Russia's Next-Generation Lunar Spacecraft Enters Ground Testing
Russia's new-generation transport spacecraft has moved to autonomous integrated testing, test cosmonaut Mark Serov said. Orbital flight trials come next.
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giftdetect· the right gift in minutesRussia's new-generation transport spacecraft has entered the stage of autonomous integrated testing, test cosmonaut Mark Serov told TASS. Developers are currently building mockups of the vehicle and experimental rigs, and the next step is preparing the craft for flight tests in orbit.
Ergonomics and controls under review
According to Serov, work has already been completed on the layout of crew workstations, the human-machine interface and the algorithms for crew actions. These are the areas the team is checking on the mockups before any hardware flies.
He stressed that the project is moving forward methodically. The team does not intend to publicly disclose interim results until specific targets are reached, so details on schedule and performance remain limited.
Built for deep space, tested in orbit
The spacecraft is designed for flights at second cosmic velocity, the minimum speed needed to escape Earth's gravity without further engine thrust, which is about 11.2 km/s near the planet's surface. It is being developed as part of preparations for a lunar programme, including a flyby of the Moon, and for expeditions to asteroids.
Serov clarified that the vehicle is not intended primarily for regular flights to low Earth orbit. Even so, orbital missions will serve as the proving ground for its flight tests.
For now, the programme remains in the ground-based phase. The move from mockups and experimental installations to in-orbit trials will be the first real measure of how far the new ship has progressed toward lunar missions.
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