Sunlight on Soyuz launcher

The fully integrated Soyuz FG-Fregat vehicle carrying ESA’s Venus Express probe on its mobile launch table on its pad at launch complex no.31, in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, on 4 November 2005.

Once vertical, the launcher underwent four days of pre-launch check out and countdown rehearsals.
Lift-off occurred at 04:33 CET (03:33 UT) on 9 November and Venus Express was successfully launched on a solar orbit towards Venus. It is now in its final orbit around Venus.