Roscosmos Weekly (28 nov. 2025)
Roscosmos Weekly: November 28, 2025 - Summary by Frederic Eger - Buckle up, space enthusiasts—Roscosmos drops another pulse-pounding weekly digest, spotlighting triumphs that keep the cosmos within Russia's iron grip. Kicking off with the Soyuz MS-28's flawless ballet to the ISS, this crew swap isn't just routine; it's a masterclass in precision engineering amid geopolitical chess.?? Soyuz MS-28: Crew Delivery Triumph - Launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome on November 27 (US Thanksgiving, no less), Soyuz MS-28 rocketed NASA astronaut Christopher Williams, Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov, and Sergey Mikayev skyward at 09:27 UTC. Docking hit the Rassvet module just three hours later at 12:38 UTC—hooks locked, leak checks passed, hatches swung open for Expedition 74's kickoff. These trailblazers, embarking on an eight-month odyssey, overlap with outgoing commander Sergey Riabkov, Johnny Kim, and Alexei Zubritsky for a seamless handover before Soyuz MS-27 undocks December 8. Baikonur's pad took a hit from launch fury, but the bird soared unscathed—Roscosmos style: unflappable.?? Angara-1.2: Plesetsk Power Play - Shifting north, Angara-1.2 thundered from Plesetsk Cosmodrome, flexing Russia's heavy-lift independence. This workhorse rocket, born from decades of post-Soviet grit, nailed its payload deployment, underscoring Moscow's pivot from leased Kazakh soil. No passengers, pure orbital muscle—payload specifics classified, but the message rings clear: Roscosmos builds its own path to the stars.? Elektro-L No.5: Proton Primed - Rounding out the trio, Proton-M readies for Elektro-L No.5, Russia's geostationary weather sentinel. Comprehensive system tests at Baikonur verify boosters, upper stages, and fairing integrity—zero tolerances in the unforgiving void. This bird promises hyper-local forecasts, disaster tracking, and dual-use intel, bolstering Roscosmos' Earth-observing fleet amid climate chaos and strategic stares. Launch window tightens; expect liftoff soon, Proton's thunder echoing Soviet legacies.? Roscosmos isn't chasing headlines—they're scripting the space race's next chapter, blending reliables like Soyuz with innovators like Angara.
Episodes
2025-49: Roscosmos Weekly (5 dec. 2025)
2025-49: Roscosmos Weekly (5 dec. 2025)
Roscosmos Weekly (5 Dec. 2026): A Comet’s Trail Through December: The first week of December swept through Russia’s space sector like a comet — swift, luminous, trailing sparks of human ambition across the winter firmament. Roscosmos’s digest captures not merely events, but the quiet cadence of a program that balances heritage with horizon. At the National Space Center named for Valentina Tereshkova — the first woman to pierce the heavens — Volunteer Day unfolded as both tribute and renewal. Amid exhibits of her Vostok-6 capsule, volunteers from across the nation gathered, their hands tending archives and simulators. It was a ritual of continuity: the legacy of 1963, when Tereshkova orbited alone for three days, now entrusted to the next generation of stewards. Far across the steppe at Baikonur, preparations intensified for the Proton-M heavy-lift vehicle’s ascent. Technicians swarmed the venerable rocket, loading its payload for a mission that will extend Russia’s reach into geostationary orbit. Baikonur, with its windswept pads and echoing hangars, remains the beating heart of launch culture — a place where metal meets myth under Kazakh skies. Orbit offered its own farewells. The cosmonauts of the 73rd long-duration expedition, having logged months aboard the International Space Station, prepared their descent. Their Soyuz craft, soon to arc back to Earth, carries data from microgravity experiments and station upgrades — testaments to the fragile partnership sustaining humanity’s outpost 400 kilometers above. In a nod to the future, Roscosmos announced cosmonaut Andrei Fedyayev’s assignment to the prime crew of Crew-12. A veteran of multiple flights, Fedyayev’s inclusion signals the blend of experience and precision required for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program rotations — a bridge between Russian reliability and American innovation. Finally, from the laboratories of the Space Research Institute, Moscow State University, and the Higher School of Economics came a revelation of cosmic intimacy. Scientists unveiled infrared images of the solar system as viewed from beyond its heliopause — a ghostly family portrait in heat signatures, where planets glow like embers in the interstellar dark. Voyager’s distant gaze, reimagined, reminds us: our system is but a fleeting cluster in the void. This week, then, was no mere bulletin. It was a comet’s passage — illuminating volunteer hands, thundering rockets, orbiting souls, crewed destinies, and the infrared whisper of home from the edge of night.2025-50: Roscosmos Weekly (12 dec. 2025)
2025-50: Roscosmos Weekly (12 dec. 2025)
Roscosmos?Weekly (12 dec. ?2025) Horizons?in?Transition: This week, Russia’s space odyssey felt both nostalgic and forward?leaning — an orchestration of endings and beginnings that framed the rhythm of December for Roscosmos and its international partners. The return of Soyuz?MS?27 from orbit marked the emotional centerpiece: cosmonauts Sergei?Ryzhikov and?Alexey?Zubritsky, together with NASA astronaut?Jonathan?Kim, touched down safely on the frosted steppe of Kazakhstan after 186?days aboard the International Space Station. Their mission — focused on spacecraft maintenance, biological experiments, and emergency operations — concluded under a pale winter sun, evoking the quiet heroism that has defined ISS cooperation for nearly a quarter?century. Even as one chapter closed, engines elsewhere were already roaring to life. At?Baikonur, the Proton?M heavy?lift vehicle stood poised on the historic pad?200/39, bearing the Electro?L meteorological satellite. The project, central to Russia’s high?orbit weather?monitoring network, will provide continuous observation of the Earth’s eastern hemisphere. For Baikonur’s engineers, this campaign is both routine and ritual — a precise choreography performed against the desert silence. In Samara, attention turned to a different pulse of orbit: the Aist?2T remote?sensing satellites entered final pre?launch preparation. Compact yet highly capable, these spacecraft carry advanced synthetic?aperture radar designed to map terrain and infrastructure with exceptional resolution. Their deployment will reinforce Russia’s growing constellation for civilian and environmental monitoring — satellites that see not only the clouds but the shifts in the planet’s heartbeat. Far to the east, near the forests of Amur Oblast, a milestone decades in the making quietly became operational. At the Vostochny?Cosmodrome, the new launch complex for Angara vehicles was officially commissioned. The installation, a symbol of Russia’s intent to decentralize launches from Kazakhstan and move deeper into its own territory, represents both national ambition and industrial renewal. The pad’s completion reaffirms the continuity of Russia’s space narrative — from?Gagarin’s first orbit to the new generation of eco?propellants and modular rockets. Thus, this week’s Roscosmos?Weekly breathes with a single motif: transition. Scholars may call it logistics; engineers, progress. Yet in its cadence of arrivals and departures, it remains a meditation on motion — the endless attempt to steady human purpose in the vacuum of the unknown.2025-48: Roscosmos Weekly (28 nov. 2025)
2025-48: Roscosmos Weekly (28 nov. 2025)
Roscosmos Weekly: November 28, 2025 brings you the latest updates from the heart of Russia's space endeavors. In this thrilling episode, we dive into the flawless Soyuz MS-28 mission, showcasing the precision engineering that defines Roscosmos. Witness the seamless crew swap at the ISS and the powerful launch of Angara-1.2 from Plesetsk, marking a pivotal moment in Russia's heavy-lift capabilities. We also explore the upcoming Elektro-L No.5, a vital asset for weather forecasting and disaster tracking. Join us as we unravel the triumphs and challenges faced by Roscosmos, and discover how they are scripting the next chapter in the space race. Don't miss out on this exciting journey through the cosmos!2025-46: Roscosmos Weekly (14 nov. 2025)
2025-46: Roscosmos Weekly (14 nov. 2025)
Roscosmos Weekly (November 14, 2025) showcases the thrilling resurgence of Russia's space program, blending Soviet grit with modern ambition. In this episode, we explore the Soyuz MS-28 crew's preparations for their ISS mission, highlighting the enduring collaboration between US and Russian astronauts. We also delve into the advancements of the Soyuz-5 rocket, a testament to the Kazakhstan-Russia partnership aimed at challenging SpaceX's dominance. Discover the significance of the Electro-L No. 5 satellite, which will enhance weather tracking and disaster response. Finally, we unveil the groundbreaking RD-0177M engine, a methane-powered innovation that promises to revolutionize reusable rocket technology. Join us as we witness how Roscosmos is not just reclaiming its place in space but igniting a future filled with possibilities!2025-45: Roscosmos Weekly (7 nov. 2025)
2025-45: Roscosmos Weekly (7 nov. 2025)
Roscosmos Weekly (7 nov. 2025) Roscosmos Weekly (November 7, 2025) brings you the latest updates from the heart of Russia's space endeavors, highlighting the exciting countdowns at Baikonur and the deepening collaboration with China. This episode explores the joint satellite navigation efforts merging GLONASS with BeiDou, a strategic move to counter Western GPS dominance. We also delve into insights from Dmitry Bakanov on Roscosmos's strategies for self-reliance and innovation, including plans for lunar bases and Mars probes. The spotlight shines on the Soyuz MS-28 crew preparing for their ISS mission, showcasing the enduring partnership between US and Russian astronauts. Additionally, we discuss the Proton-M's milestone flight and the new Meteor-M probe's role in disaster response. Join us as we witness how Roscosmos is blending heritage with innovation, paving the way for a bright future in space exploration!2025-44: Roscosmos Weekly (31 oct. 2025)
2025-44: Roscosmos Weekly (31 oct. 2025)
Roscosmos Weekly brings you the latest and most significant developments in Russia's space industry. This week, we highlight the confirmation of a fully reusable launch vehicle, a game-changer for cost-efficiency and sustainability in space missions. Additionally, cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Alexey Zubritskiy completed an impressive seven-hour spacewalk, showcasing their skills and endurance in maintaining the International Space Station (ISS). The crews of ISS Expedition 74 also underwent rigorous examination training to ensure mission safety and readiness. Furthermore, the Keldysh Center has made headlines with the development of two groundbreaking plasma engines, marking a leap in propulsion technology. Join us as we explore these advancements and their implications for the future of space exploration!Roscosmos Weekly (10 oct. 2025): Roscosmos Weekly (RW) (10 oct. 2025)
Roscosmos Weekly (10 oct. 2025): Roscosmos Weekly (RW) (10 oct. 2025)
Roscosmos Weekly (RW) (10 oct. 2025) Roscosmos and Skolkovo signed a cooperation agreement, The State Corporation and VEB.RF have created a joint project office to attract private investment, Roscosmos cosmonauts are preparing for extravehicular activities, The crews of the 74th expedition to the ISS successfully passed the exam on manual redocking of the ship to the station, For the first time in history, the Russian telescope examined the heart of our Galaxy in detail in X-rays, RKS deployed heliogeophysical complexes on satellites of the Meteor-M, Ionosphere-M, Elektro-L and Arktika-M series2025-33: Roscosmos Weekly (15 August 2025)
2025-33: Roscosmos Weekly (15 August 2025)
Roscosmos Weekly (15 Aug. 2025): Cosmonaut Kirill Peskov returns to Earth, and Baikonur prepares to launch a biological satellite. The Condor FK-2 spacecraft has captured over 500 monthly images, and Russian astronauts complete a research program on the ISS.2025-32: Roscosmos Weekly (8 August 2025)
2025-32: Roscosmos Weekly (8 August 2025)
Roscosmos Weekly (8 August 2025): Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov prepare for landing, "Bion-M" No2 prepares for a biological satellite, "Progress MS-32" undergoes tests, and "Spectrum-P" continues to make discoveries, including the return of cosmonaut Kirill Peskov to Earth.: Roscosmos Weekly (25 July 2025)
: Roscosmos Weekly (25 July 2025)
Roscosmos Weekly (25 July 2025): The space week concludes with the launch of Ionosphere-M satellites from the Eastern Cosmodrome, preparation of the Bion-M satellite for biological experiments in space, and pre-trial training of Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Platonov with the crew team Cred-11. The news of Roscosmos is followed by a journalist who works in the area, loves space, and wants to know the latest developments.2025-26: Roscosmos Weekly (4 July 2025)
2025-26: Roscosmos Weekly (4 July 2025)
Roscosmos launched a carrier rocket with a new cargo ship, Progress MS-29, on July 3, 2025. The ship, carrying 2,625 kg of cargo, docked with the ISS on July 6. In Q3 2025, 18 small-satellite-format cruisers will be launched.2025-26: Roscosmos Weekly (27 June 2025)
2025-26: Roscosmos Weekly (27 June 2025)
Roscosmos head Dmitry Bakanov confirmed Russia's commitment to peaceful space exploration at the UN Committee on Space session. The Progress MS-31 cargo ship is preparing for take-off at Baikonur, and cosmonauts are undergoing evacuation training in the Center for the Preparation of Astronauts. The launch of the rocket is scheduled for July 3.
2025-23: Roscosmos Weekly (6 June 2025)
2025-23: Roscosmos Weekly (6 June 2025)
The National Space Project, under President Putin's leadership, includes eight areas, including space science, manned cosmonautics, communications, navigation, and time development. Roscosmos and Khrunichev Center have signed contracts for the production of upgraded Angara-A5M missiles, and Roscosmos is preparing Ionosphere-M satellites at Vostochny cosmodrome. The project also includes manned spacecraft launch.2026-6: Roscosmos Weekly (6 Feb. 2026)
2026-6: Roscosmos Weekly (6 Feb. 2026)
Roscosmos Weekly (6 Feb. 2026) Roscosmos Weekly (6 Feb. 2026): Russia’s Space Warriors Get Ready: From Arctic Survival to Dragon Docking - by Frederic Eger - This week, Russia’s space program turned up the heat, even with the Arctic cold biting at their heels. Roscosmos launched a new search for cosmonauts, hunting across the country for the next group bold enough to stare down the emptiness of space. Even as talk swirls about Western partners stepping back from the ISS by 2028, and the usual political jostling ramps up, Moscow’s not slowing down. They want to keep their spot in orbit—no matter who else decides to leave. Up north at Plesetsk, a Soyuz-2.1b rocket roared off the pad, carrying what everyone assumes are top-secret payloads. No one’s talking about what’s onboard, but when rockets fly from Plesetsk, most folks figure they’re watching the skies over the Arctic—especially with NATO sniffing around up there. The Soyuz, still the backbone of Russia’s launch fleet, keeps proving it can handle the cold and the pressure, whether for commercial customers or military eyes. Meanwhile, cosmonaut trainees got tossed into the deep end—Siberian style. Imagine slogging through blizzards, building shelters from scratch, sharing whatever heat you can scrape together, all just to prove you can take whatever space throws at you. There’s nothing glamorous about this training. It’s raw, hard, and necessary. This is how Roscosmos forges people tough enough for the black—just like the legends from Soyuz and Mir days. And then there’s the headline moment: Andrei Fedyaev, a Soyuz veteran, gearing up for his final run to SpaceX’s Crew Dragon. This is Russia and the U.S. working together, even when politics say otherwise. Fedyaev isn’t jumping ship—he’s making the most of a rare chance, training with NASA, suiting up, running through American protocols. It’s part rivalry, part reluctant partnership, and it keeps the space station crew multinational in a world that keeps splitting apart. All of it says one thing: Russia’s space program isn’t backing down. They’re recruiting, launching, grinding through Siberian winters, and shaking hands with old rivals. As U.S.-Russia cooperation wobbles—Artemis on one side, Luna dreams on the other—Roscosmos is betting that grit and flexibility will keep them in the game. Can Russia turn winter’s bite into the next giant leap? If you listen to Moscow, the answer’s yes—they plan to turn every blizzard into a booster.More Like this
