Space

Russia to develop new carrier rocket for manned space flight

RIA Novosti

17/10/2007 13:07 MOSCOW, October 17 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's space agency will soon announce a tender to develop a new carrier rocket, to ensure successful implementation of its manned-flight program, a top space official said Wednesday.

"A special commission will determine the design criteria [for the new space vehicle] and the domestic companies eligible for participation in the tender," said Anatoly Perminov, the head of the Federal Space Agency.

The Federal Space Program for 2006-2015 stipulates the construction of a reusable "Clipper" spacecraft jointly with European partners, and two carrier rockets, the Angara and the Soyuz-2.

While the family of Soyuz-2 launch vehicles is already operational, Russia is still developing the entire range of Angara boosters.

Sergei Ivanov, Russia's first deputy prime minister who oversees industrial development, said earlier that the first tests of the Angara carrier rocket would start on schedule in 2011.

The Khrunichev State Research and Production Center, the Angara designer and manufacturer, will exhibit mock-up models of Angara boosters at the Dubai AirShow 2007 on November 11-15.