Russia to launch 10 spaceships in 2010
MOSCOW. January 5. KAZINFORM Russia plans to launch 10 spacecraft this year, including four manned spacecraft and six cargo spaceships, the Russian spacecraft manufacturer Rocket and Space Corporation Energia said on Monday; Kazinform refers to China Daily.
Four Soyuz-TMA space capsules and six Progress cargo ships are scheduled to be launched to the International Space Station (ISS) this year, the company said, adding that experiments on a new series of Soyuz-TMA manned spaceships will begin in 2010.
The manufacturer said it will complete the initial draft of the "Prospective Piloted Transport System," a project to develop a new-generation manned spacecraft, this year. The new capsule, which will be able to carry four to six astronauts, is expected to blast off from the Vostochny launching pad in Russia's Amur region.
Russia is also scheduled to launch a MIM1 experiment module to the ISS this year; Kazinform cites China Daily.
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