According to Roscosmos both main and back-up crew of new ISS mission arrived in Baikonur.
“Soyuz TMA-18M main crew comprising Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Volkov, ESA astronaut Andreas Mogensen and Kazakh cosmonaut Aidyn Aimbetov and their back-up members Oleg Skripochka and Sergey Prokopiev (Roscosmos) and Thomas Pesquet (ESA) arrived in Baikonur.
Future ISS mission participants went to Test and training complex where they are going to prepare for the flight for next two weeks. On August 19 the crews will have first Soyuz TMA-18M spacecraft fit check.
“We have a very busy schedule. Apart from Soyuz fit check we will work with onboard documentation and met with RSC Energia specialists, discuss time schedule from launch to the docking, practice manual modes, study the schedule of our first days onboard the station, – said Soyuz TMA-18M spacecraft commander Sergey Volkov.
The launch of Soyuz TMA-18M is planned for September 2, 07.32, Moscow time.
Traditional flag-raising ceremony is planned for August 20. The crew will also study Soyuz TMA-18M onboard documentation, flight program and ballistics and pass trainings on Soyuz manual docking.
Besides on August 19 Technical Authorities meeting made a decision on Soyuz TMA-18M spacecraft filling with propellant components and pressurized gases.