The Vostochny Cosmodrome will receive a third launch pad for light-class rockets in 2026. This was announced on Channel One by Dmitry Bakanov, General Director of Roscosmos. Currently, two launch complexes operate at the cosmodrome: for the heavy Angara-A5 and for Soyuz-2 launch vehicles. The first launch from Vostochny took place on April 28, 2016 (Soyuz-2 rocket), and the first launch of Angara from this site took place on April 11, 2024. The appearance of the third table will increase the frequency of launches and separate the preparation flows of rockets of different classes.
Development of Vostochny's launch infrastructure
The launch pad for light rockets will be the third at Vostochny. Its construction is underway as part of the second stage of the cosmodrome. The specific type of carrier that will use the new complex has not been officially specified.
In the light class, Roscosmos is developing the Amur-SPG rocket (methane, reusable) and continues to operate convertible versions of Angara (Angara-1.2).
The presence of a separate table for light carriers allows unloading the infrastructure intended for Soyuzes and reducing the time for inter-launch preparation.
Launch plans for 2026 from the Vostochny Cosmodrome
The creation of a third launch pad is part of the program to increase launch activity. In 2026, launches are planned from Vostochny both under the federal program and under commercial contracts. The separation by rocket class allows simultaneous preparation of different types of carriers without downtime of launch complexes.
The presence of three launch pads at one cosmodrome is a practice characteristic of the world's largest spaceports (Baikonur, Cape Canaveral). For Vostochny, this means reaching a new level of operational flexibility: you can quickly switch between carriers for different tasks (manned launches, launching communications satellites, scientific spacecraft).