Russia has successfully launched its Angara-A5 rocket from the Vostochny Cosmodrome, marking a major milestone after two days of technical delays. The launch, delayed earlier this week due to engine control issues, finally blasted off Thursday, showcasing Russia’s ambitions in the post-Soviet space race. 🌍
The heavy-lift rocket hit speeds exceeding 25,000 km/h minutes after liftoff, deploying a test payload into orbit. Roscosmos, Russia’s space agency, confirmed all systems operated normally. The Angara-A5 is designed to reduce reliance on the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, a Soviet-era facility Russia still rents.
Vostochny, nestled in Russia’s Far East, is gaining prominence as a hub for eco-friendlier space tech. Roscosmos hailed the Angara as a greener alternative to the aging Proton M rockets, which have been in use since the 1960s. 🛰️
First tested in 2014, the Angara project represents Russia’s push for self-sufficient space access. Thursday’s launch kicks off flight tests for the Amur space complex, signaling a new phase in Russia’s cosmic journey. “This is just the beginning,” the mission seems to say.
