UK astronaut Tim Peake has boarded the International Space Station, which will be his home for the next six months.
Mr Peake is the first UK astronaut to fly under the banner of the European Space Agency (Esa).
On the ISS he will complete experiments and educational activities designed to get young people interested in science.
Fuelling of the rocket has begun ahead of the launch – set for 11:03 GMT – from Site 1 at Baikonur, the pad where Yuri Gagarin made the first historic human spaceflight in 1961.
The Soyuz space capsule is due to dock with the space station at 17:23 GMT. Find out more on the BBC
