The state corporation Roscosmos spoke about how the development of carriers of the Angara family, created on the basis of a universal rocket module, is progressing.
Recall that the named family includes rockets from light to heavy classes in the range of carrying capacities from 3,5 tons to 37,5 tons. The first launch of the Angara-1.2 light class carrier 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 the Roskosmos TV Studio, at present, the Production Association "Flight" (part of the Federal State Unitary Enterprise "GKNPTs named after M.V. Khrunichev") is manufacturing blocks for the Angara-A5 heavy rocket. The launch is scheduled for December this year.
It is noted that in the future, work is planned to improve the energy-mass characteristics of the Angara. First of all, this concerns the modernization of the engine. In addition, the design of the carrier will be optimized, including through the use of new materials.
The launch of another rocket of the Angara family is scheduled for 2020. The main feature of this launch campaign will be the use of the Perseus upper stage, which runs on environmentally friendly fuel components.
Source: 3dnews.ru