Russia's New Soyuz-5 Launch Vehicle Declared Ready for Deployment
Russia's Roscosmos announced that its first new launch vehicle since 2014, the Soyuz-5, has completed final testing and is 'absolutely ready' for deployment, presented to President Putin ahead of Yuri Gagarin's historic flight anniversary.
Key Points
- Soyuz-5 is Russia's first new launch vehicle since 2014, now declared 'absolutely ready' for deployment
- Presented to President Putin ahead of 65th anniversary of Yuri Gagarin's historic space flight
- Will launch from the Soviet-era Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan
Full Details
Russia's space agency Roscosmos announced on April 12, 2026, that the Soyuz-5 rocket has completed final testing and is 'absolutely ready' for use in space projects. This marks Russia's first new launch vehicle development since 2014, representing a significant milestone for the country's space program. Dmitry Bakanov, head of Roscosmos, presented the rocket's details to President Vladimir Putin on the eve of the 65th anniversary of Yuri Gagarin's historic 1961 space flight. The Soyuz-5 will conduct launches from the Soviet-era Baikonur Cosmodrome, which is located in Kazakhstan but remains under Russian operation. Putin expressed confidence in Russia's space industry, stating it was 'feeling more confident' as the nation advances its launch capabilities with this new vehicle.
Why It Matters
This development signals Russia's renewed commitment to maintaining its space launch capabilities and could impact international space launch competition, particularly for medium-lift missions.
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