Russia’s Angara-A5 Rocket Blasts Off Into Space From Far East Cosmodrome After Two Failed Launches

On April 11, Russia conducted a test launch of its Angara-A5 space rocket from the Vostochny Cosmodrome in the Far East. It has successfully put a test load in low orbit as part of an effort to develop a new launch vehicle after the Soviet era.

Successful Space Launch

On April 9 and 10, the two launches of the Angara-A5 rocket were aborted at the last minute for different reasons. The first was due to problems with the oxidizer tank in the vehicle's central power unit, while a failure in the engine caused the second one to start the control system.

To the relief of Russian space officials, they succeeded for the third time on Thursday, just hours before the country celebrates Cosmonaut Day. This event marks the 63rd anniversary of the Soviet Union's Yuri Gagarin becoming the first man in outer space.

As the rocket blasted off into space, it reached more than 15,500 miles (25,000 kilometers) per hour in minutes. Russia's space agency said the missile usually worked as the fuel tanks detached.

The second stage, Orion, separated from the first stage 12 minutes into the mission. It was followed by the third stage, which reached its target geosynchronous Earth orbit, where it released its test load. Roscosmos further described that the launch signaled the beginning of flight design tests of the Amur Oblast space rocket complex with Angara heavy-class launch vehicles on Vostochny.

The heavy-lift rocket has been flown on four occasions. Its first three launches all originated from Russia's Plesetsk Cosmodrome. The first two Angara-A5 test flights were successful: one conducted in December 2014 and another in 2020. Meanwhile, the other partial test that took place in 2021 failed.

Post-Cold War Mission

Angara-A5 is Russia's first post-Cold War space rocket, designed to underline the nation's ambition to be a major space power. It was also designed to highlight the growing importance of Vostochny, located in the forests of the Amur region of Russia's Far East. The vehicle is a 178.81-foot (54.5-meter) three-stage rocket with a mass of about 773 tonnes. It can carry about 24.5 tonnes of load into space.

The Russian defense ministry is also involved in the project, which uses only Russian components and less environmentally damaging fuel. It also aims to replace the Proton-M as Russia's heavy-lift rocket, which has operated since the mid-1960s. Angara-A5 will replace Proton-M since the latter used toxic fuel components.

The Angara project began as a Russian-made launch vehicle a few years after the 1991 break-up of the Soviet Union. It reflects the nation's desire to achieve space autonomy since it is currently renting the Baikonur Cosmodrome from Kazakhstan, with its lease expiring in 2050. The rocket is also anticipated to play an essential role in delivering modules for Russia's upcoming space stations, with the International Space Station (ISS) set to retire in 2030.

Roscosmos described the creation of the Angara space rocket complex (KRK) as a task of particular national importance. The commissioning of the spacecraft is expected to enable Russia to launch rockets of all types from its territory and allow Russia independent guarantees of access to space. It supports the goal of Russia to modernize its space program and keep pace with the rest of the world.