Three Angara rockets to launch from Plesetsk Cosmodrome in 2024 - Russian DM

MOSCOW. April 24 (Interfax) - Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has inspected the ongoing construction and upgrading of infrastructure at Plesetsk Cosmodrome in the Arkhangelsk region, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.

The creation of infrastructure to launch Angara heavy and light launch vehicles with upper stages for placing spacecraft into all types of orbits for the Defense Ministry has been completed at Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Shoigu said.

"Six launches of these rockets have already been carried out successfully. Three more launches of this category of rocket are due to take place this year," Shoigu was quoted by the Defense Ministry as saying.

"Completing the upgrade of the second launch site for Soyuz rockets will double the cosmodrome's capacity to ensure spacecraft launches. Efforts are also ongoing to modernize the Rokot light rocket. Its testing is due to start in December this year," he said.

Shoigu inspected the launch preparation facility for universal rocket modules of Angara launch vehicles and the areas where heavy-lift and light rockets are assembled, the ministry said.

Video footage released by the ministry on Wednesday shows at least two Angara-1.2 light rockets and Angara-A5 heavy-lift rockets being assembled at Plesetsk Cosmodrome's assembly and testing facility.

"Gen. of the Army Sergei Shoigu listened to a report by Russian Space Forces Commander and Aerospace Forces Deputy Commander Col. Gen. Alexander Golovko on putting into operation a new universal technical area intended to prepare military and socioeconomic spacecraft, Briz-M upper stages, and ascent units for Angara-family launch vehicles," the ministry said.

Shoigu was also told that the spacecraft preparation facility is entirely fitted out with Russian-made standard sets of mechanical and technical equipment, fire extinguishing systems, communication systems, oxygen control systems, and pneumatic and electric testing equipment, it said.

Shoigu also held a meeting with senior officials of the Defense Ministry, relevant military command and control organizations and the Plesetsk Cosmodrome during his visit to the cosmodrome.