Good morning once again from RF mission control! This is the second launch taking place tomorrow and this one is exciting! This mission will be transporting astronauts to the International Space Station, including NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet and Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Novitskiy. Let's get to it, shall we?
Primary Payload: Astronauts/Personnel
Launch Window: 11/17/2016 15:20 EST.
Agency: Roscosmos
Launch Vehicle: Soyuz-FG
Live Stream Link (Updated 11/17/16)
Soyuz MS-03 begins expedition 50 by carrying NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet and Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Novitskiy to the International Space Station. After launching from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, they will rendezvous to the station where they will remain for their 6 month stay.
The Soyuz-FG launch vehicle is an improved version of the Soyuz-U, from the R-7 family of rockets, designed and constructed by TsSKB-Progress in Samara. It made its maiden flight on May 20, 2001, carrying a Progress M1-6 cargo spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS).
Since October 30, 2002 the Soyuz-FG has been the only vehicle used by the Russian Federal Space Agency to launch Soyuz-TMA and Soyuz-MS manned spacecraft to the ISS. All launches have been successful.[2]
Another version of the Soyuz-FG is the Soyuz-FG/Fregat with Fregat as its 3rd stage, developed and produced by Lavochkin Association in Khimki. A European-Russian company Starsem owns all rights to launches using this version. As of December 2014 there have been 10 launches of Soyuz-FG/Fregat with commercial payloads.[3] Its maiden flight occurred on June 2, 2003.
The analog control system of this spacecraft significantly limits its capabilities, and it will eventually be replaced by the Soyuz-2 launch vehicle.
The Soyuz-FG is launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, using launch site LC-1/5 for Soyuz-FG and LC-31/6 for Soyuz-FG/Fregat.
Since October 30, 2002 the Soyuz-FG has been the only vehicle used by the Russian Federal Space Agency to launch Soyuz-TMA and Soyuz-MS manned spacecraft to the ISS. All launches have been successful.[2]
Another version of the Soyuz-FG is the Soyuz-FG/Fregat with Fregat as its 3rd stage, developed and produced by Lavochkin Association in Khimki. A European-Russian company Starsem owns all rights to launches using this version. As of December 2014 there have been 10 launches of Soyuz-FG/Fregat with commercial payloads.[3] Its maiden flight occurred on June 2, 2003.
The analog control system of this spacecraft significantly limits its capabilities, and it will eventually be replaced by the Soyuz-2 launch vehicle.
The Soyuz-FG is launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, using launch site LC-1/5 for Soyuz-FG and LC-31/6 for Soyuz-FG/Fregat.
Mission Details
More about Soyuz-FG
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