US-Russian crew blasts off for space station

MOSCOW — A Russian spacecraft carrying an American and two Russians blasted off Monday from the snow-covered Kazakh steppes in a faultless launch that eased anxiety about the future of U.S. and Russian space programs.

The Soyuz TMA-22 lifted off as scheduled at 8:14 a.m. (0414 GMT) from the Russian-leased Baikonur cosmodrome to carry NASA astronaut Dan Burbank and Russians Anton Shkaplerov and Anatoly Ivanishin on a mission to the International Space Station.

The launch had been delayed for two months due to the crash of an unmannned Progress cargo ship in August. The failed launch raised doubts about future missions to the station, because the rocket that crashed used the same upper stage as the booster rockets carrying Soyuz ships to orbit.

NASA had warned that the space outpost would need to be abandoned temporarily for the first time in nearly 11 years if a new crew could not be launched before the last of the station’s six residents flew back to Earth in mid-November.

Russian space officials tracked down the Progress launch failure to an “accidental” manufacturing flaw and recalled all Soyuz rockets from space launch pads for a thorough examination. The successful launch of a Progress ship last month cleared the way for the crew to be sent off.

The new crew are to arrive just in time to keep the orbiting station manned. The three crew members currently on board the station are set to return to Earth on Nov. 21. Another launch next month is to take the station back to its normal six-person crew mode.

SportsPlus

Business

Tradition of Service: Muffler Center to celebrate 50 years with open house on Dec. 14

Mower County

Cost-share available for old wells

Mower County

Christmas in the County to be held at Historical society on Dec. 14

Mower County

In Your Community: Duplicate Bridge

Mower County

In Your Community: Mower County Senior Center

Crime, Courts & Emergencies

Convictions: Nov. 25-Dec. 2

News

US added a strong 227,000 jobs in November in bounce-back from October slowdown

Albert Lea

Seniors ride for free with SMART

Mower County

Riverland Theatre students shine in “The Spotlight”

Mower County

Council holds Truth in Taxation meeting, moves final levy and budget decision to Dec. 16 meeting

Mower County

New stop signs has city taking control of uncontrolled intersections

Mower County

Christmas concert featuring CommUNITY Choir, Austinaires to be held Tuesday

News

UnitedHealthcare CEO is fatally shot in a ‘targeted attack’ outside a New York hotel, officials say

Mower County

Suspect in criminal sexual conduct case in Grand Meadow has conditional release revoked

News

Minnesota budget update shows $1.1B less than prior forecast

Albert Lea

Freeborn Co. Fair releases 2025 grandstand line-up

News

My Town My Music release 2025 Rochester Thaw Music Festival Lineup

Education

LeRoy’s Izabella Allison named to the Dean’s List at Palmer College of Chiropractic

Blooming Prairie

Education Briefs: Blooming Prairie A Honor Roll

News

History museum teaches appreciation for buildings, design through gingerbread

Mower County

Long awaited renovation/expansion project announced for Paramount Theatre

Mower County

City council puts pause on cannabis ordinance

Mower County

Holiday fun in works for Merry & Bright Night

Crime, Courts & Emergencies

None injured in Thanksgiving night house fire