Russia launches a humanoid robot at the Space Station tonight: watch live

Russia launches a Soyuz Spacecraft on a test flight to the International Space Station tonight (August 21), and you can watch the live action.

The mission is clear, but a humanoid robot called Skybot F-850 will occupy the commander's seat. Skybot and his merry-go-round are expected to take off over a Soyuz 2.1a rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 11:38 am. EDT (0:38 GMT Aug. 22). You can watch it live here at Space.com, courtesy of NASA, or directly via the space agency.

The Soyuz space shuttle usually transports astronauts to the outpost in orbit. But this theft aims to ensure that this version of the Soyuz rocket can launch people safely – a job that Russia wants to start doing next spring.

"The Soyuz 2.1a booster, equipped with a new digital flight control system and upgraded engines, replaces the Soyuz FG booster used for decades to launch crews in space," said NASA officials. written in a statement.

"The Soyuz spacecraft will have an improved motion control and navigation system, as well as an improved descent control system," they added.

That's where Skybot F-850 comes in. The robot will help collect data on the flight, officials said in the Russian space.

If all goes as planned, the Soyuz MS-14 probe will arrive at the outpost in orbit early Saturday morning (August 24), bringing in 1,450 pounds. (660 kg) of cargo to the crew members up there. The Soyuz will remain at the station for two weeks, then leave for a return to Earth on September 6, NASA officials said.

This will not be the first mission of the International Space Station for Soyuz 2.1a. The rocket has launched unprepared Russian Progress shipments to the lab in orbit, NASA officials said.

Here is a Russian video of Roscosmos leader Dmitry Rogozin about the Skybot F-850.

Mike Wall's book on the search for extraterrestrial life, "Over there"(Grand Central Publishing, 2018, illustrated by Karl Tate), is out now. Follow him on Twitter @michaeldwall. Follow us on twitter @Spacedotcom or Facebook.