New onboard digital command and control systems have helped increase the payload of Russia's manned Soyuz TMA-01M spacecraft by 70 kg, the head of the Energia space corporation said on Tuesday.

The new equipment replaces the Argon analogue system that has been used for more than 30 years, Vitaly Lopota said.

A Soyuz with a new digital computing and telemetric system will be launched to the International Space Station on October 8.

The new onboard computer, the TsVM-101, will be tested by Russian cosmonaut Alexander Kaleri, Lopota said.

The Soyuz TMA-01M will replace the Soyuz TMA series spacecraft that have been used until now, Lopota added.

MOSCOW, September 21 (RIA Novosti)