Specialists of RSC Energia completed detailed and final design of an advanced spacecraft, a contract for development of working design documentation is being implemented, TASS reports with reference to the corporation’s quarter report.

It is stated in the document, that the development of advanced manned transport system (AMTS) is underway; it should replace the transport system comprising Soyuz TMA and Progress M spacecraft.

“So far detailed and final design of AMTS (stage 1) have been completed, the contract for development of working design documentation is being implemented; AMTS is designed for performing flights beyond low-Earth orbit, including flights to the Moon,” said in the report. Moreover, RSC Energia is developing orbital modules, which will be launched to ISS over the next few years. This refers to multi-role laboratory, node and science power modules. 

It is planned to continue operation of the station until 2024. The new manned spacecraft should replace Soyuz Family spacecraft. It is expected to carry up to six persons to the low-Earth orbit or four persons to the Moon. Development of the spacecraft was started in 2009. Initially the first unmanned launch was scheduled for 2015 and the manned one – for 2018. Now the launches were rescheduled to 2021 and 2024 respectively.