LONGUEUIL, QUEBEC -- (Marketwire) -- 12/13/12 -- Media representatives are invited to the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) for the launch of a Russian Soyuz vehicle with Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield aboard. The launch is set for December 19, 2012 at 7:12 a.m. EST.

Chris Hadfield will then embark on a five-month mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS) where he will carry out scientific experiments, operate Canadarm2 and perform robotics tasks. As of March 2013, he will oversee operations as the first Canadian Commander of the ISS.

Journalists who cannot be on-site at CSA will be able to watch the event live on the CSA website at www.asc-csa.gc.ca

Date:          December 19, 2012                                           
                                                                           
Time:          6:45 a.m.                                                   
                                                                           
What:          Presentations and live commentaries                         
               Launch of the Russian Soyuz vehicle for Expedition 34/35 (on
               NASA TV)                                                    
                                                                           
Who:           His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor
               General of Canada                                           
               Steve MacLean, CSA President                                
               David Saint-Jacques, CSA Astronaut                          
               Robert Thirsk, Former CSA Astronaut                         
                                                                           
Where:         Canadian Space Agency                                       
               6767 Route de l'Aeroport                                    
               Saint-Hubert, Quebec                                        

To schedule interviews with CSA spokespersons, please contact CSA Media Relations at 450-926-4370.

For more details on the mission, visit the Canadian Space Agency's website at www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/missions/expedition34-35/default.asp

Videos, animations and pictures are available at this address: ftp://ftp.asc-csa.gc.ca/users/expedition34-35/pub/B-ROLL/ -

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