Russia's delayed Soyuz rocket blasts off into space

NASA astronaut Joseph Acaba and cosmonauts Gennady Padalka and Sergei Revin are onboard

Three astronauts from Russia and America are finally on their way to the International Space Station more than a month behind schedule.

The Soyuz rocket blasted off from Kazakhstan at 4:01am UK time and is due to arrive tomorrow at the base 240 miles above Earth.

Three minutes into the flight, the crew members gave a thumbs-up signal Credit: AP Photo/Mikhail Metzel

It's the only way the United States can get astronauts to the International Space Station after the Space Shuttle was taken out of service.

Moscow hopes a smooth mission will begin to restore confidence in its space programme Credit: AP Photo/Mikhail Metzel

Today's flight was delayed to allow Russia's space contractor to prepare a new capsule for launch after an accident during pressure tests damaged the Soyuz crew capsule.