Getting Closer to Launch: Testing of the Russian Spacecraft \"Soyuz MS-28\" for Airtightness Begins

The medium-class launch vehicle \"Soyuz-2.1a\" has arrived at the Baikonur Cosmodrome

The manned transport spacecraft "Soyuz MS-28" has been placed in a vacuum chamber to test its airtightness. It is being prepared for launch to the International Space Station (ISS), which is scheduled for November 27, 2025. This was reported by the Roscosmos press service.

Testing the airtightness of the spacecraft "Soyuz MS-28"

Inside the chamber, a pressure level similar to that in space is created. With its help, specialists check the airtightness of all three compartments, the thermal control system, fuel tanks, and other critical equipment. The tests will last about a week.

Before the launch, "Soyuz MS-28" awaits:

  • control \"illumination\" of solar panels (checking the process of charging batteries from solar panels)
  • refueling with oxidizer and fuel
  • docking with the head fairing (protects the spacecraft in the dense layers of the atmosphere during its launch into orbit)
  • rolling the head fairing (applying a special coating)
  • testing with the crew (performing training activities inside the ship)
  • assembly and transport to the launch site

A train with the Russian medium-class launch vehicle "Soyuz-2.1a" has already arrived at the Baikonur Cosmodrome. It delivered parts of the rocket and assembly and protection blocks for the ship.

About the spacecraft <b>"Soyuz MS-28"</b>

"Soyuz MS-28" belongs to the series of multi-seat manned spacecraft of the "Soyuz" family, developed by RSC Energia. They deliver a crew of 3 people to low Earth orbit. The ship consists of 3 compartments: instrument-aggregate, living, and descent module.

Characteristics of the "Soyuz" family spacecraft:

  • Autonomy — 3 days,
  • Autonomy as part of an orbital station — up to 200 days
  • Overall diameter — 2.72 m
  • Length — 7.9 m
  • Mass — 7220 kg

Read more materials on the topic: