An important stage in the pre-launch preparation of the Soyuz MS-27 manned transport spacecraft has begun at the Baikonur Cosmodrome. In the assembly and test facility of Site 254, the spacecraft was placed in a vacuum chamber to test its airtightness.
After completing the preparatory activities, specialists from RSC Energia and specialized Roscosmos enterprises transported and loaded the Soyuz MS-27 onto the cradles of the vacuum chamber. The cycle of pneumatic vacuum tests using a helium-air environment in the tested volumes is designed for high-quality control of the spacecraft's airtightness and its onboard systems under ground conditions.
These tests are carried out in special chambers that allow simulating the extreme conditions of space flight. Engineers carefully monitor the pressure and temperature inside the spacecraft to ensure its ability to withstand the loads it will experience in orbit. In addition to checking airtightness, the tests allow assessing the operability of onboard systems in vacuum and low-temperature conditions.
The launch of the Soyuz-2.1a carrier rocket with the Soyuz MS-27 spacecraft under the program to deliver participants of the 73rd main expedition to the International Space Station is scheduled for April 2025. The results of the vacuum tests will be carefully analyzed before a final decision is made on the spacecraft's readiness for launch.
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