The first launch of the upgraded Angara-A5M launch vehicle will be an important stage of testing and will include working out an emergency situation. During the tests, the rescue system for the crew of the new generation manned transport spacecraft (PTK NP) will be tested, Roscosmos reported.
The rocket test program at the Vostochny Cosmodrome involves comprehensive testing, which will combine the launch of the first prototype of the Angara-A5M and testing of the PTK NP model. The main purpose of this launch is to check the effective operation of the rescue system for the crew in the event of a critical situation with the launch vehicle at the stage when it is in the zone of maximum dynamic pressure. These tests will provide important information to ensure the safety of future manned launches.
At the same time, active preparations are underway at the production facilities of the Khrunichev Center for the mass production of modernized Angara. In 2025, the assembly and welding stage of the Angara-A5M rockets will begin. An important element of the rocket modernization will be the installation of a new RD-191M sustainer engine, which is 10% more powerful than its previous version used in the basic Angara. This will increase the rocket's payload to 27 tons, which significantly expands its capabilities.
The Angara project involves the development of several rocket modifications. The Angara-A5M modification will have increased payload capacity, and the Angara-A5V will receive returnable stages and a hydrogen third stage. These rockets are planned to be used to launch not only satellites into orbit, but also modules for the Russian Orbital Station, as well as the PTK NP, which will deliver crews to the station.
Read materials on the topic:
Roscosmos is modernizing the Angara-A5M heavy-class launch vehicle: unique photos from the workshop