Russia is preparing for the first launch of its new Soyuz-5 medium-lift rocket, planned for December 2025, according to the protocol of the Russian-Kazakh intergovernmental commission.
The Soyuz-5, which will be capable of carrying up to 17 tonnes of payload into low Earth orbit, will be launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. This launch site was previously used for Zenit rocket launches.
The development of the Soyuz-5 is part of a broader collaboration between Russia and Kazakhstan, with Russia developing the rocket and Kazakhstan enhancing the launch complex under the joint Baiterek project.
Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed that Moscow anticipates the first launch from the upgraded Baikonur site in 2025. This new rocket represents a significant advancement in Russia’s space capabilities, as it is designed to meet the growing demand for medium-class payload launches.
