read our launch story.

1215 GMT (8:15 a.m. EDT)

Today's official liftoff time was 7:49:18 a.m. EDT.

1202 GMT (8:02 a.m. EDT)

Expedition 19 commander Gennady Padalka, astronaut Michael Barratt and space tourist Charles Simonyi have arrived in orbit following a smooth launch aboard the Soyuz TMA-14 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. A pair of maneuvers later today and another one Friday will adjust the capsule's trajectory to set up for Saturday's docking with the space station.

Padalka and Barratt are starting a six-month mission in space, while Simonyi will be visiting the station and returning to Earth on April 7 with the outgoing Expedition 18 station residents Mike Fincke and Yury Lonchakov.

1200 GMT (8:00 a.m. EDT)

The craft is completing the sequence to deploy power-generating solar arrays, as well as antennas for navigational and communication systems.

1158 GMT (7:58 a.m. EDT)

T+plus 9 minutes. CAPSULE SEPARATION! The Soyuz spacecraft is flying free after the upper stage finished its engine firing and then separated away. The capsule is in pursuit of the international space station for a planned docking around 9:15 a.m. EDT on Saturday.

1157 GMT (7:57 a.m. EDT)

T+plus 8 minutes. About a minute remains in the propulsion by the upper stage. The motor consumes kerosene and liquid oxygen just like the Soyuz rocket's other powerplants.

1156 GMT (7:56 a.m. EDT)

T+plus 7 minutes, 15 seconds. The crew reports all remains normal aboard the spacecraft.

1156 GMT (7:56 a.m. EDT)

T+plus 7 minutes. Soyuz remains stable as the four-nozzle engine of the upper stage burns to achieve a safe orbit around Earth. Velocity reaches nearing 14,000 mph at this point in the launch.

1155 GMT (7:55 a.m. EDT)

T+plus 6 minutes. Upper stage is firing as the spacecraft continues ascending away from Earth.

1154 GMT (7:54 a.m. EDT)

T+plus 5 minutes. The core stage of the Soyuz rocket has shut down and separated, leaving the upper stage to complete the job of injecting the Soyuz capsule into orbit.

1153 GMT (7:53 a.m. EDT)

T+plus 4 minutes. The core motor continues to fire on its propellant mixture of kerosene fuel and supercold liquid oxygen.

1152 GMT (7:52 a.m. EDT)

T+plus 3 minutes, 45 seconds. The crew reports it is feeling fine.

1152 GMT (7:52 a.m. EDT)

T+plus 3 minutes. The safety escape tower and launch shroud have been jettisoned from the atop the Soyuz capsule.

1151 GMT (7:51 a.m. EDT)

T+plus 2 minutes, 15 seconds. The four strap-on boosters clustered around the Soyuz rocket's main stage have burned out and separated. The core motor continues to fire.

1150 GMT (7:50 a.m. EDT)

T+plus 90 seconds. The vehicle is being thrusted skyward on the power generated by the core stage main engine and the four liquid-fueled strap-on boosters.

1150 GMT (7:50 a.m. EDT)

T+plus 60 seconds. One minute into this ascent for the Soyuz rocket and its three-person crew from the Kazakh launch base. Expedition 19 flight engineer Michael Barratt is strapped into the left-hand seat, with commander Gennady Padalka in the center seat for his role as the Soyuz pilot and spaceflight participant Charles Simonyi in the right-hand seat.

1149 GMT (7:49 a.m. EDT)

T+plus 30 seconds. The Soyuz is heading on course for a rendezvous with the international space station 50 hours from now. The station currently is flying high above the south-central Atlantic Ocean.

1149 GMT (7:49 a.m. EDT)

LIFTOFF! Liftoff of the Soyuz rocket and a three-man crew, taking aim on the international space station.

1148 GMT (7:48 a.m. EDT)

T-minus 25 seconds. The first umbilical arm has separated from Soyuz. The second will retract in the next few seconds.

1148 GMT (7:48 a.m. EDT)

T-minus 1 minute and counting. The Soyuz has been placed on internal power.

1147 GMT (7:47 a.m. EDT)

T-minus 2 minutes and counting. Rocket propellant tank pressurization is underway. The vehicle's onboard measurement system is activated. Oxidizer and fuel drain and safety valves of the launch vehicle have been closed.

1146 GMT (7:46 a.m. EDT)

T-minus 3 minutes and counting. The nitrogen purge of the combustion chambers of side and central engine pods of the rocket is being performed in preparation for ignition.

1145 GMT (7:45 a.m. EDT)

T-minus 4 minutes. The launch key has been inserted in the bunker for liftoff.

1144 GMT (7:44 a.m. EDT)

T-minus 5 minutes and counting. Systems of the Soyuz have switched to onboard control, the ground measurement system and the Soyuz commander's controls are being activated.

1143 GMT (7:43 a.m. EDT)

T-minus 6 minutes. The automatic program for final launch operations is being initiated.

1140 GMT (7:40 a.m. EDT)

T-minus 9 minutes and counting. It's time for the crew to close helmet visors.

1139 GMT (7:39 a.m. EDT)

T-minus 10 minutes. The crew inside the Soyuz capsule are starting recorders to collect data during launch.

1135 GMT (7:35 a.m. EDT)

T-minus 14 minutes and counting. The Soyuz telemetry systems are being activated. They will relay real-time data back to Earth during today's launch.

1132 GMT (7:32 a.m. EDT)

T-minus 17 minutes. At this point in the countdown, realignment of the Soyuz rocket's trajectory control system and checks of internal batteries should be complete. The Soyuz telemetry system will soon be activated and monitoring of Soyuz's thermal control system also will begin.

1129 GMT (7:29 a.m. EDT)

T-minus 20 minutes and counting. The three-stage Soyuz rocket will insert the TMA-14 space capsule into a 143 by 118 mile orbit, inclined 51.6 degrees to the equator.

1124 GMT (7:24 a.m. EDT)

T-minus 25 minutes. The crew is completing leak checks of their Sokol launch spacesuits.

1119 GMT (7:19 a.m. EDT)

T-minus 30 minutes and counting. The emergency escape system is being armed. The system would be employed if a major malfunction occurs, propelling the Soyuz capsule off the top of the rocket to safety.

1106 GMT (7:06 a.m. EDT)

T-minus 43 minutes. Retraction of the two-piece service structure that has enclosed the Soyuz rocket during its stay at the launch pad is underway. The towers will be rotating to a horizontal position. Several other umbilical arms connecting the rocket to the ground will be retracted at various times later in the countdown.

1059 GMT (6:59 a.m. EDT)

T-minus 50 minutes and counting. The Soyuz rocket is fueled, the crew is aboard and the countdown is progressing for liftoff of the space station's Expedition 19 mission at 7:49 a.m. EDT (1149 GMT) from the Baikonur Cosmodrome.

1049 GMT (6:49 a.m. EDT)

T-minus 60 minutes and counting. Station commander Gennady Padalka, flight engineer Michael Barratt and spaceflight participant Charles Simonyi were awakened about eight hours ago to begin launch day activities. They signed the doors at crew quarters and received religious blessings before boarding a bus that took the three crewmates the 25-mile distance into the cosmodrome. They donned their white Sokol launch and entry suits, met with Russian space officials and then headed for the pad. Crowds of well-wishers gathered to wave goodbye as the crew reached the pad. An elevator took the trio up to the capsule-level of the tower to begin climbing aboard the cramped spacecraft around 5 a.m. EDT.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2009

A veteran Russian cosmonaut set to become the first repeat commander of the international space station, a rookie NASA astronaut and a millionaire tourist going back to orbit for a second time will rocket aloft aboard a Soyuz spacecraft Thursday.

Liftoff from the historic Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan is scheduled for 7:49 a.m. EDT (1149 GMT), beginning a 9-minute ascent to orbit for the three-stage liquid-fueled booster.

It will take two days for the Soyuz TMA-14 capsule to the reach station, with docking to the Zvezda service module expected Saturday around 9:15 a.m. EDT (1315 GMT). The linkup will deliver commander Gennady Padalka and flight engineer Michael Barratt to the orbiting complex for their long-duration Expedition mission.

Joining the cosmonauts for the trip to the station is spaceflight participant Charles Simonyi. Under a commercial agreement with the Russian Federal Space Agency, he will spend more than a week aboard the outpost before returning to the Earth with departing Expedition 18 crewmates Mike Fincke and Yury Lonchakov. Landing of the Soyuz TMA-13 spacecraft is scheduled for April 7.

Padalka previously led the Expedition 9 mission aboard the station from April through October 2004. He'll be the first person to serve as station commander twice.

Barratt, a medical doctor born in Washington state, will be a flight engineer aboard the station during the 200-day mission.

Simonyi, a software engineer and former Microsoft executive, visited the station in April 2007. He's the first two-time space tourist.

Awaiting aboard the station to join Padalka and Barratt for the start of Expedition 19 is Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata, who flew up to the outpost aboard the ongoing space shuttle Discovery mission.

On Tuesday morning, the Soyuz rocket was rolled from its hangar to the launch pad. Mounted horizontally on a railcar, the rocket journeyed along a winding route from the integration facility at Site 254 to the pad under sunny skies.

Hydraulic pistons lifted the rocket upright on the pad and gantry swing arms moved into position to enclose the vehicle. Technicians on four levels hooked up electrical and telemetry cables between the rocket and pad.

Here is an overview the key events in Thursday's countdown, as provided by NASA:

• T- 6:00:00 Batteries are installed in the booster
  
  
• T- 5:30:00 State commission gives "go" to take launch vehicle
  
  
• T- 5:15:00 Crew arrives at site 254
  
  
• T- 5:00:00 Tanking begins
  
  
• T- 4:20:00 Spacesuit donning
  
  
• T- 4:00:00 Booster is loaded with liquid oxygen
  
  
• T- 3:40:00 Crew meets delegations
  
  
• T- 3:10:00 Reports to the State commission
  
  
• T- 3:05:00 Transfer to the launch pad
  
  
• T- 3:00:00 Vehicle first and second stage oxidizer fueling complete
  
  
• T- 2:35:00 Crew arrives at launch vehicle
  
  
• T- 2:30:00 Crew ingress through orbital module side hatch
  
  
• T- 2:00:00 Crew in re-entry vehicle
  
  
• T- 1:45:00 Re-entry vehicle hardware tested; suits are ventilated
  
  
• T- 1:30:00 Launch command monitoring and supply unit prepared;
  -- Orbital compartment hatch tested for sealing
  
  
• T- 1:00:00 Launch vehicle control system prepared for use; gyro instruments activated
  
  
• T- :45:00 Launch pad service structure halves are lowered
  
  
• T- :40:00 Re-entry vehicle hardware testing complete; leak checks performed on suits
  
  
• T- :30:00 Emergency escape system armed; launch command supply unit activated
  
  
• T- :25:00 Service towers withdrawn
  
  
• T- :15:00 Suit leak tests complete; crew engages personal escape hardware auto mode
  
  
• T- :10:00 Launch gyro instruments uncaged; crew activates on-board recorders
  
  
• T- 7:00 All prelaunch operations are complete
  
  
• T- 6:15 Key to launch command given at the launch site;
  -- Automatic program of final launch operations is activated
  
  
• T- 6:00 All launch complex and vehicle systems ready for launch
  
  
• T- 5:00 Onboard systems switched to onboard control;
  -- Ground measurement system activated by RUN 1 command;
  -- Commander's controls activated;
  -- Crew switches to suit air by closing helmets;
  -- Launch key inserted in launch bunker
  
  
• T- 3:15 Combustion chambers of side and central engine pods purged with nitrogen
  
  
• T- 2:30 Booster propellant tank pressurization starts;
  -- Onboard measurement system activated by RUN 2 command;
  -- Prelaunch pressurization of all tanks with nitrogen begins
  
  
• T- 2:15 Oxidizer and fuel drain and safety valves of launch vehicle are closed;
  -- Ground filling of oxidizer and nitrogen to the launch vehicle is terminated
  
  
• T- 1:00 Vehicle on internal power;
  -- Automatic sequencer on;
  -- First umbilical tower separates from booster
  
  
• T- :40 Ground power supply umbilical to third stage is disconnected
  
  
• T- :20 Launch command given at the launch position;
  -- Central and side pod engines are turned on
  
  
• T- :15 Second umbilical tower separates from booster
  
  
• T- :10 Engine turbopumps at flight speed
  
  
• T- :05 First stage engines at maximum thrust
  
  
• T- :00 Fueling tower separates;
  -- Lift off

Watch this page for live updates during the final countdown and launch.