Astronaut Furukawa smiles after Soyuz's liftoff from Kazakhstan

Astronaut Furukawa smiles after Soyuz's liftoff from Kazakhstan

BAIKONUR, Kazakhstan - Japanese astronaut Satoshi Furukawa smiles as he speaks to reporters after Russia's spacecraft Soyuz TMA-17 successfully lifted off from Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan on Dec. 21, 2009, carrying Japan's astronaut Soichi Noguchi and two others, heading for the International Space Station. Furukawa, who is a backup for Noguchi, is scheduled to travel to the station by Soyoz in 2011.

Residents cheer Noguchi's liftoff from Kazakhstan

Residents cheer Noguchi's liftoff from Kazakhstan

CHIGASAKI, Japan - Residents of the hometown of Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi applaud after seeing Russia's Soyoz TMA-17's liftoff from Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan through a live broadcast in Chigasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture, on Dec. 21, 2009. Some 400 residents, including many students, gathered at the city hall early in the morning to watch the launch of the space capsule carrying Noguchi and two others, heading for the International Space Station.

Astronaut Furukawa smiles after Soyoz's liftoff from Kazakhstan

Astronaut Furukawa smiles after Soyoz's liftoff from Kazakhstan

BAIKONUR, Kazakhstan - Japanese astronaut Satoshi Furukawa smiles as he speaks to reporters after Russia's spacecraft Soyuz TMA-17 successfully lifted off from Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan on Dec. 21, 2009, carrying Japan's astronaut Soichi Noguchi and two others, heading for the International Space Station. Furukawa, who is a backup for Noguchi, is scheduled to travel to the station by Soyoz in 2011. (Kyodo)

Residents cheer Noguchi's liftoff from Kazakhstan

Residents cheer Noguchi's liftoff from Kazakhstan

CHIGASAKI, Japan - Residents of the hometown of Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi applaud after seeing Russia's Soyoz TMA-17's liftoff from Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan through a live broadcast in Chigasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture, on Dec. 21, 2009. Some 400 residents, including many students, gathered at the city hall early in the morning to watch the launch of the space capsule carrying Noguchi and two others, heading for the International Space Station. (Kyodo)