VIDEO: How the spacecraft flies unmanned to return the Soyuz MS-22 crew

The Soyuz-2.1a rocket has been launched from the Baikonur spaceport, which will carry the Soyuz MS-23 spacecraft into low Earth orbit. This information was reported by РИА Новости.

The spacecraft is flying in an unmanned mode to bring back the crew of Soyuz MS-22, which consists of Russian cosmonauts Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitry Petelin, as well as NASA astronaut Frank Rubio. The crew is set to spend over 370 days in station and will set a new record.

The Soyuz MS-23 will deliver 429 kg of additional cargo to the space station, including medical supplies, materials for station maintenance and habitation, as well as equipment for scientific experiments, linens, and food supply containers.

Immediately after docking, the cosmonauts will begin preparing the new vehicle for return. The spacecraft will remain in orbit for 215 days and is scheduled to return on September 27, 2023.