Principia launch day is set for 15 December 2015. For ESA astronaut Tim Peake, NASA astronaut Tim Kopra and Russian commander Yuri Malenchenko it will be a long day. Below is a detailed timeline of their voyage if they take the six-hour, four-orbit, route to the International Space Station. Mission control can decide at any point, even after launch, to take the longer 2-day route.

All times are in GMT and arSoyuz_TMA-18M_liftoff (1)e indications.

Time         L-

02:03:10   9:00           Crew wakeup at Cosmonaut Hotel

05:03:10   6:00           Crew departs Cosmonaut Hotel

05:18:10   5:45            Batteries installed in booster

05:48:10   5:15            Crew arrives at Site 254

06:03:10    5:00            Tanking begins

06:33:10    4:30            Crew suit up

06:58:10    4:05            Booster loaded with liquid Oxygen

07:33:10    3:30            Crew meets family members on other side of the glass

07:58:10    3:05            First and second stage Oxygen fueling complete

08:03:10    3:00            Crew walkout from 254 and boards bus for the launch pad

08:08:10    2:55            Crew departs for launch pad (Site 1)

08:28:10    2:35            Crew arrives at launch pad (Site 1)

08:38:10    2:25            Crew boards Soyuz; strapped in to the Descent module

09:28:10    1:35            Descent module hardware tested

09:43:10    1:20            Hatch closed; leak checks begin

10:00:00    1:03:       ESA TV launch coverage begins

10:03:10    1:00            Launch vehicle control system prep; gyro activation

10:18:10      :45           Pad service structure components lowered

10:19:10      :44           Clamshell gantry service towers retracted

10:26:10      :37           Suit leak checks begin; descent module testing complete

10:29:10      :34           Emergency escape system armed

10:48:10      :15           Suit leak checks complete; escape system to auto

10:53:10      :10           Gyros in flight readiness and recorders activated

10:56:10      :07           Pre-launch operations complete

10:57:10      :06           Launch countdown operations to auto; vehicle ready

10:58:10     :05           Commander’s controls activated

10:59:10      :04           Combustion chamber nitrogen purge

10:00:10      :03           Propellant drainback

11:00:14       :02:56      Space Station flies over Baikonur

11:00:25       :02:45       Booster propellant tank pressurization

11:01:40      :01:30       Ground propellant feed terminated

11:02:10      :01:00       Vehicle to internal power

11:02:35     :00:35       First umbilical tower separates

Auto sequence start

11:02:40      :00:30       Ground umbilical to third stage disconnected

11:02:55      :00:15       Second umbilical tower separates

11:02:58      :00:12       Launch command issued

Engine Start Sequence Begins

11:03:10      :00:10       Engine turbopumps at flight speed

11:03:05       :00:05      Engines at maximum thrust

11:03:10     :00:00      LAUNCH OF SOYUZ TMA-19M

11:11:55        +8:45     Third stage shutdown and orbital insertion

Leak check and launch pad

11:13 Soyuz spacecraft separates and is flying free

15:15 Rendezvous with International Space Station begins

17:00 ESA TV docking coverage begins

17:24 Docking

17:37 Docking hooks close

17:40 Pressure-check for leaks

18:45 ESA TV hatch opening coverage begins

19:25 Hatches open for greetings and safety briefing

19:30 Press conference and talk with family