Astronauts launch toward space station

Three astronauts blasted off toward the International Space Station late May 14, kicking off a two-day journey to the huge orbiting lab. NASA astronaut Joe Acaba and Russian cosmonauts Gennady Padalka and Sergei Revin launched aboard a Soyuz spacecraft from Kazakhstan's Baikonur Cosmodrom.

A Soyuz rocket carrying NASA astronaut Joe Acaba and cosmonauts Gennady Padalka and Sergei Revin blasts off from Kazakstan on May 14, 2012 (May 15 local time).

The Soyuz TMA-04M spacecraft carrying the International Space Station (ISS) crew of U.S. astronaut Joseph Acaba and Russian cosmonauts Gennady Padalka and Sergei Revin blasts off from its launch pad at Baikonur cosmodrome, May 15, 2012. REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov

he Soyuz TMA-04M spacecraft carrying the International Space Station (ISS) crew of U.S. astronaut Joseph Acaba and Russian cosmonauts Gennady Padalka and Sergei Revin blasts off from its launch pad at Baikonur cosmodrome, May 15, 2012. REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov

From L- R) U.S. astronaut Joseph Acaba and Russian cosmonauts Gennady Padalka and Sergei Revin, members of the International Space Station (ISS) crew, report to members of the State Committee before the launch of the Soyuz TMA-04M spacecraft at Baikonur cosmodrome, May 15, 2012. REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov

The International Space Station (ISS) crew members, U.S. astronaut Joseph Acaba (top) and Russian cosmonaut Gennady Padalka, wave as they board the Soyuz TMA-04M spacecraft at Baikonur cosmodrome, May 15, 2012. REUTERS/Yuri Kochetkov/Pool (KAZAKHSTAN)

An Orthodox priest conducts a service in front of the Soyuz TMA-04M spacecraft set on its launch pad at Baikonur cosmodrome May 14, 2012. Soyuz is scheduled to launch with a three-man International Space Station crew on May 15.

Attired in Russian Sokol launch and entry suits, Russian cosmonaut Gennady Padalka (center), Expedition 31 flight engineer and Expedition 32 commander; along with NASA astronaut Joe Acaba (left) and Russian cosmonaut Sergei Revin, both Expediti

The Soyuz TMA-04M spacecraft rests on its launch pad before the blast off with the International Space Station (ISS) crew of U.S. astronaut Joseph Acaba and Russian cosmonauts Gennady Padalka and Sergei Revin at Baikonur cosmodrome, May 15, 2012. REUTERS/Yuri Kochetkov/Pool (KAZAKHSTAN)

International Space Station (ISS) crew member, U.S. astronaut Joseph Acaba, looks back as he boards the Soyuz TMA-04M spacecraft at Baikonur cosmodrome, May 15, 2012. REUTERS/Yuri Kochetkov/Pool (KAZAKHSTAN)

Armed policemen secure the front of the Soyuz TMA-04M spacecraft as it is being transported to its launch pad at the Baikonur cosmodrome May 13, 2012. An International Space Station (ISS) crew of U.S. astronaut Joseph Acaba and Russian cosmonauts Gennady Padalka and Sergei Revin is due to travel on the spacecraft to the space station on May 15. REUTERS/Sergei Remezov (KAZAKHSTAN)

The International Space Station (ISS) crew of (L-R) U.S. astronaut Joseph Acaba and Russian cosmonauts Gennady Padalka and Sergei Revin give the thumbs-up after a news conference at Baikonur cosmodrome May 14, 2012. The crew is due to travel by Soyuz spacecraft to the International Space Station on May 15. REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov (KAZAKHSTAN)