Launch News How A Trampoline Rocket Was Tempered - Angara rocket's maiden flight, July 9, 2014

[orb]

Zero updates at T-10 minutes.

As someone said: "rocket launches are so routine these days that they don't require live coverage every time", or something like that (even if it's the maiden flight of the rocket).

 

[SiberianTiger]

The second stage and the dummy payload have reached Kura test range. Hooray!!!

 

[boogabooga]

Did the payload separate or was it meant to stay attached?

 

[SiberianTiger]

Did the payload separate or was it meant to stay attached?

It was meant to stay attached, I think.

The video of the launch is on TV Zvezda:
http://tvzvezda.ru/news/vstrane_i_mire/content/201407091539-oob6.htm#

 

[Cosmic Penguin]

 

[SiberianTiger]

Launch photos by my friend Denis Efremov:

 

[Cosmic Penguin]

 

[Unstung]

How does the cost of manufacturing five Universal Rocket Modules for Angara, plus its other stages, compare to building a Proton rocket, a launch vehicle Angara is designed to replace?

 

[SiberianTiger]

How does the cost of manufacturing five Universal Rocket Modules for Angara, plus its other stages, compare to building a Proton rocket, a launch vehicle Angara is designed to replace?

Awfully more expensive, but the reason of defenders of the Angara is that it should become cheaper when produced in big series (but still more expensive than the Proton). Plus Russia's going to save on paying compensation to Kazakhstan for risks collateral with launches of Protons and deposit of their debris (the Angara will fly from Russia's mainland space centers in Plesetsk and Vostochny).

 

[Unstung]

Awfully more expensive, but the reason of defenders of the Angara is that it should become cheaper when produced in big series (but still more expensive than the Proton). Plus Russia's going to save on paying compensation to Kazakhstan for risks collateral with launches of Protons and deposit of their debris (the Angara will fly from Russia's mainland space centers in Plesetsk and Vostochny).

I also read that Angara will not use hypergolic propellants unlike Proton. But the merits of Angara do not seem to outweigh the cost, and why would a more expensive design be chosen over a cheaper one that can also be launched from Russia? Or was Angara the best design to replace multiple launch vehicles?

 

[PhantomCruiser]

I'd read mostly it was political. To have an "all Russian" launch vehicle (in addition to cutting out Kazakhstan). When I was researching my Energia-M I'd read that many in the business were shaking their heads at stupidity by the choice of Angara, rather than choose a launcher with an existing infrastructure.

 

[SiberianTiger]

I also read that Angara will not use hypergolic propellants unlike Proton. But the merits of Angara do not seem to outweigh the cost, and why would a more expensive design be chosen over a cheaper one that can also be launched from Russia? Or was Angara the best design to replace multiple launch vehicles?

I suggest reading the magnificently written story by Anatoly Zak at russianspaceweb.com:

http://www.russianspaceweb.com/angara_origin.html

And also the other chapter overviewing the project: http://www.russianspaceweb.com/angara.html

 

[N_Molson]

It has the advantage to be much more flexible than the Proton, with various configurations available. Russian EELV. And yes, using Nitric Acid / Hydrazine has to stop, even though I love the Proton.

Nice to know it flown as expected.

 

[MattBaker]

Also let's just say the Proton isn't the most reliable thing on the market and leave it with that.

 

[Cosmic Penguin]

1-hour documentary about this launch!

Christmas goodies! Here's a one hour long Russian TV documentary about Angara's maiden voyage that details everything from engine production to the launch site at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome!

And thanks to someone's work we got English subtitles! :tiphat: