We got some great pictures from the ESA photographer Manuel Pedoussaut documenting Thomas Pesquet’s last steps on Earth before being blasted into space. A short story in pictures follows.

 Traditionally Soyuz astronauts sign the door to their hotel room when they leave for space. Here is Thomas signing the door with family watching.

Vol Soyuz FG /MS03 J-0

Thomas walked out of the hotel with his crewmates Peggy Whitson and Oleg Novitsky…

Vol Soyuz FG /MS03J-0

…waved goodbye…

Vol Soyuz FG /MS03 J-0

…and entered the ‘space bus’…

Vol Soyuz FG /MS03 J-0

…that took the trio to ‘Building 254’ where they put on their Sokol pressure suits and tested them for leaks.

Vol Soyuz FG /MS03J-0

After another ride in the space bus the astronauts arrived at the launch pad where they stood in their designated squares for a final salute.

Vol Soyuz FG /MS03J-0

They climbed the stairs to take the lift to the top of the rocket and waved goodbye…

Vol Soyuz FG /MS03 J-0

…to wait inside the Soyuz spacecraft while systems were checked and any leaks detected…

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All looked good for launch!

proxima_liftoff

Liftoff was at 20:20 GMT, marking the start of Thomas Pesquet’s Proxima adventure in space.