For the first time in Russia, a preliminary design of a private launch vehicle has been approved. This is about the super-light Voronezh rocket, developed by 3D Research and Development. The conclusion was issued by the head institute of Roscosmos - TsNIImash.
This is a key stage: now the project is officially recognized as technically feasible and can move on to full-scale development work. In the future - testing and construction of launch infrastructure at the Vostochny Cosmodrome.
The project is funded by the Voskhod Foundation and NTI structures. About 180 million rubles have already been invested, and the total development cost may reach 10 billion.
The development of Voronezh has been underway since 2023. During this time, about 4,000 pages of technical documentation have been prepared and a complete set of 3D models has been created. A model of the second stage has already been assembled, and electronic systems are undergoing bench tests.
The rocket will be two-stage and designed to launch small satellites - up to 250 kilograms into an orbit with an altitude of about 500 kilometers. The first launch is scheduled for 2029, and the engine fire tests are scheduled for 2027.
A separate emphasis is placed on engines. They are created on the basis of already proven solutions from the Soyuz-2 rocket, which should reduce the cost and risks of development.
The market for small satellites in Russia is growing, and with it the demand for its own launch vehicles is growing. Currently, most devices are sent into orbit as a secondary payload, which limits flexibility and timing.
The Voronezh project may become one of the first steps towards the formation of a private segment in the Russian cosmonautics - with its own rocket and the ability to launch satellites without being tied to large state programs.