Russia launches Angara-A5 rocket carrying satellites

KRASNOZNAMENSK / ARKHANGELSK, RUSSIA (JUNE 19, 2025) (USERS MUST CREDIT RUSSIAN MINISTRY OF DEFENSE” HANDOUT, MUST NOT OBSCURE LOGO —EDITORIAL USE ONLY) The Russian Space Forces successfully launched an Angara-A5 heavy-lift carrier rocket carrying satellites from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northwestern Russia on Thursday June 19 2025 the country’s Defense Ministry confirmed. The rocket which blasted off from the Arkhangelsk Region-based spaceport is part of Russia’s next-generation launch vehicle program designed to replace the older Proton-M rockets Unlike its predecessor the Angara family uses eco-friendly propellants—kerosene and liquid oxygen—reducing environmental impact. The Angara-A5 with a launch mass of 773 tons can deliver payloads of up to 24.5 tons to low Earth orbit (LEO) Russia plans to develop advanced variants including the Angara-A5M with enhanced payload capacity and the Angara-A5V featuring reusable first and second stages plus a hydrogen-powered third stage.(Footage by Russian Ministry of Defense /Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)