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Spaceflyers Arrive at Space Station Bearing Christmas Cheer
22 December 2009 7:35 p.m. EST

Shortly after the hatches were opened between the newly-arrived Soyuz spacecraft and the International Space Station, the three incoming spaceflyers floated through the passage.

Soyuz commander Oleg Kotov was wearing a Santa hat and carrying a Crhistmas wreath, while Soichi Noguchi came in a Santa hat with a white bag of presents slung over his shoulder. NASA astronaut T. J. Creamer floated through wearing an elf hat and elf ears.

-- Clara Moskowitz

NASA will broadcast the Expedition 22 docking live on NASA TV. You are invited to follow the mission using SPACE.com’s NASA TV feed, which is available by clicking here or using the button at the left.

Hatches Open Between Soyuz And Space Station
22 December 2009 7:30 p.m. EST

The hatches are open between the newly-arrived Soyuz TMA-17 spacecraft and the International Space Station.

-- Clara Moskowitz

Leak Checks Underway Between Soyuz And Space Station
22 December 2009 7:00 p.m. EST

Astronauts aboard the International Space Station and the Soyuz TMA-17 spacecraft are checking the seals between their two vehicles to make sure there are no leaks before they open the hatches.

Hatch opening is scheduled for 7:35 p.m. EST (0035 GMT Wednesday).

-- Clara Moskowitz

DOCKING! Soyuz Spacecraft Arrives at ISS
22 December 2009 5:49 p.m. EST

The Soyuz spacecraft carrying an American astronaut, a Japanese astronaut and a Russian cosmonaut has docked at the International Space Station. The two craft joined a few minutes early, at 5:48 p.m. EST (2248 GMT).

Click here for SPACE.com's docking preview story.

-- Clara Moskowitz

Soyuz Spacecraft 'Go' for Docking at the Space Station
22 December 2009 5:41 p.m. EST

A final "go" has been given to the Soyuz TMA-17 spacecraft to proceed with docking at the space station today.

The two spacecraft are now within sight of each other.

"The final approach is stable and smooth, no issues," said Soyuz commander Oleg Kotov.

Click here for SPACE.com's docking preview story.

-- Clara Moskowitz

Soyuz Spacecraft Ready to Dock at Space Station
22 December 2009 5:30 p.m. EST

The Soyuz spacecraft carrying three spaceflyers is poised to dock at the International Space Station today at 5:58 p.m. EST (2258 GMT).

NASA astronaut Timothy (T. J.) Creamer, Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kotov, and Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi are due to take up long-term residence at the station as Expedition 22 flight engineers.

Click here for SPACE.com's docking preview story.

-- Clara Moskowitz

Soyuz Spacecraft Reaches Orbit
20 December 2009 5:01 p.m. EST

The Soyuz TMA-17 capsule carrying three spaceflyers toward the International Space Station has separated from its launch rocket and is now in orbit around Earth.

"Everything's fine onboard the vehicle," radioed Soyuz commander Oleg Kotov, a veteran Russian cosmonaut. "Everybody feels great, no problems, no issues."

The spacecraft will now spend about two days catching up to the higher orbit of the space station, where it is scheduled to rendezvous on Tuesday.

-- Clara Moskowitz

NASA will broadcast the Expedition 22 launch live on NASA TV. You are invited to follow the mission using SPACE.com’s NASA TV feed, which is available by clicking here or using the button at the left.

Soyuz Rocket Jettisons Boosters
20 December 2009 4:56 p.m. EST

The Soyuz rocket carrying the crew on the Soyuz TMA-17 crew has jettisoned its four strap-on boosters and ignited its second stage as it heads to orbit. The rocket launched on time from Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan at 4:52 p.m. EDT (2152 GMT).

-- Clara Moskowitz

LIFTOFF! Three Spaceflyers Launch on Soyuz Spacecraft
20 December 2009 4:52 p.m. EST

NASA astronaut Timothy (T.J.) Creamer, Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kotov, and Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi lifted off at 4:52 p.m. EDT (2152 GMT) on the Soyuz TMA-17 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

The trio is bound for the International Space Station.

-- Clara Moskowitz

Final Spacecraft Checks Underway for Launch
20 December 2009 4:35 p.m. EST

Ground teams are completing final checks of the Russian TMA-17 Soyuz spacecraft set to loft a new space station crew into space today.

NASA astronaut Timothy (T.J.) Creamer, Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kotov, and Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi are slated to launch at 4:51 p.m. EDT (2151 GMT) on the Soyuz TMA-17 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

-- Clara Moskowitz

Spaceflyers Strapped in and Ready for Launch
20 December 2009 4:25 p.m. EST

NASA astronaut Timothy (T.J.) Creamer, Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kotov, and Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi have boarded their Soyuz TMA-17 spacecraft in preparation for launch in about 25 minutes.

The weather is frigid but acceptable for launch at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

-- Clara Moskowitz

Three Spaceflyers Poised to Launch on Soyuz Spacecraft
20 December 2009 4:00 p.m. EST

-- Clara Moskowitz

Click here for past Expedition 21 mission updates.