Three astronauts launch into space since failure by Soyuz rocket

Soyuz rocket: First astronauts launch into space since failure
The team will spend six-and-a-half months on the International Space Station (ISS)
Three astronauts have blasted off on the first manned Soyuz rocket launch since a dramatic failure in October.
Astronauts from Russia, the US and Canada left from Kazakhstan on a mission bound for the International Space Station at 17:30 (11:30 GMT).
October’s aborted trip saw two astronauts forced to make an emergency landing just minutes after take-off.
Investigators blamed a faulty sensor which they said had been damaged during assembly at the Kazakh site.
Speaking before the trip on Sunday, crew commander Oleg Kononenko affirmed his crew “absolutely” trusted the flight’s preparation.
“Risk is part of our profession,” the 54-year-old said at a press conference.
“We are psychologically and technically prepared for blast-off and any situation which, God forbid, may occur on board.”