MOSCOW. Jan 29 (Interfax-AVN) - Specialists have designed a two-orbit method for transporting crews to the International Space Station (ISS), according to the Energia Corporation's General Designer of Manned Space Systems and Complexes, Yevgeny Mikrin.
"A two-orbit, three-hour route to the International Space Station has been designed on the basis of the capabilities of the Soyuz MS spaceship," Mikrin said at the 43rd Korolyov Academic Readings.
A six-hour route was earlier designed for manned spaceships; its implementation cut travel time for crews and cargo by over 87%, he said.
The three-hour trip is now being tested on Progress resupply ships.
"The three-hour trip was tested by the Progress MS-09 in July 2018," Mikrin said.
He did not say when crews will start making three-hour journeys to the ISS.