The latest mission to the International Space Station combines business and pleasure. Among the three man crew of the Soyuz craft is space tourist Gregory Olsen. The blast-off from the Baikanur space centre in Kazakhstan went without a hitch.

For the American commander and his Russian flight engineer it was the start of a six month mission on the ISS. For entrepreneur and scientist Olsen it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. He is reported to have paid around 16 million euros for the privilege. Olsen will spend his week in space helping with experiments before hitching a ride with the returning ISS crew

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