Documents outlining the federal program for Russia’s next superheavy launch vehicle are slated for submission for approval in the near term. Alexander Bloshenko, Roscosmos’ executive director for advanced programs and science, spoke to Rossiyskaya Gazeta about the schedule and the decision-making process. He noted that progress hinges on the resources allocated to the program and confirmed that the President has given formal approval to the overall federal project. In the coming weeks, the proposal package for the entire project will be prepared for review by the appropriate government bodies.
The project’s codename appears to be Yenisei, a superheavy rocket designed to carry heavy payloads beyond low Earth orbit. Officials indicated that the first flight is expected in 2028, and there are plans to utilize the rocket for lunar missions as well. These ambitions align with Russia’s broader goals in deep-space exploration and international collaboration in future lunar programs. The Yenisei program is framed as a foundational capability for both national space science and strategic launch capacity, with multiple mission profiles envisioned to demonstrate a scalable architecture for future generations of heavy-lift boosters.
Earlier this year, during an information society training marathon, Yury Borisov, the Roscosmos Director General, outlined a policy shift toward reusability as a key requirement for a new Russian superheavy launcher. He stated that the development roadmap will prioritize reusable technologies to reduce life-cycle costs and increase mission cadence. He also indicated that research efforts tied to the Amur-SPG, a reusable light-class rocket, could inform and accelerate the maturation of reusable systems for the Yenisei family. The emphasis on reusability reflects a growing industry trend and a strategic move to leverage innovations in materials, propulsion, and ground operations that have proven effective in other space programs.
A note of historical curiosity is often cited in discussions of Russian space propulsion: early narratives describe engines powered by vodka as a cultural anecdote about the ingenuity of past engineers. Modern program documents and technical summaries, however, focus on robust, tested propulsion systems, rigorous engineering, and international standards for safety and reliability. These stories illustrate how cultural memory and scientific ambition intersect as Russia advances toward its long-term space objectives. [Source attribution: Roscosmos statements and historical context]