Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Commander of Space Defence Forces Alexander Golovko reported the launch of the carrier rocket to the President. Also taking part in the videoconference was Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Sergei Ivanov.
Angara is a new generation carrier rocket based on the universal oxygen-kerosene propelled rocket module. The Angara A5 carrier rocket with the Briz-M upper stage will boost a 2 tonne mock-up workload to a geostationary orbit.
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President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr Shoigu, Mr Golovko, Mr Ivanov, friends and colleagues,
Congratulations on the successful launch. As planned, today we had the first trial launch of the Angara A5 heavy carrier rocket.
This is a major achievement for our space rocket industry and for Russia in general. I would like to remind you that on July 9 we successfully launched a lightweight Angara carrier rocket. Thus, we are consistently implementing a large-scale state programme – something my colleagues have just spoken of – a programme that actually starts a new stage in space exploration.
As it has already been mentioned, the most advanced technologies have been used in the heavyweight Angara-A5 carrier rocket. It can be used to deliver existing and future space equipment of military, economic and research application to any orbit. Thus, as Mr Shoigu has said, they are designed for use in rocket attack early warning systems, in reconnaissance, navigation and communication, including relay-type communication. This will significantly boost Russia’s security.
I would like to highlight that all the component parts of the Angara are made in Russia. It has been developed with the use of advanced technologies that fully meet modern standards, including environmental requirements. This significantly reduces its impact on the environment.
In future, these rockets will replace their predecessors Proton-M and Rokot and will be launched from the Plesetsk Space Launch Centre.
I would like to thank everyone involved in today’s launch: engineers, designers, test engineers and servicemen. You have tackled this challenge with a great sense of responsibility and your success has demonstrated that Russia remains one of the world’s accepted leaders in space exploration.
As you all know, there is still a lot of work ahead. In the next five years starting in 2015 you will conduct a series of launches of various class carrier rockets. The trials are to be completed by 2020. I am certain that this work will be carried out with the same responsibility you demonstrated at this stage and we will reach new heights in space exploration.
Thank you all. Congratulations and best wishes for the coming New Year.