Russia to launch 2 manned, 3 cargo missions to ISS in early 2022; redocks previous capsule

Russian ncy Roscosmos, in association with National Aeronautics and ministration (NASA), is all set to launch 5 craft to International Station (ISS) in first half of 2022. missions will include 2 manned flights in Soyuz MS-21 craft to ISS on March 18. ditionally, three cargo missions in Progress MS 19, scheduled for February 15.

Soyuz MS-21 craft will take flight with astronauts Oleg Artrmyev, Denis Maryeyev, and Sergey Karsakov onboard. Following this, ar Soyuz MS-22 craft will carry astronauts Sergey Prokopyev, Anna Kikina and Dimitry Petelin to ISS on September 21. Meanwhile, in 2021, Roscosmos is preparing to set a course for four launches with two Progress, one Soyuz and one Nauka module of craft.

Soyuz MS-19 at ISS redocks to free Rassavet port

At ISS, previously launched flights are making shifts to allow for scheduled launches. On September 28, Soyuz MS-18 craft that first launched and arrived at International Station on April 9 has w successfully relocated with its crew aboard from station’s Earth-facing Rassvet module to “Nauka” Multipurpose Laboratory Module.  Russian Soyuz MS-18 h undocked from Rassvet module on International Station at 8:21 am,  NASA said in a statement. Russian cosmonauts Oleg vitskiy, who is commander of Soyuz craft, and Pyotr Dubrov along with NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei were onboard to ensure successful relocation of craft. trio me a victorious attempt and completed relocation at 9:04 am. Nauka arrived at station in July and was attached to station’s Zvezda module, providing a new laboratory and robotic arm aboard orbiting outpost to conduct experiments, store scientific instruments and provide ditional sleeping and bathroom for onboard men.

"It is first time a craft has attached to new Nauka module, which arrived at station in July, and is 20th Soyuz port relocation in station history and first since March 2021," ncy ded. 

According to NASA, relocation has freed Rassvet port for arrival October 5 of ar Soyuz craft, designated Soyuz MS-19. craft moves from Earth with Soyuz commander and cosmonaut Anton Shkaplerov of Roscosmos and flight participants Klim Shipenko and Yulia Peresild onboard. Meanwhile, Vande Hei and Dubrov are scheduled to remain aboard station until March 2022. y are scheduled to return to Earth in Soyuz MS-18 in October 2022.

With inputs from ANI

Im: @Nasa/Twitter