Group : Space Launch Systems
Status : Retired - No Longer Operational
Origin : Russia
Contractor : Starsem
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : 1970
Total Production : 221

The Molniya launch vehicle is a member of the Soyuz space launch vehicles. The four-stage Molniya-M is the current version of the Molniya launch vehicle and is intended to transport payloads deep into space to the Moon or to the planets of the Solar System. Besides, Molniya-M can place Prognoz and Molniya spacecrafts into high-elliptical near-Earth orbit. The Plesetsk Cosmodrome is entitled for the launch Molniya-M launch vehicles utilizing the same infrastructure in operation for the Soyuz-U launch vehicle. The three-stage rocket uses non-toxic liquid propellant based on oxygen and kerosene. The upper stage (fourth stage) is fueled by cryogenic liquid propellant and ignites an hour after the Molniya-M launch in zero-gravity conditions. The Molniya rocket was retired in 2010.

Group : Space Launch Systems
Status : Retired - No Longer Operational
Origin : Russia
Contractor : Starsem
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : 1974
First Flight : May 18, 1973
Total Production : 434

The Soyuz-U is a medium, liquid propellant, three-stage, highly reliable, launch vehicle intended to place civil, research and special-purpose spacecraft as well as Soyuz and Progress spaceships into low Earth orbit. It can lift off from launch pads operating at the Plesetsk and Baikonur Cosmodromes. Once launched, the separation of the lateral rocket engine assemblies occur after the first stage burnout. The second stage assembly separates after burnout. The liquid propellant consists of a non-toxic mix of oxygen and kerosene. The first engine ignites on-the-ground allowing for launch abortion in comparison to Russian ICBM-based launch vehicles which ignite after ejection off the launch canister by gas or steam.

The third stage propulsion system consists of a four-chamber single-burn engine and four gimbaled steering nozzles which are used for three-axis flight control. Soyuz-U can place a payload of 7,200 kg, 6,600 kg, 6,300 kg into a circular orbit at an altitude of 200 km with 51-degree, 62.8-degree, 82,6-degree of inclination respectively. The final flight of a Soyuz-U rocket was performed on May 17, 2012, carrying a Kobalt-M satellite. The Soyuz-U was retired in 2012. The final launch of a Soyuz-U rocket was carried out on February 22, 2017.

Group : Space Launch Systems
Status : Retired - No Longer Operational
Also Known As : R-7
Origin : Russia
Contractor : Starsem
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : 1999
Total Production : 6

The Soyuz-Ikar uses the basic Soyuz vehicle with the Ikar upper stage which features an in-flight restart capability of up to 50 times. It is capable of lift payloads of 9,038 lb (4,100kg) to a Low Earth Orbit (LEO approx. 450 km) or a 7,275 lb (3,300 kg) payload to a Sun Synchronous Orbit (SSO).

The Soyuz-Ikar launch vehicle was utilized to put the 24-satellite Globalstar mobile communications constellation in six launches carried out between February and November of 1999.

Group : Space Launch Systems
Status : Retired - No Longer Operational
Also Known As : R-7, Soyuz-FG
Origin : Russia
Contractor : Starsem
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : 2000
Total Production : 23

The Soyuz-Fregat launch system includes the Fregat upper stage with more propellant charge and a restart capability as many as 20 times. It can perform a full range of missions ranging from put into orbit missions to Earth escape missions in support of outer space exploration spacecrafts (Mars Express).

The Soyuz-Fregat launch vehicle can deliver payloads of 11,022 lb (5,000 kg) to LEO (450 km altitude), or 8,818 lb (4,000 kg) to a Sun Synchronous Orbit (SSO 1,400 km altitude). The Soyuz-Fregat was retired in 2013.

Group : Space Launch Systems
Status : Active
Also Known As : R-7A, Soyuz-2.1b, Soyuz-2.1V (December 2013), Soyuz-2-1A, Soyuz-2-1B, Soyuz-ST
Origin : Russia
Contractors : Starsem, TsSKB Progress
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : October 19, 2006
First Flight : November 8, 2004
Total Production : 168
Unitary Cost : USD $40 million

The Soyuz-2 is a further development to extend the service life of launch vehicle Soyuz well into the second the decade of the 21st century. The Soyuz-2 features greater payload, improved injection into orbit accuracy and eliminates the usage of high-toxic fuel components. The Soyuz-2 development was split between Soyuz-2-1A and Soyuz-2-1B phases. The first Soyuz-2-1A was launched November 2004 carrying a test payload and put into orbit the MetOp-A meteorological satellite in October 2006. The first Soyuz-2-1B was launched December 2006 carrying Corot scientific spacecraft. The Soyuz-ST is a version designed for launch from the Kourou space center in the French Guiana. The Soyuz-2 has been designed as the replacement for current Soyuz-series and Molniya-M space launch vehicles.

The upgraded Soyuz-ST launch vehicle introduces an increased payload volume and weight to meet the increasing needs of international customers as well as a new digital flight control system to improve trajectory accuracy. Some parts of Soyuz/ST propulsion system have been reinforced and propellant tanks have been enlarged. The Soyuz-ST launch vehicle will carry a 10,800 lb (4,900 kg) payload to a Low Earth Orbit (LEO). Using Fregat upper stage, Soyuz-ST will deliver a 12,125 lb (5,500 kg) payload to LEO and a 10,141 lb (4,600 kg) to a Sun Synchronous Orbit (SSO).

The Soyuz-2.1V is a new light rocket launcher equipped with a powerful NK-33-1 engine and capable of delivering a payload of 2.8 tons into a Low Earth Orbit. The first launch of a Soyuz-2.1V rocket launch system was scheduled for early 2013 but finally was carried out on December 28, 2013. The Soyuz-2.1b performed its final launch from Plesetsk cosmodrome on February 5, 2025. The Soyuz-2.1a will remain active launching Soyuz Progress spacecraft.

Group : Space Launch Systems
Status : Under Development
Also Known As : Irtysh
Origin : Russia
Contractors : Starsem*, TsSKB Progress
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : 2026
First Flight : December 2025
Total Production : ?

The Soyuz-5 is a medium-class carrier rocket with a launch weight of about 530-ton and a 17-ton payload designed as the replacement for the Soyuz-2 rocket. The new space rocket will be powered by more eco-friendly fuel engines provided by Progress based upon liquefied natural gas. The Soyuz-5 flexibility will allow it to turn into a heavy-class rocket adding side blocks. The Soyuz-5 is not intended as a contender for the Angara rocket family which is under development within Russia as well. The Soyuz-5 draft design is slated for completion by the end of 2015 and first launch is scheduled for late 2023. In August 2023, the first launch was delayed to December 24, 2025. In October 2024, it was delayed to 2026.

Group : Space Launch Systems
Status : Under Development
Also Known As : Amur
Origin : Russia
Contractors : Starsem, TsSKB Progress
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : 2028
First Flight : 2027
Total Production : ?

The Soyuz-6 is a two-stage new medium-class carrier rocket capable of carrying a 17 ton payload to a Low Earth Orbit (LEO). The Soyuz-6 will be powered by the RD-171MV and the RD-180 rocket engines at the first and second stages respectively. The first test launch of the new space launch system was planned for 2023. The first test launch may happen in the 2027-2030 timeframe.

The Soyuz-6 space launch system may be intended to transport nuclear fuel to Low Earth Orbit in order to replenish the Zeus nuclear-powered tug spacecraft and the Lunar nuclear powerplant in the 2030s.