In case specialists manage to eliminate all the failures in Soyuz MS-02 spacecraft and conduct additional testing necessary the launch can possibly take place within the period from October 12 to October 20, if not – it is planned to send Soyuz MS-03 to the ISS early November.
On Wednesday the spokesman reported that it was mechanical damage in the process of nose fairing installation leading to the short circuit in spacecraft lines that caused the delay of the launch.
“If we manage to fix MS-02 and it proves to be reliable and complying with the safety requirements, the launch will take place within the time period from October 12 to October 20, that’s what the ballistics specialists say. If state commission makes up the mind not to risk Soyuz MS-03 will be launched instead of MS-02 approximately on November 01. This spacecraft is currently being prepared for the launch at Baikonur launchsite”.
The spokesman specified that final launch schedule for 2016 can be approved not until October 02.
“If the launch date is November 01, the crew may possibly have to stay onboard the ISS longer. Progress MS-04 cargo vehicle planned to be launched on October 20 will definitely shifted to the later date. But anyway all the launches scheduled for 2016 including the launch of the ISS 50/51 mission crew will definitely take place this year. Bu in this case the next Soyuz will be launched in December instead of November 16.”