Leonard David's INSIDE OUTER SPACE

Image credit: RSC Energia

Preparations are quickening to launch Russia’s Soyuz MS-23 in uncrewed mode.         

At the Baikonur cosmodrome the Soyuz MS-23 was transported to that 31st site of the launch complex. Roscosmos specialists are readying the ship for general assembly with the Soyuz-2.1a rocket.

Russia’s RSC Energia hosted a Council of Chief Designers dedicated to the launch of the unpiloted craft to the International Space Station (ISS).

Outer surface survey

“After the depressurization of the thermal control system of the Progress MS-21 cargo ship, which occurred on February 11 at the ISS, specialists from Roscosmos enterprises carefully analyzed the received telemetry information and images of the outer surface of the ship. They also examined in detail the radiator on the Soyuz MS-23 spacecraft, which was located in the assembly and test building of the 254th site of Baikonur, and did not reveal any damage on it,” stated a Roscosmos Telegram.

As a result, the launch of the Soyuz MS-23 spacecraft from Baikonur is now slated for February 24 at 03:34 Moscow time.

Meanwhile, a decision has been made, post-survey of the automated Progress MS-21 supply craft, to carry out its reentry into Earth’s atmosphere on February 19 at 06:15 Moscow time, according to a Roscosmos Telegram posting.