Soyuz MS

Soyuz MS
Союз МС

Soyuz MS-20 approaching the ISS
Manufacturer	Energia
Country of origin	Russia
Operator	Roscosmos
Specifications
Spacecraft type	Human spaceflight
Launch mass	7,290 kg (16,070 lb)
Payload capacity	Launch: Crew + 170 kg (370 lb) Landing: Crew + 60 kg (130 lb) Disposal: 170 kg (370 lb)
Crew capacity	3
Volume	Total: 10 m3 (350 cu ft) Descent module: 4 m3 (140 cu ft) Orbital module: 6 m3 (210 cu ft)
Batteries	755 Ah
Regime	Low Earth orbit
Design life	200 days when docked to the International Space Station (ISS)
Dimensions
Solar array span	10.7 m (35 ft)
Width	2.72 m (8 ft 11 in)
Production
Status	Active
On order	3
Built	26
Launched	26 (as of 11 September 2024)
Operational	1 (MS-26)
Retired	24
Failed	1 (MS-10)
Maiden launch	7 July 2016 (MS-01)
Last launch	Active
Related spacecraft
Derived from	Soyuz TMA-M
Flown with	Soyuz FG (2016–2019) Soyuz 2.1a (2020–)
← Soyuz TMA-M Orel →

The Soyuz MS (Russian: Союз МС; GRAU: 11F732A48) is the latest version of the Russian Soyuz spacecraft series, first launched in 2016. The "MS" stands for "modernized systems," reflecting upgrades primarily focused on the communications and navigation subsystems. An evolution of the Soyuz TMA-M spacecraft, the Soyuz MS features minimal external changes, mainly in the placement of antennas, sensors, and thrusters. It is used by Roscosmos for human spaceflight missions.

Soyuz MS-01 conducted its maiden flight on 7 July 2016, heading to the International Space Station (ISS). The mission included a two-day checkout phase to validate the spacecraft’s new design before docking with the ISS on 9 July 2016. After remaining docked to the ISS for 113 days, the crew of MS-01 returned to Earth on 30 October 2016, safely landing on the Kazakh Steppe.

The spacecraft has experienced one in-flight abort during the Soyuz MS-10 mission. Shortly after the four boosters of its Soyuz FG carrier rocket separated, one collided with its core stage. The spacecraft’s onboard computer activated the launch escape system, which performed flawlessly, quickly pulling the reentry and orbital modules away from the failing rocket. Once at a safe distance, the system jettisoned the reentry module, allowing it to descend to the ground under parachutes. The crew landed unharmed.