Russia's Next Generation of Cargo Spacecraft Delayed Until After 2020

The first launch of the Increased Capacity Cargo Transportation Spacecraft (ICCTS) for logistic support of the International Space Station (ISS) is possible after 2020.

Preliminary design work on the ICCTS is to be completed in December 2016, there are no plans to develop a cargo-return version of the spacecraft.

Launches of ICCTS will be carried out from Baikonur launch site using infrastructure originally developed for Soyuz MS and Progress MS spacecraft. Upon completion of flight tests the new spacecraft will completely replace the currently used logistics spacecraft Progress MS.

”With the new spacecraft developed, we will be able to send up more cargo per one launch. This will significantly improve the cost effectiveness of launches of logistic spacecraft to both the ISS and to the station, which is going to replace it. For us this is very important», – pointed out Director General of RSC Energia Vladimir Solntsev.

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