Russia has announced specific tests for its upcoming manned spacecraft, a key development in its space program. The project aims to replace the long-used Soyuz spacecraft for sending cosmonauts to low Earth orbit or even the Moon. According to Dmitri Bakanov, the new head of Roscosmos, as reported by Ars Technica, the tests now have a clear timeline. The first stage will begin this autumn with the deployment and testing of the spacecraft's parachute system in eastern Russia. By the end of the year, emergency rescue tests at the launch site will also be carried out. In 2027, tests will occur in the so-called maximum dynamic pressure zone, or Max Q, the point during launch when the rocket faces the greatest stresses. While this may suggest an emergency evacuation test during launch, no confirmation has been made. The first crewed flight is expected in 2028 or 2029, likely using the Angara A5M rocket, which has yet to be launched. Uncertainties remain about the nature of these tests, including whether they will involve full-scale spacecraft, mock-ups, or simplified models. The project has had four different names since 2009: PPTS, PTK NP, Federation, and Orel. Bakanov appears to be reverting to the PTK NP designation. The Vostochny Cosmodrome, where the Angara rocket is based, has faced delays for years, with crewed flights originally expected as early as 2023. Structural problems have significantly slowed progress, raising doubts about the timeline set by authorities. An abort system is a safety mechanism designed to quickly move the crewed capsule away from the rocket in the event of a problem during launch or the initial ascent. This can involve an ejection tower, built-in engines in the capsule, or a combination. The goal is to place the capsule on a stable path and then trigger the descent sequence—using parachutes or retro-rockets—to move it away from danger. "Pad tests" are used to check the sensors, automation, and the system's ability to function under less-than-ideal conditions, without depending on a crew. Max Q, or maximum dynamic pressure, is the moment during a rocket’s ascent when it experiences the highest aerodynamic pressure. This typically occurs early in the flight, when the rocket is still moving through a dense atmosphere and gaining speed. At this point, the forces on the rocket's structure, thermal protection, fastenings, and mechanical connections are at their peak. This is a crucial moment for overall reliability, as structural weaknesses or uncontrolled vibrations can cause serious damage. Testing around Max Q also helps assess how emergency procedures, including possible aborts, perform under the most challenging aerodynamic conditions. The fact that the Angara A5M rocket has not yet flown adds complexity to planning the first crewed mission. A crewed flight requires a higher level of maturity and reliability, which means the rocket must undergo a flight test campaign, data analysis, and design improvements. A variant like the Angara A5M must prove its performance—payload capacity, trajectory, and stability—as well as its compatibility with a crewed capsule. "Human-rated" qualification typically involves redundancies, safety standards, and more rigorous statistical proof of reliability than for cargo missions. Until the rocket has flown, there are unknowns about the actual forces it will experience, which can delay the certification of the spacecraft and its rescue systems.