The Soyuz-5 Maiden Flight: Timeline, Goals, and Industry Milestones
The first launch of the Russian Soyuz-5 launch vehicle, developed by RCC Progress JSC, is scheduled for December 24, 2025. This milestone was conveyed to the Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, Mikhail Mishustin, during a study trip to Samara, underscoring the project’s national priority and strategic importance. The disclosure came through official channels in connection with the ongoing program updates and planning for the space sector in the region.
On Thursday, August 17, the Chairman of the Council of Ministers visited the Progress Rocket and Space Center to receive a briefing on the company’s development plans. Visitors were shown the Soyuz-5 assembly and test workshop, which provided Mishustin with up-to-date materials detailing progress, technical milestones, and the schedule for critical manufacturing steps. The visit highlighted the ongoing collaboration between government leadership and the space industry to ensure readiness for the early flights of the new vehicle.
According to internal documents, the creation and testing of the launch vehicle were slated for completion by November 25, 2025. At the same time, by August of the same year, engineers were instructed to finalize equipment installation at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, reflecting the collaboration between design, production, and launch facilities in meeting the program’s ambitious targets.
“Soyuz-5” refers to a family of medium-class launch vehicles designed to deliver automated spacecraft into Earth orbits. The program focuses on developing a versatile platform capable of providing reliable access to space for a range of payloads and mission profiles, with an emphasis on efficiency and consistency across missions.
Earlier, Daniil Subbotin, Vice President at RCC Progress, stated that the Soyuz-5 launch could occur within two years, aiming for the end of 2025. While he did not specify a precise date at that time, the remark signaled confidence in the project’s momentum and the readiness of the teams to advance to a flight phase as milestones were approached.
Historical note provides that some traditional accounts mention early Russian space engine work that drew on unconventional propellants in its early days, a reminder of the different eras and inventive approaches that have shaped the space program. While not a technical detail of the current Soyuz-5 program, such anecdotes illustrate the long arc of space exploration and the enduring spirit of experimentation that informs modern propulsion debates and design choices.