In a surprising turn of events, Russia called off the test launch of its Angara A5 rocket just minutes before liftoff on Tuesday at the Vostochny Cosmodrome. The mission, intended to mark the debut of this heavy booster at the new launch site, has been postponed by at least 24 hours due to a technical malfunction.
Announced through loudspeakers at the launch pad, the delay stems from a malfunction in the pressurizing system of the oxidizer tank, as reported by Russian Space chief Yuri Borisov. The Angara A5 represents Russia's first heavy booster rocket developed since the dissolution of the Soviet Union, designed to carry modules for the upcoming Russian space station and satellites for the GLONASS navigation system into orbit.
One of the key advantages of the Vostochny Cosmodrome is its proximity to the equator, allowing the Angara A5 to deliver a heavier payload compared to launches from the Soviet-era Plesetsk facility, where it has already achieved three successful test launches.
This recent hiccup comes shortly after a successful mission last month, when Russia's Soyuz spacecraft launched a crew of three to the International Space Station, despite a delayed start caused by a minor glitch.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
