Sochi Torch Goes to Space

Sochi Torch goes into Space

A Soyuz TMA-11M rocket carrying the Sochi 2014 Torch will take off for the International Space Station tomorrow.

Launching from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the rocket will carry the Olympic torch into space for the first time.

The torch will go for a spacewalk on November 9th after the rocket successfully arrives at the International Space Station.

Cosmonauts Mikhail Tyurin and Oleg Kotov will carry the torch in the ISS before passing it to Sergey Ryazansky, who will take the Torch on a spacewalk.

Torch Relay Continues

As the torch prepares for its spacewalk, the torch relay continues across central Russia.

Today the torch visited Khanty-Mansiysk, which is home to HC Yugra, one of the clubs in Russia’s top hockey league. Khanty-Mansiysk also hosted Biathlon World Cup Events in 2003 and 2011.

133 people carried the torch, including Vancouver 2010 silver medalist Ekaterina Ilyukhina.

Tomorrow the torch will travel to Norilsk, the second largest city north of the Arctic Cricle. Norilsk is located in the heart of Russia’s copper-producing areas, and is the longest city in the world at 111.8 miles in length.

The Torch will continue to travel eastward as the cities of Mirny and Yakutsk will be reached by the time the Olympic torch makes its spacewalk.

The Mirny diamond pit, located right outside of the city, is the main attraction for the city.

Written byAaron Bauer

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