Olympic torch goes on a spacewalk

Two Russian cosmonauts make history by taking the Olympic torch on a spacewalk outside the International Space Station, though safety considerations mean the torch cannot be lit while it is in space

In a historic first, Russian cosmonauts Oleg Kotov and Sergei Ryazansky took a spacewalk while carrying the Olympic torch for February's Winter Games in Sochi. The pair stepped out of the International Space Station (ISS) at approximately 2.30pm, and proudly brandished the torch before returning it to the ISS and completing other tasks scheduled for their spacewalk. The Kremlin has gone to great lengths to showcase Russia's abilities in science and sport in the run up to the Games, though the torch procession has not gone entirely smoothly - by one estimate the flame has accidentally gone out at least 44 times on its long journey to the Black Sea resort of Sochi.