Russia first tested space missiles since Soviet times

On July 9, Russia launched its first test of new space boosters since 1991, initially aiming to limit dependence on aerospace in Kazakhstan and other regions.

>>>Russia postponed the Angara rocket launcher to 2014

Angara-1.2PP boosters before leaving the launch pad.(Photo: BBC)

The Angara-1.2PP rocket was launched from Plesetsk military space airport, about 800km north of Moscow, at 16h (Moscow time). According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, the launch was conducted by the air defense and space forces of the ministry. During the testing phase, the missile did not put any satellite on orbit.

The goal of the project to design and launch new generation of missiles from domestic bases is to limit dependence on external supplies, such as the use of the Baikonur airport in Kazakhstan for many years.

Reuters said that the Angara missile generation was researched and manufactured for more than 20 years, after the Soviet Union disintegrated. The construction and testing of new missiles is considered to be central to Russia's national space industry reform plan.

Angara missiles use clean fuel, unlike Proton's toxic hydrazine fuel. According to experts, Angara missiles will be commercially viable within the next 10 years, when it is launched from a new Russian space airport base currently being built in the Far East.