The Baikonur cosmodrome is getting ready for the last start of a Soyuz-FG launch vehicle with Ukrainian parts, Russian state space agency Roscosmos announced on Friday.
"Baikonur Cosmodrome has begun preparing equipment … of the launch system for the last start of the Soyuz-FG rocket with Ukrainian components in the launch vehicle's steering system", the agency's press service said.
The launch of the rocket carrying a Soyuz-MS15 spacecraft with the next crew for the International Space Station is scheduled on 25 September.
The launch will be the last ever for Soyuz-FG rockets, which served for almost 18 years, lifting objects into Earth's orbit.
Starting next year, cosmonauts will be using Soyuz-2.1a rockets. It has modern digital systems installed and all of its components are made in Russia.
