Russia has taken an important step towards creating its own reusable rocket that can return after flight. During the development of "Amur-SPG," the first methane engine was successfully test-fired. This is a key stage when it is turned on and tested in conditions close to real ones.
According to Dmitry Bakanov, head of Roscosmos, the tests were successful. Moreover, the locations where the first stage will return after the flight have already been determined. This is Nizhnyaya Salda in the Sverdlovsk region, at the NIIMash enterprise.
Practicing the landing is one of the most difficult elements of the entire technology. It is what makes the rocket reusable and significantly reduces the cost of launches.
According to Bakanov, the key task now is to implement a returnable first stage, and in the future, a second stage as well. The technical specifications for creating such a rocket were approved last fall, and the contract was signed in 2026 as part of a new national project.
Work is also underway on the ground. It was previously reported that the launch pad for "Amur-SPG" has already begun to be designed at the Vostochny Cosmodrome.
The deadlines have also been set. According to First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, the first launch of an experimental medium-class rocket with a returnable first stage should take place in 2028.
Read more on the topic:
