The rollout of the new Soyuz-5 launch vehicle to the Baiterek launch complex has been postponed to March 29. Due to this shift, the first test launch, which was originally scheduled for the end of March, is now scheduled for April 2 at 16:00 Astana time. If additional equipment checks are required in the days leading up to the launch, April 3 will be the reserve day.
The Soyuz-5 rocket is being prepared for launch as part of the joint Russian-Kazakh project Baiterek. The program started back in 2004 with the idea of creating a launch complex at Baikonur for rockets using environmentally friendly fuel. Initially, it was planned to use the Angara carrier for these tasks, but after the completion of the Zenit program, the infrastructure at sites 42 and 45 was transferred to a joint venture, and the concept was revised. As a result, Soyuz-5 was chosen: this rocket can be launched with minimal modifications to the facilities remaining after Zenit.
The medium-class carrier is developed and manufactured by RCC Progress. The height of the rocket is up to 65.2 meters (depending on the fairing), the diameter is 4.1 meters, and the launch weight is about 530 tons. Soyuz-5 is capable of delivering up to 17.4 tons of payload into low Earth orbit, and about 2.5 tons into geostationary orbit. Naphthyl (refined kerosene) and liquid oxygen are used as fuel - components that are considered safer for the environment compared to toxic analogues of previous generations.
The schedule for the first launch of Soyuz-5 has changed several times. Initially, the launch was scheduled for December 2025, then postponed to the end of March 2026.
