🚀 Big news from space enthusiasts! Russia had to call off the launch of its Angara A5 rocket from the Vostochny Cosmodrome just minutes before liftoff on Tuesday.
According to loudspeakers at the launch pad, the test launch—meant to be the first for this mighty rocket at Russia's new space hub—is postponed by at least 24 hours due to a technical hiccup. 🛠️
Yuri Borisov, the Russian Space chief, explained that the pressurizing system of the oxidizer tank wasn’t cooperating, leading to the delay. But don’t worry, the team is on it!
The Angara A5 is a game-changer, marking the first heavy booster rocket designed in Russia since the Soviet Union days. It's set to carry modules for Russia’s upcoming space station and satellites for the GLONASS navigation system. 🌌
Thanks to its spot near the equator, Vostochny allows the Angara A5 to deliver heavier payloads to orbit compared to the older Plesetsk facility, which has already seen three successful test launches.
On a brighter note, last month saw Russia’s Soyuz spacecraft successfully dock with the International Space Station, carrying a crew of three. Although that launch faced a minor glitch too, the mission wrapped up smoothly last week. 🛰️✨
Stay tuned for updates as Russia prepares to retry the Angara A5 launch and keep reaching for the stars! 🌟
