Roscosmos schedules upcoming testing milestones for its long-delayed PTK NP crewed spacecraft ahead of a planned 2028 debut.
Russia’s state-backed space corporation, Roscosmos, continues development on its long-delayed next-generation crewed spacecraft, now referred to as PTK NP rather than Eagle under chief executive Dmitry Bakanov.
Russia’s state-backed space corporation, Roscosmos, continues development on its long-delayed next-generation crewed spacecraft, now referred to as PTK NP rather than Eagle under chief executive Dmitry Bakanov. After nearly 20 years of work following Europe’s decision not to pursue a joint crewed spacecraft project, Roscosmos plans upcoming testing milestones for the reusable manned transport spacecraft.
According to a published Interfax report, parachute drops and testing in the Far East are scheduled for the fall, followed later this year by emergency rescue mode tests during a launch pad emergency. In 2027, the spacecraft is slated to undergo tests in the zone of maximum dynamic pressures.
Russian space officials maintain an aspirational debut crewed launch window of 2028 or 2029, which will likely utilize the Angara A5M rocket. Designed to ultimately supplant the Soyuz spacecraft, the vehicle is intended to transport cosmonauts into low-Earth orbit and possess the versatility to fly humans to the Moon.
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Original publication: 30 September 2026 22:18
