For the first time in history, a core Angara rocket mission is set to lift off from the freshly prepared launch pad at Vostochny Cosmodrome. The window runs from April 6 to April 10 this year, according to a source within the Russian space industry. The bidirectional chatter around the Angara-A5 vehicle from Vostochny points to a tentative schedule of April 6 through April 10. This marks a historic milestone for the facility and its ability to host complex, high-profile launches in a northern Far East location, demonstrating the region’s strategic role in Russia’s space program. Source: rocket and space industry insiders.
RCA officials and industry contacts indicate that the April period will see the Angara-A5 vehicle lifted into the skies from Vostochny for a test or preliminary mission, underscoring the cosmodrome’s growing operational tempo. The information emphasizes the readiness of the launch complex and its potential as a reliable launch site for heavy-lift missions and future commercial and governmental payloads. Source: rocket and space industry insiders.
In a separate development, May is expected to bring a Soyuz-2 launch from Vostochny carrying two ionospheric heliogeophysical status monitoring devices. The mission is described as targeted and time-bound, aligning with the cosmodrome’s broader objectives to expand its telemetry and atmospheric research capabilities. Source: rocket and space industry insiders.
Earlier operations at Vostochny and other sites included a combat training launch from the Plesetsk spaceport. That event utilized the Yars strategic missile system to simulate damage reception in a designated training range, contributing to ongoing assessment of ballistic capabilities and test readiness in the Kamchatka region’s Kura training area. Source: rocket and space industry insiders.
Additionally, the Meteor-M series hydrometeorological satellites have been part of Russia’s orbital pursuits. Previous launches involved Soyuz-2.1b carriers deploying domestic and foreign-built spacecraft associated with specific mission profiles from zone 1C at the Vostochny cosmodrome. The efforts illustrate the continuous push to advance weather monitoring, climate research, and satellite data services. Source: rocket and space industry insiders.
There have been reports that Russia is pursuing continued space infrastructure development and satellite programs to bolster both civilian and defense-oriented capabilities. The ongoing cadence at Vostochny reflects the country’s commitment to expanding accessible launch facilities, enhancing domestic manufacturing, and sustaining space science operations across multiple programs. Source: rocket and space industry insiders.