BAIKONUR, Kazakhstan -- A Russian space capsule blasted off Wednesday on a landmark mission that will double the crew of the international space station.

The Soyuz TMA-15 craft carrying Canadian astronaut Bob Thirsk, cosmonaut Roman Romanenko and Belgium's Frank De Winne soared into the hot afternoon skies over Kazakhstan's northern steppe on a two-day journey to the orbiting station.

The trio will join the three crew members already on board the space station, giving the station six permanent members for the first time.

Scores of journalists, relatives and dignitaries, including Belgium's Prince Philip, watched from a viewing stand 1 1/2 kilometers away, applauding as the rocket roared into the sky.

"This is very important for Belgium. [De Winne] represents Europe and he represents Belgium. He represents international collaboration for peaceful application of science," the prince said.

Thirsk's three children also watched the launch, along with his 81-year-old mother, Eva.

"It's rather exciting. He's doing what he wants to do. And he's so happy about it. And I'm so happy for him," she said.