Russia has successfully launched the Soyuz TMA-01M spacecraft carrying a US astronaut and two Russian cosmonauts for the International Space Station (ISS).
The Soyuz TMA-01M was launched on-board a Soyuz-FG rocket, at 5.10am (23.10 GMT) on 8 October from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in southern Kazakhstan, according to the Associated Press.
The first of the new series of Soyuz spacecraft, the Soyuz TMA-01M is equipped with new digital computing and telemetric systems that have reduced its weight by 70kg.
The new Soyuz TMA-M series will replace the Soyuz-TMA spacecraft currently in service.
The Soyuz TMA-01M expedition is carrying Russian cosmonauts Alexander Kaleri and Oleg Skripochka, and Nasa astronaut Scott Kelly. The mission last for over five months.
