Posted: Mar 28, 2015 12:14 am
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-32089169
B.B.C. Article
US astronaut Scott Kelly and Russian cosmonaut Mikhail Kornienko have taken off on a 12-month tour of duty on the International Space Station.
It will be the longest continuous stay anyone has had aboard the 400km-high (250 mile) orbiting platform.
Scientists hope to get a keener idea of the effects on the human body of living in microgravity for extended periods.
The space agencies say the data will be invaluable as they plan towards eventually mounting a mission to Mars.
Mr Kelly and Mr Kornienko launched from Baikonur in Kazakhstan in a Soyuz vehicle at 01:42 local time, Saturday (19:42 GMT Friday).
They will be joined on the flight up by cosmonaut Gennady Padalka, but his tour will only last the normal six months.
Arrival at the ISS should occur about six hours after lift-off.
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