A Russian Orthodox priest blesses the Soyuz TMA-20 spacecraft at the launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome on Dec. 14. The crew of NASA astronaut Catherine Coleman, Russian cosmonaut Dmitry Kondratyev and European Space Agency Astronaut Paolo Nespoli are to travel to the International Space Station on Dec. 16.
US astronaut Catherine Coleman (l.) and Italian astronaut Paolo Nespoli, crew members of the mission to the International Space Station, ISS, gesture prior the launch of Soyuz-FG rocket at the Russian leased Baikonur cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, on Dec. 15.
The Soyuz-FG rocket booster with Soyuz TMA-20 space ship carrying a new crew to the International Space Station blasts off from the Russian leased Baikonur cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, on Dec. 16.
This image provided by NASA shows the Soyuz TMA-20 spacecraft as it arrives at the launch pad on Dec. 13, at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
The Russian Soyuz TMA-20 space ship that will carry a new crew to the International Space Station is installed at the launch pad at the Russian-leased Baikonur cosmodrome, in Kazakhstan.
Russia's Federal Space Agency chief Anatoly Perminov speaks to the media near the launch pad at the Russian-leased Baikonur cosmodrome on Dec. 15.
This image, provided by NASA, shows the Soyuz TMA-20 spacecraft shortly after arrival at the launch pad.
US astronaut Catherine Coleman (c.) Russian cosmonaut Dmitry Kondratiev (bottom) and Italian astronaut Paolo Nespoli, crew members of the mission to the International Space Station, gesture prior the launch of the Soyuz-FG rocket on Dec. 15.
Russian Space Agency technicians help Italian astronaut Paolo Nespoli to stand up after inspecting his space suit, prior to the launch of the Soyuz-FG rocket.
A cameraman films the Soyuz-FG rocket booster with Soyuz TMA-20 space ship as it blasts off from Baikonur cosmodrome, on Dec. 16. 
After its automated docking system failed the first time, the Russian Progress 47 cargo ship successfully passed its second test on Saturday. Now it has un-docked, and is scheduled to burn up in the Earth's atmosphere.
A robotic Russian cargo ship made its final departure from the International Space Station yesterday (July 30), after spending several months attached to the orbiting outpost.
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