Raketno kosmchsky krp En imn SP Krl : LV Soyuz-FG with spacecraft Soyuz МS-07 is successfully launched from Baikonur cosmodrome

LV Soyuz-FG with spacecraft Soyuz МS-07 is successfully launched from Baikonur cosmodrome

On December 17, 2017 at 10:21 Moscow time the integrated launch vehicle with Soyuz MS-07 spacecraft was successfully launched from launch pad 5 of site 1 (Gagarin's launch pad) of Baikonur cosmodrome. The spacecraft is carrying onboard the ISS-54/55 long-duration expedition crewmembers - ROSCOSMOS cosmonaut Anton SHKAPLEROV (crew commander), NASA astronaut Scott TINGLE and JAXA astronaut Norishige KANAI (flight engineers).

After spacecraft separation from the third stage of the launch vehicle specialists of the Lead Operational Control Team for the ISS Russian Segment (MCC RS LOCT) at the Mission Control Center (MCC) proceeded with the spacecraft flight control.

At present, Commander of the ISS-54 International crew, Russian cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin and flight engineers, US astronauts (NASА) Mark Vande Hei and Joseph Acaba are being prepared for meeting their colleagues onboard the International Space Station.

The rendezvous of Soyuz МS-07 spacecraft with the Station and its final approach to the research module Rassvet (МRМ 1) are planned to be performed in an automatic mode under control of the ISS RS LOCT specialists at MCC and Russian crewmembers of the transport spacecraft and the station.

The spacecraft will use a two-day rendezvous capability for approaching the ISS, as planned by the flight program. The spacecraft docking to the station is planned on December 19, 2017.

Soyuz MS-07 will deliver 180 kg of various cargo items for Russian cosmonauts and our ISS partners. Among them are experiment hardware, equipment for biomedical and geophysical research, medium with a new software version for the onboard computer which shall ensure docking and functionality of new ISS modules, life support equipment and cosmonauts personal items.

In addition to this, 10 kilos of fresh vegetables and fruits, as well as a new belt for the treadmill required for the cosmonauts to keep fit will arrive to the station.

Under the symbolic activity program the following items will be delivered to the ISS: a Russian mail kit, i.e. envelops with ROSCOSMOS logo и special cancellation stamp, KHL puck in addition to a copy of KHL Cup which was brought to orbit earlier, a kit with commemorative «Worldskills Russia» of the Union of Young Representatives of Workers' Professions, pennants of the Scientific Center for Eurasian Integration and six flags of the Eurasian Union member states.

The expedition tasks include: handling Russian and US cargo vehicles, keeping station in good working order, performing the RS and USOS EVAs, performing onboard still and video photography to chronicle the mission of the ISS Russian Segment, and activities under the program of symbolic activities.

During the ISS-54 Expedition 53 applied science experiments on the Earth and space exploration are supposed to be performed under the Russian applied scientific program, including joint experiments with NASA and ESA.

Planned are 297 experiment sessions, including the following areas: Earth and space exploration - 44,8%; man-in-space - 18,5%; technologies of space exploration - 27,6%. The experiments in such areas as «Space biology and biotechnology», «Physical and Chemical Processes and Materials in Space», as well as «Education and promotion of space research» are allocated 9,1% of the overall volume of the applied science experiments.

An egress into space under the RS program from DC1 is planned for February 2, 2018.

The planned mission duration is 168 days.

The manned transportation spacecraft Soyuz MS developed and built by RSC Energia is designed to deliver the crews of up to three members and their accompanying cargos to the International Space Station (ISS), as well as to return them to Earth. When attached to the ISS, it also serves as a crew rescue vehicle and is kept permanently ready for emergency crew return to Earth.

RSC Energia is the leader in the rocket and space industry, and the prime contractor for manned space systems. The Corporation conducts work on the development of unmanned space and rocket systems (launch vehicles and orbital transfer vehicles), and high-technology systems for various non-space applications. Since August 2014, the Corporation is headed by Vladimir Lvovich SOLNTSEV.

SC ROSCOSMOS is a State Corporation that was established in August 2015 to implement a comprehensive reform of the Russian rocket-and-space industry. State Corporation ROSCOSMOS ensures the implementation of the Russian government's space program and its legal regulation. ROSCOSMOS is also placing orders for the development, manufacture and supply of space equipment and space infrastructure objects. The State Corporation is also responsible for international space cooperation and arranging conditions for the future use of results of space activities in the social and economic development of Russia.

RSC Energia press-center