RSC Energia and SC Yuzhnyi specialists successfully performed leak tests of the manned transportation spacecraft (MTS) of the new modification Soyuz МС-02 in the vacuum chamber in Baikonur cosmodrome.

Closeout operations are on-going on the spacecraft before it is filled with propellant components and compressed gasses in the fueling-and-neutralization area (FNA). FNA activities are scheduled for September 10, following the first crew training on the spacecraft to occur on September 9th.

As of today, a test cycle of space hardware in the vacuum chamber using helium-air medium in the volumes under test remains an objective leak testing method under ground conditions ensuring a leak check for specified rigorous requirements.

The launch of Soyuz МС-02 carrying the next long-duration Expedition crew to the International Space Station is scheduled for September 23, 2016 from Baikonur cosmodrome. The prime ISS 49/50 crew consists of ROSCOSMOS cosmonauts Sergei RYZHIKOV and Andrei BORISNEKO, as well as NASA astronaut Shane KIMBROUGH.

Unique vacuum facility 17T523M with a volume of 1515 cubic meters was produced on the basis of vacuum chamber 17T523, which was designed for leak tests of large-size compartments, pneumatic hydraulic systems of Buran orbital vehicles. Owing to its new configuration the facility could be used for testing of large-size space hardware. A large variety of articles were successfully tested in vacuum chamber 17T523M, including spacecraft Soyuz, Progress, core module of the ISS Russian Segment Zvezda, modules Pirs and Poisk, communication satellites Yamal and others. Following the major reconstruction completed in 2016, the obsolete facility equipment and assemblies were replaced with the state-of-the-art ones. Modern vacuum pumps, seals, cooling system components were installed, the facility analog control unit was replaced with the electronic one. The camera body and cradle structure for articles loading were subject to renovation procedures.