Super-Soyuz 

Oh, man!
Let me begin by pointing out that RKK Energiya has been known to talk bigger than it gets to produce, having boasted that given the chance it could have Buran back up and running with no problem, and could build a manned Mars craft like right now for spare change. Of course, this news is coming from Rosaviakosmos (RSA) rather than Energia.
Anyway, Russia is apparently developing a new manned spacecraft twice as large as the Soyuz and capable of carrying six people, and which would be the nation's first reusable (or at least reused) spacecraft.
The article does not say what the target completion date for the new spacecraft is.
If they can do it, and if they can do it relatively soon, it will make a huge impact on spaceflight for the next 10 years, allowing the originally intended larger crews for ISS.

It's worth noting, though, that RSA head Yuri Koptev took the opportunity of the announcement to again bash NASA's exploration initiative:
"There is no explanation whatsoever where the money needed to implement the declared program would come from," Koptev said as he announced that Russia was beginning work on a new spacecraft with no idea where the money needed to implement the declared program would come from.

:: :: 10:39 :: David :: [permalink] ::