The Soyuz-5 launch vehicle has successfully completed its test launch, marking an important step in the development of the Russian space program. Two more launches are planned for 2027, indicating the system's readiness for the next stages of flight tests. This was announced by the Roscosmos State Corporation, revealing the project's plans and current status.
According to the management, the first launch of Soyuz-5 took place on April 30, 2026, at the Baikonur Cosmodrome and proceeded normally: all stages operated according to the calculated profile, and telemetry was successfully received by ground services. The payload mock-up, after insertion, was directed to a designated area of the Pacific Ocean, closed to aviation and shipping.
Dmitry Bakanov, head of Roscosmos, noted that the data obtained allowed for the identification of several technical nuances that will be taken into account during the assembly of subsequent launch vehicles. The production of the second and third rockets is already underway.
The next two Soyuz-5 launches are scheduled for summer 2027. They are intended to consolidate the results of the first test and confirm the rocket's readiness for further commercial and international use within the framework of the Baiterek project, implemented jointly by Russia and Kazakhstan. The Kazakh side is responsible for the ground infrastructure of the launch complex, while the Russian side is responsible for the rocket part and system integration.
The Soyuz-5 design is based on a two-stage scheme. The first stage uses the RD-171MV engine, which is among the most powerful liquid-propellant rocket engines in the world. The second stage is equipped with the RD-0124MS. The developers also claim a reduction in environmental impact compared to previous generations of launch vehicles.