On Wednesday, January 27, 2021, from the Sheremetyevo international airport by air to the Baikonur cosmodrome, the “Arktika-M” spacecraft, developed at the Scientific and Production Association named after S.A. Lavochkin (part of the Roscosmos State Corporation). In preparation for this launch, the device passed comprehensive tests, including comprehensive tests in a thermal vacuum chamber and comprehensive electrical tests.
The “Arktika-M” spacecraft will undergo pre-launch preparation and docking with the upper stage in the assembly and test building of the cosmodrome. The spacecraft will be launched into orbit by the Soyuz-2.1b launch vehicle (developed by the Progress RCC, part of the Roscosmos State Corporation) with the Fregat upper stage (NPO Lavochkina). The launch is scheduled for late February 2021.