Angara (rocket family)

Angara (rocket family) is a family of Russian modular launch vehicles developed by the Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center and designed to replace several legacy systems. The program, initiated in the 1990s, aims to provide a modern, domestically-produced launch capability independent of foreign suppliers, particularly for launches from Russian territory. Its modular design, based on a common Universal Rocket Module (URM) core, allows for a range of configurations from light to heavy-lift, supporting missions to Low Earth orbit, Geostationary orbit, and beyond.

Overview

The Angara family represents a cornerstone of the modern Russian space launch strategy, intended to phase out dependence on the Proton rocket and launch sites like the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. It is designed for launch from Russian facilities, primarily the Plesetsk Cosmodrome and the future Vostochny Cosmodrome. The family's development has been a long-term priority for Roscosmos, reflecting strategic goals for assured access to space and supporting both government and commercial payloads, including modules for the International Space Station and future lunar missions.

Development

Development of the Angara family was authorized by the Russian government in 1992 following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, with the goal of creating a new launch system using only Russian industrial capabilities. The project faced significant delays and funding challenges throughout the 1990s and 2000s. Key milestones included the establishment of the design bureau at Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center and extensive testing of components like the RD-191 engine. The first suborbital test flight of a light variant, Angara 1.2PP, successfully occurred from Plesetsk Cosmodrome in July 2014, marking the vehicle's maiden launch.

Design and variants

The family employs a modular design centered on the Universal Rocket Module (URM), a core stage powered by a single RD-191 rocket engine burning RP-1 and Liquid oxygen. Light-lift versions, such as the Angara 1.2, use one URM as a first stage. The heavy-lift Angara A5 configuration uses a core of three URMs strapped together, topped with a Briz-M or KVTK upper stage. The super-heavy Angara A5V variant, planned for lunar missions, would add a hydrogen-fueled third stage. This modularity allows the family to cover a wide payload range, directly competing with vehicles like the Ariane 5 and Falcon 9.

Launch history

The launch history of Angara began with the successful suborbital test of Angara 1.2PP in 2014 from Plesetsk Cosmodrome. The first orbital flight of the heavy Angara A5 followed in December 2014, also from Plesetsk Cosmodrome, deploying a dummy payload. After a multi-year hiatus, flight tests resumed, including the first launch from the Vostochny Cosmodrome in 2023. The family has experienced one failure: the second test flight of the light Angara 1.2 in 2020 failed due to a software issue. As of 2024, all subsequent launches of the Angara A5 have been successful.

Operational use

Angara is transitioning into operational service to assume the workload of the Proton rocket for launching heavy government payloads. Its primary operational bases are Plesetsk Cosmodrome for polar orbits and Vostochny Cosmodrome for geostationary missions. The Angara A5 is slated to launch modules for the proposed Russian Orbital Service Station and support Russia's lunar exploration plans. Future operational cadence is expected to increase as the vehicle becomes the workhorse for Roscosmos, fulfilling both national security and scientific mission requirements.

Category:Launch vehicles Category:Space program of Russia