Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin views Sespel’s welding system at the Progress Rocket Space Centre in Samara

The system comprises three aluminium alloy friction stir welding (FSW) machines used to weld tank structures for the Soyuz-5 launch vehicle. This unique system has no equivalents and can weld material up to 30 mm thick with automated weld quality control. The machines and tooling weigh more than 1,500 tonnes in total. Sespel’s team carried out all engineering development and manufacture of the machines and tooling.

The Progress Rocket Space Centre holds a leading position among Russian and international companies in the development, production and operation of medium-lift launch vehicles.

Cheboksary Enterprise Sespel CJSC is a major Russian manufacturer with a dedicated division producing heavy machining centres and welding systems. These advanced welding systems represent a new generation of equipment using modern technologies and innovative solutions. They deliver precise, high-quality welding for industrial manufacturing, construction and other sectors where weld quality is essential.