Russia is poised to make a third attempt at launching its Angara-A5 space rocket on Thursday, following two consecutive days of last-minute cancellations due to technical issues. The announcement was made by Russia’s space agency head, Yuri Borisov, as reported by local news outlets, setting the new launch time for noon (0900 GMT) at the Vostochny Cosmodrome in the Amur region of Russia’s Far East.
This launch aims to demonstrate Russia’s space capabilities in the post-Soviet era and highlight the strategic importance of the Vostochny Cosmodrome. Wednesday’s attempt was called off because of complications with the engine’s start-up mechanism, a decision that came after an issue with a valve led to Tuesday’s aborted launch.
Borisov, addressing these setbacks, emphasized that identifying such problems is a natural part of test flights’ developmental phase. He suggested that the most recent issue might be related to a software error, expressing confidence that it would be resolved promptly.
The Angara-A5 launch is significant for Russia, showcasing national ambitions in space exploration under President Vladimir Putin’s leadership, who has outlined extensive plans for the country’s space program. These plans include the construction of a new Russian space station by 2027 and underline the crucial role of the Angara project in national security.
The Angara rocket, designed to transport payloads exceeding 20 tonnes into orbit, represents a key advancement in Russia’s space technology. This launch, the first to be conducted from Vostochny, benefits from the cosmodrome’s equatorial proximity, allowing the Angara-A5 to carry heavier payloads compared to launches from the Plesetsk cosmodrome, where three successful Angara tests have previously occurred.
