Russia Conducts Final Launch of Soyuz-2.1b Space Launch System from Plesetsk Cosmodrome

The Soyuz-2.1v launch vehicle, launched yesterday from the Plesetsk cosmodrome, will no longer be used for space launches, a source in the rocket and space industry told RIA Novosti.

On February 5, combat crews of the space troops of the Aerospace Forces launched a light-class launch vehicle "Soyuz-2.1v" with spacecraft from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in the Arkhangelsk Region in the interests of the Russian Ministry of Defense.

"The launch on February 5 was the last for Soyuz-2.1v. No more launches of this model are planned," the RIA Novosti source said .

The Soyuz-2.1v rocket was developed on the basis of the Soyuz-2.1b, but without the four side blocks and using the NK-33 engine instead of the RD-108A. The NK-33 was originally created in the 1960s for the N-1 super-heavy launch vehicle, but the engine was redesigned after unsuccessful test launches. A small stock of the engine, remaining in warehouses, was used in the launches of the Soyuz-2.1v.

The first launch of this rocket took place on December 28, 2013: in total, 13 such launches have been conducted from the Plesetsk cosmodrome. It is noted that the Angara-1.2 rocket, similar in carrying capacity to the Soyuz-2.1v, is currently being produced in Russia, and it is planned to develop the Rokot-M conversion rocket and create a complex of Start-1M conversion light rockets based on the Topol intercontinental ballistic missiles.

The previous launch from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome of the Soyuz-2.1b rocket with a satellite for the needs of the ministry took place in early December 2024.

Source: Russia Conducts Final Launch of Soyuz-2.1v Rocket

Resources

Aerospace Forces : Angara 1.2PP
Aerospace Forces : Rokot-M
Aerospace Forces : Soyuz-2
Aerospace Forces : Start-1M

Russia