Soyuz rollout of David Saint-Jacques’ mission

2018-12-01 – In preparation for the December 3 launch, the Soyuz spacecraft is rolled out to the launch pad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome where it is raised into a vertical position. 

Tradition forbids the crew from seeing the rocket during this part of the trip. Backup crewmembers, dignitaries and the astronauts' families, however, do witness this important step. (Credit: Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC))