American space observer Ars Technica Eric Berger called the timeline for a Russian answer to Falcon 9 unrealistic. The reusable rocket project "Amur-SPG", announced in 2020 with a first launch in 2026, has now been pushed back another five years – flight tests will begin no earlier than 2031.

Dmitry Baranov, Deputy General Director of Roscosmos for rocket programs, reported that efforts are currently focused on creating a demonstrator of the first stage – an analogue of SpaceX's Grasshopper. The first test "hop" to a height of less than a kilometer with subsequent vertical landing is expected no earlier than 2028. The second, with an ascent to 10 km, engine shutdown and restart, is planned later. The methane engine RD-0169A, according to Russian specialists, is currently only undergoing early fire tests.

Eric Berger emphasizes: even if "Amur-SPG" meets the updated schedule, Russia will get a reusable rocket approximately two decades after SpaceX first landed an orbital Falcon 9 stage. The launch vehicle was conceived as a competitor to Falcon 9 with a reusable first stage, methane engines, and the ability to deliver up to 10.5 tons to low Earth orbit in reusable mode, but the constant delays, according to the American observer, cast doubt on its appearance in the foreseeable future.