Soyuz TMA-04M begins expedition 31 by carrying 3 astronauts and cosmonauts to the International Space Station. Russian Commander, cosmonaut Gennady Padalka alongside Flight Engineers, Sergei Revin (RSA) & Joseph M. Acaba (NASA) will launch aboard the Soyuz spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan and then rendezvous with the station. It landed on 17 September 2012, 02:53 UTC
Low Earth OrbitThis is the first satellite of the Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) system, which is a series of communications satellites operated by the United States Air Force Space Command. It provides global, survivable, protected communications capabilities for strategic command and tactical warfighters operating on ground, sea and air platforms.
Geostationary Transfer Orbit