Inside Columbus Control Centre

A small crowd gathered inside Columbus Control Centre control room to watch the launch – including ESA astronaut Pedro Duque and ESA’s Expedition 30 Mission Director Claudio Sollazzo and Expedition 31 Mission Director Berti Meissinger.

Pedro, who flew with the Soyuz in 2003, says that the wait for the crew once they enter the launcher can feel quite long – but there is music played (chosen by the Soyuz Commander, or in this case also by the other crewmembers) which makes the time pass a bit quicker. And despite appearances, it is not uncomfortable in the bucket seats.

Here’s our view – on the left NASA TV stream, on the right a view inside the Russian Mission Control Centre in Moscow.

View inside Col-CC