Russia is developing a new rocket that is intended to replace the "Soyuz-2" in the most common class of launches. This refers to the "Amur-LNG" – a rocket with a reusable first stage, operating on liquid oxygen and liquefied natural gas. Roscosmos directly compares it to Elon Musk's SpaceX Falcon. Dmitry Baranov, Deputy Head of Roscosmos, revealed the details.
A state contract has already been concluded for the "Amur-LNG" project. First, Roscosmos must test a demonstrator of the first stage. This is a separate stage that must learn to take off and return. Two tests are planned for it.
One time it just takes off to a small altitude, less than a kilometer, doesn't turn off the engine, and lands. The second time it must take off to 10 km, turn off the engine, glide, tumble, then restart the engine and land on its feet.
Work on the standard version of "Amur-LNG" is proceeding in parallel. It is intended to launch from Vostochny and deliver cargo into orbit. In its reusable configuration, the rocket will be able to deliver just over 10 tons of payload, and in its expendable configuration – about 12 tons.
Baranov called "Amur-LNG" an analogue of Falcon, but clarified that in terms of payload mass, it is closer to "Soyuz-2".
This is the most common class. It will have quite a lot of payloads, so there's no point, for example, in making a reusable one the size of the "Soyuz-5" – 17 tons, we think that's too much. Therefore, it will be a little smaller. It's roughly the same technology: the first stage is a "waffle" welded structure.
Baranov stated that "Amur-LNG" will quickly and unequivocally displace "Soyuz-2". At the same time, according to him, the new rocket will most likely not replace "Soyuz-5" because it belongs to a different class.
First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov previously stated that an experimental launch of a Russian reusable rocket, which can be used up to 100 times, is planned for 2028.
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