KUBINKA (Moscow region). Aug 15 (Interfax) - The first launch of Russia's Oryol new-generation spacecraft to the Russian space station is expected to take place from the Vostochny Cosmodrome in 2028, Russian space station chief designer Vladimir Kozhevnikov told Interfax on the sidelines of the Army 2023 Forum.
"The prospective spacecraft's first flight will include its docking to the [Russian space] station. It will be an unmanned, test flight. The deployment of the station is due to start in 2028, and the spacecraft will fly to it," Kozhevnikov said.
The Oryol will blast off from the Vostochny Cosmodrome, he said. Meanwhile, launches of Progress resupply ships bound for the Russian space station will be conducted from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, but "will subsequently be moved to Vostochny," he said.