MOSCOW. Nov 20 (Interfax) - Russia's new reusable spacecraft that today is referred to as Federatsiya will carry another name, head of Russia's State Space Corporation Roscosmos Dmitry Rogozin said at a press conference in Moscow.
"We will also get a new spacecraft. The research and development project is called Federatsiya. But in reality the spacecraft will have a different name. Now we are holding a so-called internal contest to choose a name for this spaceship," Rogozin said.
"Of course, it will be far more spacious. It will be reusable and will have the necessary protection that will allow it to operate outside the pale of our planet," he said.
A new launch vehicle with a modernized spacecraft and also a new launch vehicle and a new spacecraft will be used for long-distance flights, he said.
The Soyuz MS spacecraft, "which has shown itself at its best in its current modification", may be upgraded, Rogozin said.
"If we look at history, the founders of this technology conceived it as a spacecraft for flights to the Moon. But certainly in order to be able to use it in the lunar program, it needs to be very seriously modernized. It would receive necessary protection that will keep it safe from radiation," he said.
"Consequently, we are certainly thinking of whether it will be possible to continue the Soyuz mission for certain flights, certain manned programs: whether it will be the Soyuz MS or the Soyuz Moon, etc.," Rogozin said.