Inaugural Flight of Soyuz-5 Launch Vehicle Successful

The first Soyuz-5 (also known as Irtysh or Sunkar) launch vehicle successfully lifted off from Site 45/1 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, on April 30, 2026, at 18:00 UTC (23:00 local time). This maiden mission represents a major achievement for the Baiterek project, a long-standing joint venture between Russia and Kazakhstan aimed at maintaining Baikonur's operational viability with eco-friendly technology.

Mission and Performance

According to Roscosmos, the two-stage medium-lift rocket performed as expected. The first and second stages completed their burns nominally, placing a mass simulator (GMM, or Gabaritno-Massovy Maket) on a calculated suborbital trajectory. The second stage was programmed to perform a "dog-leg" maneuver to ensure a safe splashdown in a predetermined zone of the Pacific Ocean.

Technical Specifications

Propulsion: The first stage is powered by the RD-171MV, currently the most powerful liquid-propellant rocket engine in the world, while the second stage utilizes the RD-0124MS.

Fuel: In a move toward modernization, the rocket uses liquid oxygen (LOX) and naphthyl, a more environmentally friendly refined kerosene, compared to the fuels used in older Soviet-era systems.

Capacity: Designed to replace the aging Zenit-2, the Soyuz-5 is capable of delivering up to 17 metric tonnes to Low Earth Orbit (LEO).

This flight marks the beginning of a new era for Russian space launch capabilities, as the Soyuz-5 architecture is also intended to serve as the technological basis for the future Yenisei super-heavy launch vehicle.