In 2029, Russia will launch a new super-light launch vehicle "Voronezh" into space, 20 m long and 2 m in diameter. It runs on liquid fuel and is capable of putting up to 400 kg of cargo into a 500 km orbit, according to the Skolkovo Foundation.
Nikolai Dzis-Voinarovsky, General Director of the "Research and Development" project, clarified that the development of the rocket engine was commissioned to the Samara plant ODK-Kuznetsov.
We have already completed the preliminary design of the rocket, we are preparing drawings and 3D models, we have completed the design layout of the second stage.
Skolkovo added that the main task of super-light rockets is to replace retiring satellites from satellite constellations. It is impractical to use heavy rockets for this, as it is more expensive and you have to wait a long time for the rocket to be fully loaded.
Dzis-Voinarovsky emphasized that the development of own super-light rockets is more than relevant, as Russia is actively involved in creating its own satellite constellations.
By the end of 2026, Russia will also present a draft design of a new nuclear rocket engine for flights to the Moon and the implementation of long-range space missions, said Mikhail Kovalchuk, President of the Kurchatov Institute National Research Center.