Moscow: In an unexpected turn of events, Russia called off the scheduled test launch of its new heavy-lift rocket, the Angara-A5, from the Vostochny space launch facility on Tuesday.
The liftoff, originally slated for 0900 GMT, was abruptly halted just before takeoff, leaving observers puzzled by the sudden interruption. As of now, no explanation has been provided for the cancellation, and a new launch time remains undisclosed. The Angara-A5 rocket, intended to succeed the aging Proton rockets, was poised for its fourth launch.
Also Read | Tata’s TSAT-1A: India’s Made-in-India Military Satellite Successfully Deployed by SpaceX Rocket
Previously, the Angara-A5 had undergone three successful launches at the Plesetsk launchpad in northwestern Russia. However, the Vostochny spaceport, envisioned as the primary launch site for Angara missions, has faced setbacks in construction, leading to its underutilization.
Also Read | Pentagon Issues Warning: US Could Fall Behind China in Space Race
Since the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, Russia has leased the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for its space endeavors, with an agreement extending the lease until 2050 for an annual fee of $115 million. Despite Baikonur’s historical significance, Vostochny was intended to become Russia’s preferred launch facility, but delays have hindered its full operational capability thus far.
