Russia's Soyuz TMA-02M spacecraft on Wednesday successfully lifted off carrying an American, a Russian and a Japanese astronaut heading to the International Space Station.
An IrAero passenger plane crashed near an airport in Russia's Far East on Monday morning, officials said, injuring 15 people but causing no fatalities.
Some fortunate pilots get the opportunity to live out their inner Maverick in a transport jet. Sometimes, it's done with prior practice and planning; sometimes, not so much.