The Soyuz MS-12 spacecraft is already at the launch complex of the Baikonur cosmodrome and is preparing to send the next batch of cosmonauts and astronauts to the International Space Station.
Soyuz-FG missile
The Russian Soyuz-FG rocket was developed specifically for the delivery of the crew in the Soyuz-TMA spacecraft. The launch site Baikonur in Kazakhstan has been used as a launching pad from the first launch in 2001 to the present day.
The rocket deserved respect for the number of successful launches, because among 67 launches only one turned out to be an emergency one (October 11, 2018). At the same time, the emergency descent system worked, and the astronaut and astronaut landed safely on the surface. In 2020 they plan to completely stop using the rocket. But in the near future we will be able to enjoy another launch.
Run on the ISS
A new start is scheduled for March 14th. If the weather does not interfere, then you can watch the launch at 22:14 Moscow time. The new crew includes Russian cosmonaut Alexei Ovchinin, as well as astronauts Tyler Haig and Christina Hammok Koch.
It should be noted that this will be the first flight into orbit for Haig, who tried to do it on October 11, 2018, but the launch turned out to be emergency. Then he flew with Ovchinin and now they have to try again. For Christina Koch, this is also the first launch. In addition, she will take part in a meaningful mission. March 29, along with McClain Ann Charlotte, they are preparing to go into outer space to replace the station's solar panels. This is the first time when only girls will enter the space walk (“For the first time, two women” will go into outer space).
All American colleagues planned three spacewalks (March 22 and 29, as well as April 8). In addition, the Russian cosmonauts will go on a space walk in May. This mission was entrusted to Ovchinin and Oleg Kononenko.
Back in February, it was reported that this flight should last 6 hours with four orbits around the planet. It is important to understand that Russian launches use two launch patterns: 6 hours of flight or two days with 34 turns. If we are talking about cargo delivery, the flight speed can be reduced to 3 hours with two turns.
Postscript
Ovchinin and Haig do not worry at all about the upcoming launch and they have not left any post-traumatic shock due to an accident. On the part of NASA, they also declare complete confidence in the Russian rocket, which for so many years of service has proved itself to be a reliable transport to orbit. Therefore, to start on March 14, all are treated with the usual calm.
