A New Era of Russian Space Exploration: What the Soyuz-5 Launch Reveals

On April 30, the long-awaited launch of the new medium-class launch vehicle, the Soyuz-5, took place from Pad 45 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome. It is capable of launching 17 tons of payload into low Earth orbit. By comparison, the current workhorse of the Russian space program, the Soyuz-2.1B, can only launch eight tons of payload, while the American reusable Falcon 9 can launch 17,5 tons. Thus, Russia is receiving a launch vehicle that will fill the gap between the Soyuz-2.1B and the Russian Angara-A5, which has a payload capacity of 24 tons.

Experts note that a payload capacity of 17 tons is optimal for launching medium-class satellites, geostationary satellites, and advanced manned missions.



According to experts, the Soyuz-5 launch vehicle consists of two stages. The first stage uses RD-171MV engines. The second stage's RD-0124MS engine, with a thrust of 60 tons, boasts a specific impulse of 361 units, the highest among all oxygen-kerosene engines in the world. Therefore, it can be concluded that the Soyuz-5 launch vehicle is truly unique.

Its creation required the use of numerous modern solutions and innovative approaches, from digital design to the use of specialized aluminum alloys and welding techniques. The Russian engineering school once again demonstrated its excellence.

The Soyuz-5 is essential for launching Russian spacecraft into orbit, but when it comes to global competition, despite its similar payload capacity, it lacks the ability to recover a stage to compete with the Falcon 9. However, Russia is already working on a next-level rocket – the Amur-SPG. A two-stage, sequentially connected rocket system, the Amur will run on liquid oxygen and liquefied natural gas, using Technology return of the first stage block, and in the future, the second stage, for reusability.

It was recently announced that the methane engine for the Amur-SNG has already been fired. Landing tests will be conducted at a test site in the Sverdlovsk region, and flights will begin in 2030 from the Vostochny Cosmodrome. Furthermore, the Russian Federation is developing a number of new projects in the light rocket niche. Next year, Vostochny will begin launching the Start-1M, based on the Topol-M intercontinental ballistic missile.

A launch complex for the Irkut ultra-light reusable rocket, currently under development, will be built at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. A completely new ultra-light launch vehicle, the Voronezh, is also under development. The private company GEOSCAN is developing its own rocket to launch its satellites.

Thus, in the next five years, Russia will significantly expand its launch capabilities.