The launch of Angara light rocket from Vostochny cosmodrome will take place in 2015, – vice Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said at the meeting with the Chairman of Government Dmitry Medvedev. He also reminded that the launch of this rocket from Plesetsk cosmodrome is planned for 2014.
“We are planning to launch light Angara from Vostochny, have already inspected launching site. It is very important that the rocket will be launched with the help of propulsion units using kerosene and oxygen instead of unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine that is strongly criticized from ecological point of view”, – Rogozin said.
He also noted that heavy Angara is already loaded onto the train, and will be delivered to Plesetsk at night from 27 to 28 May, 2013. Rogozin will personally control this process. “Then we will start testing light Angara and upgrade it. The launch of light Angara is planned for May next year; – Rogozin stated and added that the rocket is to be ready by April, 2014.
According to him both light and heavy Angara launch schedules will be strictly controlled and met.
“Recently the plan was approved by Ministry of Defense, Federal Agency for Special Construction and Roscosmos Heads. Today at night we will start the counterclockwise counting down before Angara 1st launch”, – Rogozin said about heavy rocket. He reported that Khrunichev Center started assembling heavy Angara, that will be launched by the end of 2014 and enable to set into low-earth orbit larger and more important cargos. Rogozin also assured Medvedev that the whole process is strictly controlled. In his turn the Prime Minister demanded to spend the money allocated for the needs of space and defense industry rationally.