Russia Cancels its Scheduled Heavy-Lift Space Rocket Test Launch

The new heavy-lift rocket’s test launch from its far-eastern launch site was canceled by Russian space officials on Tuesday.

Two minutes prior to the Angara-A5 rocket’s scheduled departure at 0900 GMT on Tuesday, the launch was canceled at the Vostochny space launch facility.

Head of the state space company Roscosmos, Yuri Borisov, stated that the launch was halted by the automatic safety system due to a problem with the pressurization system of the oxidizer tank.

According to him, Wednesday will be the next launch attempt.

The Angara-A5 heavy-lift variant, which is being developed to replace the Soviet-built Proton rockets, was scheduled to launch for the fourth time on Tuesday.

The Plesetsk launchpad in northwest Russia served as the site of the prior three launches.

Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, Russia leased Kazakhstan’s Baikonur Cosmodrome and proceeded to utilize it for the majority of its space launches. As long as Kazakhstan and Russia reach a deal, Russia will be able to lease Baikonur for $115 million annually until 2050.

Although Vostochny has been the preferred location for Angara launches, Roscosmos has remained to rely on Baikonur. The new spaceport has not been used much thus far, and its building has taken longer than anticipated.