Second Day in a Row, Russia Cancels the Launch of a Heavy-Lift Rocket

Russia abandoned its second attempt on Wednesday to test-launch a new heavy-lift rocket from its space center in the Far East.

The Angara-A5 rocket launch from the Vostochny spaceport was canceled around two minutes prior to its scheduled launch time of 0900 GMT.According to the report, the rocket’s center block’s oxidizer tank’s pressurization system failed.

Another attempt at launch will be delayed for a minimum of one day, according to the national space agency Roscosmos.

Roscosmos chairman Yuri Borisov stated that the reason the first attempt on Tuesday failed was that the autonomous safety system detected a problem with the oxidizer tank pressurization system.

The Angara-A5, a heavy-lift variant of the new Angara family of rockets that is being developed to replace the Soviet-designed Proton rockets, was scheduled for its fourth launch.

The Plesetsk launchpad in northwest Russia served as the site of the prior three launches.

Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, Russia leased Kazakhstan’s Baikonur Cosmodrome and proceeded to utilize it for the majority of its space launches. As long as Kazakhstan and Russia reach a deal, Russia will be able to lease Baikonur for $115 million annually until 2050.

Although Vostochny has been the preferred location for Angara launches, Roscosmos has remained to rely on Baikonur. The new spaceport has not been used much thus far, and its building has taken longer than anticipated.