The head of the state corporation Roscosmos Dmitry Rogozin, according to the RIA Novosti online publication, announced the reasons for the refusal to create the Angara-A3 launch vehicle.
Recall that the Angara is a family of missiles of various classes, created on the basis of a universal rocket module with oxygen-kerosene engines. The family includes carriers from light to heavy classes in the range of carrying capacities from 3,5 tons to 37,5 tons. The modular design provides ample opportunities for launching spacecraft for various purposes.
"Angara-A3" was supposed to be a medium-class missile. However, as Mr. Rogozin noted, there is no need to create this carrier.
βAngara-A3 is a medium-class rocket with a payload capacity of 17 tons per low reference orbit, the same characteristics that are laid down in the Soyuz-5 rocket. Therefore, it makes sense to focus on the light and heavy Angara, βsaid the head of Roscosmos.
It should be noted that the first launch of the Angara-1.2 light class rocket was carried out from the Plesetsk cosmodrome in July 2014. In December of the same year, the heavy-class Angara-A5 rocket was launched.
According to Mr. Rogozin, the launch of the heavy-class Angara launch vehicle is scheduled for this summer. The launch will be made from the Plesetsk cosmodrome.
Source: 3dnews.ru