MOSCOW, March 27 (Xinhua) -- Russia's next-generation crewed transport spacecraft is expected to begin space flights in 2028, a senior space official said Friday.
Sergei Krikalev, deputy director general of Russia's state space corporation Roscosmos, said upcoming tests will include parachute trials using a prototype with highly simulated onboard systems, including helicopter drop tests.
The spacecraft is designed to carry cosmonauts and cargo to orbital stations and is expected to replace the Soyuz series of manned spacecraft, TASS news agency reported.
It is also part of Russia's lunar program, with the capability to remain docked at low-Earth orbit stations for up to one year and at a lunar orbital station for up to 180 days.
In autonomous flight, the orbital version can operate for up to 30 days, while the lunar version is designed for missions of up to 10 days, the report said. ■