Russia's Angara A5 Takes Flight On Successful Fourth Orbital Test Mission

Marking a potential turning point for the nation's space ambitions, Russia's space agency Roscosmos has launched its Angara A5 heavy-lift rocket on its fourth orbital test mission. This launch signifies a critical step towards operational use of the powerful new vehicle.

Liftoff occurred from the Vostochny Cosmodrome, a launch facility in Russia's Far East. This marked the first time the Angara A5 blasted off from this location. Previously, all test flights had taken place at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome.

The 179-foot-tall (54.5-meter) rocket boasts several advantages. Unlike its predecessor, the Proton-M, the Angara A5 is entirely built with Russian-made components. Additionally, it utilizes a more environmentally friendly fuel, reducing its environmental impact.

"The rocket worked according to plan," Roscosmos announced in a Telegram post following the launch. This successful mission follows two scrubbed launch attempts on April 9th and 10th due to technical glitches.

The Angara A5 carried a mass simulator on this mission, but future iterations are envisioned to deliver heavy payloads into space. Russia has ambitions to utilize the Angara A5 to launch modules for a future space station, potentially rivaling the International Space Station.

This successful test flight is a significant win for Roscosmos, potentially marking the end of a challenging development period for the Angara A5. The first test flight occurred in 2014, followed by another in 2020. However, the 2021 mission resulted in the rocket missing its intended orbit due to a second-stage anomaly.

With this latest success, Russia appears on track to usher in a new era of its spacefaring capabilities with the Angara A5.