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On April 11, 2024, Russia finally achieved a successful test launch of its Angara-A5 heavy-lift rocket. This marked the first time the rocket had flown and came after two previous launch attempts were scrubbed due to technical problems.
Earlier Hiccups:
- The first launch attempt on April 9th was thwarted by a malfunction in the pressurization system.
- The second attempt on April 10th faced a hurdle with the engine launch-control system.
- The perseverance paid off on April 11th, coinciding with Cosmonaut Day, a celebration of Yuri Gagarin's historic spaceflight.
Angara-A5 Details:
- This three-stage behemoth stands at an impressive 54.5 meters (178.81 feet) tall and weighs a hefty 773 tons.
- Boasting a payload capacity of 24.5 tons, the Angara-A5 soared to an altitude exceeding 25,000 kilometers (15,500 miles) per hour within minutes of launch.
The Angara Project:
- Launched in 1991 following the Soviet Union's collapse, the Angara project aims to provide Russia with a domestically built launch vehicle.
- Prior to this successful launch, the Angara-A5 had undergone two test flights in 2014 and 2020, both from Plesetsk Cosmodrome.
- A partial test in 2021, however, was unsuccessful.
The Future of Angara:
The Angara-A5 is envisioned as a successor to Russia's Proton launcher, ensuring continued space access beyond 2050 when the lease on Kazakhstan's Baikonur Cosmodrome expires.
President Putin emphasizes the Angara's role in national security, despite project delays and setbacks.
Russia also harbors ambitions to utilize the Angara's cargo capabilities for their upcoming space station project.
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Published date : 13 Apr 2024 06:49PM
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