Today, at the Baikonur cosmodrome, in front of the "Cosmonaut" Hotel, a ceremony was held to raise the flags of countries, participating in the "Soyuz MS-12" international launch to the International Space Station. The traditional event, which symbolizes the official start of the final stage of crew preparation for a launch, was attended by the main and backup crews of the 59 / 60th long expedition to the ISS. Roskosmos cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin and Alexander Skvortsov raised the Russian flag, NASA astronauts Nick Hague and Christina Koch - the USA flag, ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano and NASA astronaut Andrew Morgan - the flag of Kazakhstan.

The final stage of preparation of the "Soyuz MS-12" spacecraft for the flight to the International Space Station (ISS) began at the Baikonur cosmodrome. In accordance with the training schedule, the cosmonauts and astronauts tried the flight suits, tested them for tightness, and took seats in their ship. The main crew of the ISS-59/60 includes Roskosmos cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin and NASA astronauts Nick Hague and Christina Koch. Their backups are Roskosmos cosmonaut Alexander Skvortsov, ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano and NASA astronaut Andrew Morgan. The launch of the "Soyuz-FG" carrier rocket with "Soyuz MS-12" spacecraft to the International Space Station is scheduled for March 14, 2019 from the Baikonur cosmodrome.

On February 26, 2019, the main and backup crews of the "Soyuz MS-12" spacecraft arrived at the Baikonur cosmodrome to complete preparations for the flight. Roskosmos cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin and NASA astronauts Nick Hague and Christina Koch are in the main crew of the ISS-59/60. Their backups are Roskosmos cosmonaut Alexander Skvortsov, ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano and NASA astronaut Andrew Morgan. The launch of the "Soyuz-FG" launch vehicle with "Soyuz MS-12" spacecraft is scheduled for March 14, 2019 from the Baikonur cosmodrome.

Today, on February 21, 2019, from the Baikonur cosmodrome at 19:47 (Moscow time), the launch vehicle "Soyuz-2" with the "Fregat" upper stage and the "Egyptsat-A" satellite, created in the interests of the Arab Republic of Egypt, was launched. The 'Egyptsat-A' satellite is designed to capture the earth's surface with high resolution. After the finish of the flight test program, the satellite control will be transferred to the Egyptian side.

At the Baikonur cosmodrome preparations are continuing for the launch of the "Soyuz MS-12" spacecraft. Completed checking the systems and compartments of the ship for tightness in a modernized vacuum chamber. The launch of the "Soyuz MS-12" spacecraft is scheduled for March 2019.

On February 18 at the Baikonur cosmodrome, the prelaunch preparation of a space rocket with the satellite "Egyptsat-A" began. The launch of the satellite is scheduled for Thursday, February 21, 2019, at 19:47 Moscow time. The "Egyptsat-A" satellite is designed for imaging of the Earth’s surface with high resolution and was created in the interests of the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

The "Proton-M" launch vehicle is ready for shipment to the Baikonur cosmodrome for preparation under the "Spectrum-RG" program. Dispatch of launch devices including "Proton-M" launch vehicle, the head fairing and the upper stage "DM-03" from Khrunichev Space Center to the Baikonur cosmodrome is scheduled for February 7. The "Proton-M" launch vehicle with the "DM-03" upper stage, manufactured at RSC "Energia", will be used to launch the Russian "Spectrum-RG" satellite.

Today, on December 21, the "Proton-M" space rocket was launched from the Baikonur cosmodrome with a spacecraft in the interests of the Russian Ministry of Defense. The successful launch of the spacecraft into the target orbit was provided by the "Breeze-M" upper stage. The new satellite has been accepted for control by the ground-based facilities of the Air and Space Forces of Russia. The first launch of the "Proton-M" LV with the upper stage "Breeze-M" was performed on April 7, 2001. Since then, this modification of the "Proton" rocket has been used in the 104th space launches.

On December 3, 2018, at 14:31 (Moscow time), the "Soyuz-FG" launch vehicle with the "Soyuz MS-11" spacecraft launched from launch complex № 1 (Gagarinsky start) at Baikonur cosmodrome. The docking of the ship with the station is scheduled for December 3, 2018 at 20:35 (Moscow time). Onboard the "Soyuz MS-11" spacecraft members of the ISS-58/59 long expedition:Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko, NASA astronaut Anne McClain, CSA astronaut David Saint-Jacques.

Today, on December 2, 2018, the traditional press conference of the "Soyuz MS-11" spacecraft was held at the Training Complex of GCTC at the Baikonur City. The cosmonauts and astronauts answered the journalists' questions and told about the plans of the upcoming expedition to the International Space Station (ISS), spacewalks and the super-abilities, needed in space. Earlier, the State Commission approved the crews of the ship. The Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko, astronaut of the Canadian space agency David Saint-Jacques and NASA astronaut Anne McClain have joined the main crew of "Soyuz MS-11" spacecraft. In accordance with the flight program of the International Space Station, on December 3, 2018 at 14:31 (Moscow time), the "Soyuz MS-11" spacecraft is scheduled to launch from the launch complex № 1 (Gagarinsky start) of the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The docking of the "Soyuz MS-11" with the station is planned to be carried out automatically, the docking of the ship with the station will be carried out after six hours, according to the “short” scheme, and will take place on 3 December.