Brasília - Led by minister of Science and Technology, Sergio Rezende, a number of government authorities will accompany the launch of the Soyus TMA-8 spacecraft tonight. Aboard will be Brazil's first astronaut, Marcos Pontes, on his way to the International Space Station (Estação Espacial Internacional).

Baptized "Centenary Mission" (Missão Centenário), the Pontes space venture honors the 100th anniversary of the first ever public flights of a heavier-than-air, powered aircraft, which took place in Paris in October and November 1906. On November 12, 1906, Brazilian aviation pioneer, Alberto Santos-Dumont, took off, flew his aircraft, the 14-bis, over 200 meters during 21 seconds at a speed of slightly more than 37 kilometers an hour, and landed safely.

The launch will take place at 11:30 tonight, Brazilian time; 9:30 EST.

Translation: Allen Bennett