“According to preliminary calculations, the new rocket system, being created can begin providing flight tests, as early as 2026. It is intended to carry out a phased replacement of the existing family of Soyuz-2 launch vehicles,” claimed a Roscosmos statement.
Amur rocket design is similar to Falcon 9
The SpaceX-designed Falcon 9 reusable rocket recently sent two NASA astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS). The design similarities of the Amur rocket to the Falcon 9 may be a sign that Russia is trying to compete in a renewed “space race.”
“We would like our rocket to be reliable, like a Kalashnikov assault rifle,” said Alexander Bloshenko, the executive director of Roscosmos, Advanced Programs and Science Program.
The plan for Amur’s first stage is to fly 10 missions during the initial test phase. It is no coincidence that American company SpaceX plans to fly the Falcon 9’s first stage for the tenth time in 2021.
Almost everything about the Amur rocket design is similar to the Falcon 9. The Armur is a smaller version that is supposed to be able to lift twice as much weight into orbit.
