On July 16, the prime and backup crewmembers of the new-series transport manned vehicle (ТMV) Soyuz МS-05 arrived at Baikonur cosmodrome for final their training before the flight.

The Expedition 52/53 crew (ISS-52/53) consists of ROSCOSMOS cosmonaut Sergei RYAZANSKY, NASA astronaut Randolf BRESNIK and ESA astronaut Paolo NESPOLI. The backup crewmembers are ROSCOSMOS cosmonaut Alexander MISURKIN, NASA astronaut Mark VANDE HEI and JAXA astronaut Norishige KANAI.

In Baikonur the cosmonauts and astronauts will fit check spacesuits Sokol-KV, take their seats in the vehicle, get familiar with the onboard data files and perform some tests of the onboard systems. During the final training sessions at the launch site training of the vehicle manual proximity operations to the ISS, audit of scientific hardware kits, testing of upcoming ballistic operations and other preparatory procedures are also planned.

The launch of Soyuz MS-05 carrying the crew of the next long-duration tour to the International Space Station (ISS) is scheduled on July 28, 2017 from Baikonur cosmodrome.