MOSCOW: A Russian actress and a film director blasted off for the International Space Station on Tuesday, beating Tom Cruise in the race to shoot the first movie in space.
The Soyuz MS-19 spacecraft is set to dock at 1212 GMT at the station, which orbits Earth at an altitude of around 220 miles (354 km).
Russian state media provided blanket and patriotic coverage in the run-up, with a countdown clock running on Channel One and news anchors framing the development as a significant breakthrough by Russia that the rest of the world is watching closely.
The launch to film the movie "The challenge" puts Russia on course to beat the United States in the latest chapter of the space race. Actress Yulia Peresild and director Klim Shipenko will reach the cosmos ahead of Cruise, whose plans to blast off on a SpaceX rocket for an as-yet-untitled Hollywood film were announced by NASA last year.
Russia's own space industry has in recent years been dogged by delays, accidents and corruption scandals, while U.S.-based private firms backed by rich businessmen such as Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos have developed new spaceships.
Peresild and Shipenko were accompanied at the launch of their 12-day mission by two Russian cosmonauts.
Russian competition with the United States in space was a hallmark of the Cold War. Moscow launched the first satellite and put the first man and woman in space, but NASA beat it to the Moon landing. More recently, they have cooperated aboard the ISS, where cosmonauts and astronauts have lived side by side for decades.
"Space is where we became pioneers and we still maintain a confident lead despite everything," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said after the launch.
"Yes, others are stepping on (our) toes but it is obvious that there is competition in a good sense. For our country, a flight like this, that popularises our achievements and the theme of space in general, is good news."
In the film, Peresild plays a doctor who is asked to travel to the space station to save a cosmonaut's life. Cosmonaut crew members are also set to appear.
Director Klim Shipenko, whose height of 1.9 metres (6 feet 2 inches) makes the flight in a small capsule especially challenging, has already said he is looking forward to a Mars-based sequel.
The rocket was launched from the Baikonur cosmodrome which Russia leases on the steppes of Kazakhstan.
Reuters
Wed Oct 06 2021
![Russian actor blasts off to attempt a world first: A movie in space Russian actor blasts off to attempt a world first: A movie in space](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-10/41633487008_MOSCOW.jpg)
ISS crew members Russian cosmonaut Anton Shkaplerov, film director Klim Shipenko and actress Yulia Peresild wave as they leave to board the spacecraft shortly before the launch at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan October 5, 2021. - REUTERS
![Pelan Transformasi Air sasar tingkatkan air bersih, liputan sistem kumbahan - Fadillah Pelan Transformasi Air sasar tingkatkan air bersih, liputan sistem kumbahan - Fadillah](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81721017239_TBFADILLAH.jpg)
Pelan Transformasi Air sasar tingkatkan air bersih, liputan sistem kumbahan - Fadillah
Pelan Transformasi Air sasar tingkatkan air bersih, tingkatkan liputan sistem kumbahan - Fadillah
![Warga Thailand mengaku tidak bersalah seleweng diesel Warga Thailand mengaku tidak bersalah seleweng diesel](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/41721103547_WargaThailandWitt.jpg)
Warga Thailand mengaku tidak bersalah seleweng diesel
Seorang warga Thailand mengaku tidak bersalah di Mahkamah Sesyen Alor Setar atas pertuduhan menyeleweng 322 liter minyak diesel.
Lilitan reben putih tak langgar peraturan - Timbalan Speaker
Ramli berkata, perkara itu juga adalah merupakan keputusannya dan bukan dibuat oleh Yang Dipertua Dewan Rakyat, Tan Sri Johari Abdul.
Kos pampasan tanah fasa 1B proses projek LPB Sabah RM1.2 bilion - Alexander
Anggaran kos pengambilan balik tanah bagi keseluruhan Fasa 1B proses pengambilan tanah dan penilaian pampasan tanah bagi Projek Lebuh Raya Pan Borneo Sabah (LPB Sabah) berjumlah RM1.2 bilion.
KR sedia tambah baik SOP pembinaan lebuhraya
Alaxender berkata kementerian bersedia untuk mendedahkan laporan kajian insiden jika ia melibatkan kemalangan berskala besar dan meragut nyawa.
![Reman suspek kes keropok beracun disambung dua hari Reman suspek kes keropok beracun disambung dua hari](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81721107133_keropokberacunrem.jpg)
Reman suspek kes keropok beracun disambung dua hari
Tempoh reman terhadap seorang pemilik kebun disambung selama dua hari, bagi membantu siasatan kematian dua kanak-kanak yang meninggal dunia akibat makan keropok beracun.
KPM alukan pesara guru ajar Bahasa Inggeris
Jelas Fadhlina Sidek pesara-pesara guru telah banyak membantu usaha KPM dalam meningkatkan PdP bahasa Inggeris termasuk melalui Program Highly Immersive Programme Mentor (HIP Mentor).
![Tidak perlu lagi kemas kini status COVID-19 dalam MySejahtera - KKM Tidak perlu lagi kemas kini status COVID-19 dalam MySejahtera - KKM](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81721100784_TBmysj.jpg)
Tidak perlu lagi kemas kini status COVID-19 dalam MySejahtera - KKM
Jika positif COVID-19 melalui ujian kendiri, pesakit boleh mengunjungi klinik dan hospital berdekatan bagi mendapatkan pengesahan.
![Mayat hampir reput dijumpai di rumah usang Mayat hampir reput dijumpai di rumah usang](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-12/41702437730_maut.jpg)
Mayat hampir reput dijumpai di rumah usang
Mayat hampir reput ditemui di sebuah rumah usang di Kesang Laut, berdekatan pusat timbang Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan (JPJ) pada Ahad.
Wanita dakwa dituduh Rafizi fail saman
Seorang wanita memfailkan saman terhadap Menteri Ekonomi, Rafizi Ramli bagi menuntut permohonan maaf secara terbuka berhubung dakwaan bahawa wanita berkenaan ialah isteri kepada bekas menteri yang dikaitkan dengan isu kapal tempur pesisir (LCS).
Bagaimanapun, Rafizi bergantung kepada pembelaan justifikasi berkata bersedia membuktikan kenyataan di mahkamah termasuk perlindungan bersyarat dan ulasan yang saksama terhadap saman fitnah yang difailkan oleh Zainab Mohd Salleh.
Bagaimanapun, Rafizi bergantung kepada pembelaan justifikasi berkata bersedia membuktikan kenyataan di mahkamah termasuk perlindungan bersyarat dan ulasan yang saksama terhadap saman fitnah yang difailkan oleh Zainab Mohd Salleh.
![Boeing Starliner akhirnya berjaya dilancarkan dengan kru ke ISS Boeing Starliner akhirnya berjaya dilancarkan dengan kru ke ISS](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/81717651405_BoeingStarliner.jpg)
Boeing Starliner akhirnya berjaya dilancarkan dengan kru ke ISS
Kapsul Starliner dilancarkan dari Cape Canaveral, Florida menggunakan roket Atlas V oleh United Launch Alliance (ULA).
![NASA raikan ulang tahun ke-25 Stesen Angkasa Lepas Antarabangsa NASA raikan ulang tahun ke-25 Stesen Angkasa Lepas Antarabangsa](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-12/61701948772_TBNASAjpg.jpg)
NASA raikan ulang tahun ke-25 Stesen Angkasa Lepas Antarabangsa
Agensi angkasa lepas Amerika Syarikat NASA pada Rabu meraikan ulang tahun ke-25 permulaan operasi Stesen Angkasa Lepas Antarabangsa (ISS), lapor agensi berita Jerman (dpa).
![Angkasawan NASA catat rekod baharu AS penerbangan angkasa paling lama Angkasawan NASA catat rekod baharu AS penerbangan angkasa paling lama](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-09/61694596113_NASA.jpg)
Angkasawan NASA catat rekod baharu AS penerbangan angkasa paling lama
Angkasawan NASA Frank Rubio telah mencipta rekod baharu penerbangan kapal angkasa paling lama di Stesen Angkasa Antarabangsa (ISS).
![Empat angkasawan kembali ke bumi selepas enam bulan di angkasa - NASA Empat angkasawan kembali ke bumi selepas enam bulan di angkasa - NASA](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-09/51693815643_astronauts.jpg)
Empat angkasawan kembali ke bumi selepas enam bulan di angkasa - NASA
Selepas kira-kira enam bulan berada di Stesen Angkasa Antarabangsa (ISS) dua warga Amerika, seorang angkasawan Rusia dan Emiriah Arab Bersatu telah selamat kembali ke Bumi, menurut NASA pada Isnin.
![NASA, SpaceX lancarkan misi kru ketujuh ke ISS pada Ogos NASA, SpaceX lancarkan misi kru ketujuh ke ISS pada Ogos](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-07/51688622650_SpaceXrocket.jpg)
NASA, SpaceX lancarkan misi kru ketujuh ke ISS pada Ogos
NASA dan SpaceX merancang untuk melancarkan misi kru ketujuh ke Stesen Angkasa Antarabangsa (ISS) pada Ogos, lapor Xinhua.
![SpaceX Dragon mula misi pulang ke bumi SpaceX Dragon mula misi pulang ke bumi](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-06/51688100306_TBDragoCargocraft.jpg)
SpaceX Dragon mula misi pulang ke bumi
Kapal angkasa itu bersedia untuk melakukan pendaratan di luar pantai Florida dengan bantuan payung terjun.
![Malaysia boleh hantar angkasawan kedua jika negara stabil - Sheikh Muszaphar Malaysia boleh hantar angkasawan kedua jika negara stabil - Sheikh Muszaphar](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2016-01/51453217634_SheikhMuszapharShuko.jpg)
Malaysia boleh hantar angkasawan kedua jika negara stabil - Sheikh Muszaphar
Inisiatif di bawah rangka tindakan Agensi Angkasa Negara Malaysia itu bertujuan menghantar angkasawan wanita pertama negara ke ISS.
![Angkasawan persendirian AS tamat misi, pulang ke bumi Angkasawan persendirian AS tamat misi, pulang ke bumi](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-05/81685525881_AxiomMission.jpg)
Angkasawan persendirian AS tamat misi, pulang ke bumi
Kapal angkasa Dragon SpaceX yang membawa empat angkasawan persendirian Axiom Space selamat pulang ke bumi sekali gus menamatkan misi angkasawan persendirian kedua ke Stesen Angkasa Antarabangsa (ISS).
![Rusia bakal tinggalkan ISS selepas 2024 Rusia bakal tinggalkan ISS selepas 2024](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-07/41658883473_ISS.jpg)
Rusia bakal tinggalkan ISS selepas 2024
Rusia akan beri tumpuan kepada usaha membina pos luar orbitnya sendiri.
![Tandas kapsul SpaceX rosak, angkasawan terpaksa pakai 'lampin' Tandas kapsul SpaceX rosak, angkasawan terpaksa pakai 'lampin'](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-11/71636271162_angkasawanISS.jpg)
Tandas kapsul SpaceX rosak, angkasawan terpaksa pakai 'lampin'
"Perjalanan angkasa penuh dengan perubahan kecil. Ini satu lagi yang kami perlu hadapi dan tangani dalam misi ini."