Mar 2006 - Unless you have just spent the last few weeks in space yourself, you'll know that Lt Col Marcos Pontes has taken one short step to go where no Brazilian has gone before - space.

Having hitched a ride in the Russian Soyuz TMA-8 rocket, launched yesterday at 11.30pm (Brasilia time), Col Pontes will be spending 9 days in space, most of which will be spent inside the International Space Station.

In his luggage, Col Pontes has taken a replica of Santos-Dumont's hat, the Brazilian football team's shirt and a Brazilian flag.

Watch the launch again at the BBCs site.

If you were in his place, what would you have taken?

Send your suggestions to info@umbrellaRio.com.br and we'll publish them here.

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"I would tke my iPod with my favorite songs so I could listen to them watching the stars. I guesss I would take a few bars of chocolate too." Marcia Fialho

"A big metal bolt. Right before I left I'd tell the others in the crew I found it on the floor and leave them wondering where the hell it came from :-))" Fernando Farah

"I would take 300 Picaretas and 'A Dança do Mensalão'. While things that won't be needed (as they're in space already) are: The Interest Rate, the Government and the Ethics of the Brazilian Congress" Mike Royster

UPCOMING EVENTS