On Monday, May 14 RSC Energia (which is included in State Corporation ROSCOSMOS) held a session of the Council of Chief Designers for the Russian Segment (RS) of the International Space Station (ISS).

After opening remarks of General Designer of RSC Energia Yevgeni Mikrin, the Council of Chief Designers reviewed the launch readiness of the new-series manned transportation spacecraft Soyuz MS-09 and launch vehicle Soyuz-FG. Also reviewed were the readiness of the ISS, the launch and range facilities, LOCT and MCC equipment and personnel, search and rescue vehicles, crew medical support, and Expedition crews for the upcoming work.

The First Deputy General Designer – the general designer of RSC Energia for manned space systems Sergei ROMANOV reported on the steps taken to implement the program of the ISS space transportation support, the progress of preparations for launch of the manned transportation spacecraft Soyuz MS-09, and readiness of Soyuz MS-07 systems for completion of its mission.

RSC Energia First Deputy General Designer for flight operations and testing of rocket and space systems Vladimir SOLOVIEV presented the ISS mission results and status of its systems, told about the results of science experiments and further work plans.

Speaking about a number of science and applied experiments , he reported that altogether 55 experiments under the program of applied science research (including joint experiment with NASA and ESA) are scheduled for implementation during the ISS-56 Expedition, of which 49 space experiments are to performed with the crew participation.

331 space experiment sessions (including automatic ones) are scheduled, including those in the areas of «Earth and space studies» –33,8 %; «Humans in space» –29,6 %; «Space exploration technologies» –28,4 %. 8,2 % of a total number of scheduled experiments are allocated to experiments in various subjects (others).

He also said that a spacewalk of Russian cosmonauts Oleg ARTEMIEV and Sergey PROKOPIEV is scheduled.

Vladimir SOLOVIEV pointed out that the resources of the Russian Segment of the ISS are sufficient to implement the ISS-56 program, the ground control assets and mission control personnel are ready for landing of Soyuz MS-07 and launch of Soyuz-09 spacecraft.

Reports on the readiness of all systems of Soyuz MS-09 spacecraft and Russian Segment of the International Space Station were made by chief designers, responsible representatives of RSC Energia and participating organizations.

A conclusion was reached that MCC-M assets and personnel were ready for the launch of Soyuz MS-09 spacecraft; a report was made on the readiness of the search and rescue assets. A representative of the Institute for Bio-Medical Problems (IBMP) reported on the health status of the crews that are currently working onboard the ISS and those that are receiving training for their mission. A representative of the Cosmonaut Training Center confirmed that the crews are ready for the program of upcoming activities onboard the ISS.

Summarizing the results of the session, the Council of Chief Designers approved RSC Energia proposals to

• return the crew of Expedition ISS-54/55 consisting of Anton SHKAPLEROV, Scott TINGLE and Norishige KANAI on June 3, 2018 on Soyuz-07 spacecraft;
• to prepare for the spacecraft launch on June 6, 2018, and deliver the Expedition crew ISS-56/57 consisting of three crewmembers: Sergey PROKOPIEV, Alexander GERST, Serena AUNON-CHANCELLOR to the ISS;
• provide authorization to the ISS RS to proceed with the program of the next phase of the ISS operations.

In conclusion, the General Designer of RSC Energia Yevgeni Mikrin thanked for taking part in the proceedings the representatives of State Corporation Roscosmos, space agencies from abroad, companies in the rocket and space industry and some other organizations participating in the ISS program.