Principia launch day is set for 15 December 2015. For ESA astronaut Tim Peake, NASA astronaut Tim Kopra and Russian commander Yuri Malenchenko it will be a long day. Below is a detailed timeline of their voyage if they take the six-hour, four-orbit, route to the International Space Station. Mission control can decide at any point, even after launch, to take the longer 2-day route.

All times are in GMT and ar e indications.

Time L-

02:03:10 9:00 Crew wakeup at Cosmonaut Hotel

05:03:10 6:00 Crew departs Cosmonaut Hotel

05:18:10 5:45 Batteries installed in booster

05:48:10 5:15 Crew arrives at Site 254

06:03:10 5:00 Tanking begins

06:33:10 4:30 Crew suit up

06:58:10 4:05 Booster loaded with liquid Oxygen

07:33:10 3:30 Crew meets family members on other side of the glass

07:58:10 3:05 First and second stage Oxygen fueling complete

08:03:10 3:00 Crew walkout from 254 and boards bus for the launch pad

08:08:10 2:55 Crew departs for launch pad (Site 1)

08:28:10 2:35 Crew arrives at launch pad (Site 1)

08:38:10 2:25 Crew boards Soyuz; strapped in to the Descent module

09:28:10 1:35 Descent module hardware tested

09:43:10 1:20 Hatch closed; leak checks begin

10:00:00 1:03: ESA TV launch coverage begins

10:03:10 1:00 Launch vehicle control system prep; gyro activation

10:18:10 :45 Pad service structure components lowered

10:19:10 :44 Clamshell gantry service towers retracted

10:26:10 :37 Suit leak checks begin; descent module testing complete

10:29:10 :34 Emergency escape system armed

10:48:10 :15 Suit leak checks complete; escape system to auto

10:53:10 :10 Gyros in flight readiness and recorders activated

10:56:10 :07 Pre-launch operations complete

10:57:10 :06 Launch countdown operations to auto; vehicle ready

10:58:10 :05 Commander’s controls activated

10:59:10 :04 Combustion chamber nitrogen purge

10:00:10 :03 Propellant drainback

11:00:14 :02:56 Space Station flies over Baikonur

11:00:25 :02:45 Booster propellant tank pressurization

11:01:40 :01:30 Ground propellant feed terminated

11:02:10 :01:00 Vehicle to internal power

11:02:35 :00:35 First umbilical tower separates

Auto sequence start

11:02:40 :00:30 Ground umbilical to third stage disconnected

11:02:55 :00:15 Second umbilical tower separates

11:02:58 :00:12 Launch command issued

Engine Start Sequence Begins

11:03:10 :00:10 Engine turbopumps at flight speed

11:03:05 :00:05 Engines at maximum thrust

11:03:10 :00:00 LAUNCH OF SOYUZ TMA-19M

11:11:55 +8:45 Third stage shutdown and orbital insertion

11:13 Soyuz spacecraft separates and is flying free

15:15 Rendezvous with International Space Station begins

17:00 ESA TV docking coverage begins

17:24 Docking

17:37 Docking hooks close

17:40 Pressure-check for leaks

18:45 ESA TV hatch opening coverage begins

19:25 Hatches open for greetings and safety briefing

19:30 Press conference and talk with family