4
Eighteen months later:
Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
“The first umbilical tower has separated,” Launch Control stated.
“Copy thirty-eight,” a woman’s voice echoed in the background. “Auto-sequence has been initiated.”
“Roger, twenty seconds and counting,” Launch Control responded. “The final umbilical tower has now separated. Engines have fired with maximum thrust and we have liftoff from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 1:42 a.m. on their way to Gliese 581.”
“Good first stage performance,” Josh said sixty seconds later into the microphone attached to his helmet.
“Roll pitch is nominal,” Ash stated. “All systems normal.”
Josh breathed in and out, in calm even breaths, as the Soyuz rocket went through the different stages necessary before breaking through Earth’s orbit.
