BAIKONUR, Kazakhstan — May 1, 2026: Russia has successfully carried out the maiden flight of its new Soyuz-5 medium-class carrier rocket, marking a significant step in the country’s ongoing efforts to modernise its space launch capabilities. The test launch was conducted on April 30, 2026, from Launch Site No. 45 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome.
The rocket lifted off at 21:00 Moscow Time (18:00 UTC) and followed a planned suborbital trajectory. According to Roscosmos, the mission was designed to evaluate key flight parameters and overall system performance. Instead of carrying an operational payload, the vehicle transported a scale model mass simulator.
Flight Performance and Mission Outcome
Roscosmos reported that both stages of the Soyuz-5 functioned as expected during ascent. The payload mockup followed its calculated trajectory and successfully splashed down in a designated area of the Pacific Ocean approximately nine and a half minutes after liftoff. The suborbital profile allowed engineers to assess structural integrity, propulsion performance, and guidance systems under real flight conditions.
The launch represents Russia’s ninth space mission of 2026. In comparison, the country conducted a total of 17 launches throughout 2025, indicating an increase in launch activity this year. Earlier in April, Russia also launched an Angara-1.2 carrier rocket carrying an undisclosed payload.
Revival of Launch Site No. 45
The mission also marked the return to service of Launch Site No. 45, which had remained inactive for nine years. The facility was originally constructed for Zenit rockets, whose production depended on components manufactured in Ukraine. Following the disruption of these supply chains, operations at the site were halted.
The development of the Soyuz-5 has enabled the reactivation and modernisation of the launch complex. The upgrade expands infrastructure capabilities at Baikonur and supports future launch operations under the joint Russian-Kazakh Baiterek project, where the Soyuz-5 is also referred to as “Sunkar” in Kazakhstan.
Vehicle Design and Technical Characteristics
The Soyuz-5 carrier rocket has been developed by the Progress Rocket Space Centre and is intended primarily for launching unmanned spacecraft into low Earth orbit.
The vehicle stands 65.2 metres tall, has a diameter of 4.1 metres, and a launch mass of up to 531 tons. It is capable of delivering payloads of up to 17 tons to low Earth orbit. Unlike earlier members of the Soyuz family that use a clustered configuration with strap-on boosters, the Soyuz-5 adopts a two-stage tandem (serial) configuration. This design reduces dry mass and improves aerodynamic and operational efficiency.
The first stage is powered by the RD-171MV engine, one of the most powerful liquid-propellant rocket engines currently in operation, using kerosene (RP-1) and liquid oxygen as propellants. The second stage is equipped with the RD-0124MS engine. For missions requiring higher orbital insertion, the rocket can be fitted with the Fregat-SSU upper stage.
The propulsion system utilises non-toxic propellants compared to earlier Soviet-era launch systems that relied on hypergolic fuels, aligning with environmental requirements set by Kazakhstan for launches conducted from Baikonur.
Programme Context and Future Outlook
The Soyuz-5 programme is intended to replace older Zenit-class rockets and improve the cost efficiency of payload delivery. Russian space officials have indicated that the vehicle is expected to support both government and commercial missions.
In addition to its role as a standalone launch vehicle, the first stage of the Soyuz-5 is planned to serve as a core component in the proposed “Yenisei” super-heavy launch system, which remains in the conceptual phase for future deep-space and lunar missions.
Following this initial suborbital test, Roscosmos is expected to conduct a detailed analysis of telemetry data collected during the flight. No official timeline has been announced for subsequent test launches or the commencement of operational missions.
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