A special train designed for transportation of the Angara was on Monday sent from the Khrunichev Space Center outside Moscow towards the Plesetsk launch site in northern Russia.
Speaking to the press in connection with the event, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin underlined the uniqueness of the new carrier rocket. “Until now we have worked with rockets which have been modifications of models from the Soviet era, now we get a brand new rocket”, Rogozin told TV channel Zvezda.
The Angara will enable Russia to conduct all kind of space launch operations from Russian territory. A total of seven types of Angar rockets will be produced, each designed for different operations and cargo. All the Angaras will be operated from Plesetsk. Until now, Russia has been dependent of the use of the Baikonur launch center in Kazakhstan.
When arriving in Plesetsk, the rocket will be assembled and prepared for launch, due to take place in May 2014. The rocket will be able to carry 2 tons of goods into orbit and is the smallest in the Angar family. The next Angara to be sent to Plesetsk is the Angara-5, which has a carry capacity of as much as 24 tons. The Angara-5 is planned sent to Plesetsk in November this year, RIA Novosti reports.
The Plesetsk launch center is located near the town of Mirny in the central part of Arkhangelsk Oblast.
