In Pictures: The Olympic torch rockets toward the International Space Station
History will be made when the torch is taken on a spacewalk for the first time
Olympic rings are seen at the Soyuz launch pad shortly after the Soyuz TMA-11M rocket was erected into position on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2013, at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. For the first time in history, the Olympic flame will be taken on a spacewalk.Bill Ingalls/The Associated Press
The Soyuz-FG rocket is seen prior to the launch at the Russian-leased Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2013. The crew of the space craft will deliver the Olympic torch to space as part of the ongoing Olympic torch relay. The torch will be brought back along with the station's current crew.Shamil Zhumatov/The Associated Press
In this long-exposure photo, service structure arms are raised into position beside the Soyuz TMA-11M rocket.Bill Ingalls/The Associated Press
International Space Station (ISS) crew members, (L to R) Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata, Russian cosmonaut Mikhail Tyurin and U.S. astronaut Rick Mastracchio, pose with the torch of the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic Games after a news conference behind a glass wall at the Baikonur Cosmodrome Nov. 6, 2013.SHAMIL ZHUMATOV/Reuters
ISS crew members Koichi Wakata (top) and Mikhail Tyurin, board the Soyuz TMA-11M spacecraft with the torch of the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic Games.SHAMIL ZHUMATOV/Reuters
Koichi Wakata walks accompanied by Russian officials carrying the torch of the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic to board the Soyuz TMA-11M spacecraft.SHAMIL ZHUMATOV/Reuters
The ISS crew sit after donning space suits shortly before blastoff.SHAMIL ZHUMATOV/Reuters
The Soyuz TMA-11M spacecraft blasts off from the launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome Nov. 7, 2013.SHAMIL ZHUMATOV/Reuters
The Soyuz spacecraft prepares to dock with the ISS in this still image taken Nov. 7, 2013. A three-man crew successfully blasted off into space with the Olympic torch on Thursday, ready to take it on its first space walk in what they said would be a "spectacular" showcase for the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi.NASA TV/Reuters
The Soyuz spacecraft approaches the ISS on Nov. 7, 2013.NASA TV/Reuters