Russia Successfully Launches Angara-A5 Rocket from Vostochny Cosmodrome

Russia successfully test-launched its Angara-A5 rocket from the Vostochny Cosmodrome on Thursday, marking a significant milestone after technical glitches led to mission aborts for two consecutive days.

The launch of the Angara-A5, a new post-Soviet launch vehicle, aims to demonstrate Russia's space ambitions and the growing importance of the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Russia's Far East.

According to the Russian space agency Roscosmos, the launch proceeded smoothly, with all systems functioning normally. The rocket, carrying a test payload, entered orbit after reaching speeds of over 25,000 kilometres per hour.

The successful launch comes after a malfunction of the engine launch control system forced the cancellation of Wednesday's test launch.

The Angara project, initiated in the aftermath of the Soviet Union's collapse in 1991, aims to develop a Russian-made launch vehicle to ensure access to space independently of the Baikonur Cosmodrome, which Russia leases from Kazakhstan.

The Angara-A5's first test flight occurred in 2014, followed by another in 2020, both launched from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. With Thursday's launch, flight design tests of the Angara heavy-class launch vehicles from the Vostochny Cosmodrome have commenced, according to Roscosmos.

Roscosmos highlighted the environmental benefits of the Angara-A5, noting its superior eco-friendliness compared to Russia's Proton M heavy-lift rocket, which has been in operation since the 1960s.