NASA to telecast Soyuz launch, ISS docking

WASHINGTON, Dec. 7 (UPI) -- NASA says it will televise the launch of a Soyuz spacecraft and its delivery of the next three residents to the International Space Station.

Coverage begins with a broadcast of pre-launch activities beginning Tuesday and continuing through the launch at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan Sunday, Dec. 20, at 4:51 p.m. EST.

The crew will consist of Soyuz Commander Oleg Kotov, NASA Flight Engineer Timothy J. Creamer and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency Flight Engineer Soichi Noguchi.

After a two-day trip, the Soyuz will dock at the space station Dec. 22 at approximately 5:58 p.m. EST, beginning the crew members' six-month stay.

Kotov, Creamer and Noguchi will join Expedition 22 Commander Jeff Williams of NASA and Russian Flight Engineer Maxim Suraev, who have been on the complex since October.

NASA TV streaming video, downlink and schedule information is available at http://www.nasa.gov/ntv.