Speaking at a broad session of the Roskosmos (Russia's equivalent of NASA) Board, Anatoly Perminov, head of Russia's Federal Space Agency, pointed out that "we are at the threshold of a major event of vital importance - a launch of a manned spacecraft to the ISS. The Russian side has been meeting its commitments under the ISS program in full measure, and we do not expect any changes or amendments to our plans in the run up to the launch".
On his part, Alexander Kirillin, chief designer of the Progress spacecraft company, told the Board that his firm had completed work on production of the Soyuz launch vehicle and dispatched it to the Baikonur space center on March 1. Preparations for the launch have been under way there since March 9. The carrier rocket will be ready for launch on April 12, traditionally celebrated in Russia as the Astronautics Day.
Mission Control deputy head Valery Udaloi told the Board that "the Mission Control is ready to carry out all work required to ensure a successful launch of the manned spacecraft."
Head of the Gagarin Space Training Center Vasily Tsybliyev pointed out that both the main and backup crews of the spacecraft have undergone a complete training program and qualified as fully prepared for the mission. "On April 4, the Soyuz TMA-6 will undergo the required testing session at the Baikonur space center, with the crew and the Gagarin Space Training Center's support group leaving for Baikonur on April 9 to engage in the necessary pre-mission activities," he added.
Vladimir Popov, head of the Federal Search and Rescue Service, told the Board that appropriate personnel and technical resources of the country's Air Force and Navy have been duly mobilized and are ready to conduct the necessary search and rescue operations. "On the launch day, we plan to engage over 30 aircraft - planes and helicopters - to cover the entire launch area of the manned spacecraft," he pointed out.
The ISS 11th resident crew led by Sergei Krikalev is to carry out 39 experiments in orbit, four of which have never been done before. In addition, the astronauts will have to streamline the procedures required for smooth hosting and unloading of the Progress cargo spacecraft, coordination with the US Space Shuttle program, and safe performance of the planned space walk activities.
