On September 4, 10:39, Moscow time, Soyuz TMA-18M manned spacecraft successfully docked with the ISS. Soyuz TMA-18M approached Poisk small research module of Russian ISS segment in automatic mode under Soyuz crew, ISS crew commander and TsENKI specialists control.

Roscosmos launching crews successfully launched Soyuz TMA-18M spacecraft from #1 launchpad of Baikonur spaceport (Gagarin launch) on September 2, 07.37, Moscow time. It was the 500th launch accomplished from Gagarin launchpad. The spacecraft was launched by Soyuz-FG booster.

For safety reasons new ISS crew will approach and dock with station in accordance with the traditional 2-days scheme, - Roscosmos reported.

ISS reboost maneuver that has been cancelled earlier will take place on August 31, - Mission control Centre representative reported.

Operations on Soyuz TMA-16M manned spacecraft redocking from Poisk small research module to Zvezda service module of Russian ISS segment are scheduled for August 28 and will be accomplished in the manual mode, - Mission Control Centre reports.

On August 20 the cosmonauts raised flags of the countries taking part in Soyuz TMA-18M spacecraft launch.

According to Roscosmos both main and back-up crew of new ISS mission arrived in Baikonur.

Russian space industry specialists unloaded the vehicle and installed it on the special facility of #254 integration building at Baikonur spaceport.

Interdepartmental Commission approved main and back-up crews of new ISS mission for the flight, - GCTC spokesman reported.

Roscosmos cosmonauts Gennady Padalka and Mikhail Korniyenko will perform a spacewalk scheduled for August. The cosmonauts will polish several windows of Zvezda service module from the outside, - Mission Control Centre representative reported. Earlier the date extravehicular activities was shofted several times because of Proton M-27M accident since the vehicle was to deliver to the station equipment necessary for the spacewalk.