The latest update from the space administration confirms that the State Commission gave the green light for refueling the Soyuz-2.1a rocket, which is set to carry the manned mission Soyuz MS-25. This information comes from the telegram channel Roscosmos, also widely circulated by spaceflight communities and official briefings.
Launch operations are scheduled from Baikonur’s 31st district at 15:36:10 Moscow time. On board will be Russian cosmonaut Oleg Novitsky, along with spaceflight participant Marina Vasilevskaya from the Republic of Belarus and NASA astronaut Tracy Dyson. The presence of a diverse crew underscores ongoing international collaboration in crewed missions to low Earth orbit and the International Space Station program.
Mission planners anticipate a prolonged orbital stay for the spacecraft, with an expected duration of 184 days in space. The craft is projected to reach the ISS approximately 50 hours after lift-off, setting the stage for a sustained mission profile that will include numerous orbital maneuvers, scientific experiments, and routine maintenance tasks essential to the complex space station ecosystem. Over the course of the mission, the spacecraft is expected to complete about 34 Earth orbits, contributing to ongoing research and milestone operations in human spaceflight.
Earlier communication from the State Commission indicated a change in the launch plan for Soyuz MS-25. In this context, Yuri Borisov, who oversees the Roscosmos state corporation, explained that the cancellation of the initial launch was due to a voltage drop detected in the spacecraft’s chemical power source. He stressed that the health of the Soyuz MS-25 crew remained strong and that the emergency measures were managed by the cosmonauts and ground teams with professional precision. The incident prompted a reassessment of systems and contingencies to ensure the highest safety standards for the crew and the mission, reflecting a cautious, methodical approach to spaceflight operations.
In related governance matters, developments within Roscosmos have continued to attract attention at the highest levels of national leadership. There have been discussions about leadership roles and oversight that influence the direction of Russia’s space program, with statements reflecting a commitment to safety, mission integrity, and the capacity to sustain international partnerships in exploration and technology development. These conversations emphasize the ongoing importance of robust governance alongside technical excellence in achieving long-term space objectives.