Today, on September 13, RSC Energia specialists successfully performed processing operations at Baikonur cosmodrome relating the new-modification transport space vehicle Soyuz MS-02 mating to the transfer compartment.

The vehicle prelaunch processing under the International Space Station (ISS) program is under way in the spacecraft Assembly and Testing facility (SC ATF) at Baikonur cosmodrome. Previously the vehicle was fueled with propellant components and compressed gases.

Per the preparatory work schedule for the nearest week the following activities are planned, i.e. designer’s inspection of the vehicle, encapsulation and transportation of the payload module with Soyuz МS-02 from SC ATF to the launch vehicle integration and test facility (LV ITF) for final assembly with launch vehicle Soyuz-FG.

The launch of manned transport vehicle Soyuz MS-02 is scheduled on September 23, at 21:17 Moscow time from Baikonur Cosmodrome. ROSKOSMOS cosmonauts Sergei RYZHIKOV and Andrei BORISENKO, as well as NASA astronaut Robert Shane KIMBROUGH are prime crewmembers. ROSKOSMOS cosmonauts Alexander MISURKIN and Nikolai TIKHONOV, and NASA astronaut Mark VANDE HEI are backup crewmembers.

The new-modification vehicle Soyuz MS was developed as a result of in-depth upgrade of Soyuz TMA. It is designed to deliver up to three crewmembers and associated cargo to the International Space Station, and also return them to the Earth. When attached to the ISS, the vehicle also serves as a crew rescue vehicle and is kept in constant readiness for urgent crew descent to the Earth.