SPACE CAPUSULE SOYUZ TAKES OFF WITH ITALIAN ABOARD

The Italian astronaut Roberto Vittori was aboard the space capsule Soyuz when 
it left the Russian space center at Baikonur, in Kazakhstan at 8:26 this 
morning. 

The capsule's destination is the ISS (International Space Center). The space 
mission, named by the Italian Space Agency, will last ten days. 

Mr. Vittori will spend eight days at the station, with re-entry slated for 
May 5. The Italian astronaut, an engineer by profession, will conduct a 
number of experiments for the Italian, and European, Space Agencies on the 
effects of space on human health.