Will Russia's answer to the Falcon 9 rocket ever take flight?
Russia's state-backed space agency, Roscosmos, is struggling to develop its reusable Amur-LNG rocket, which was intended to compete with SpaceX's Falcon 9. Delays in the project suggest that Russia is falling behind in the global race for reusable launch technology.
Why it matters
The failure to innovate in rocket reusability highlights the challenges facing the Russian space program compared to the rapid advancements in the US and China.
Amur does not go BRRR Will Russia’s answer to the Falcon 9 rocket ever take flight? Grasshopper-like tests could begin in 2028.
15 Here's a schematic of the proposed Amur rocket. Credit: GK Launch Services Here's a schematic of the proposed Amur rocket. Credit: GK Launch Services Text settings Story text Size Small Standard Large Width * Standard Wide Links Standard Orange * Subscribers only Learn more Minimize to nav Everyone seems to be launching and landing rockets these days.
Last week, China joined the club of countries that have launched an orbital mission and brought its booster safely back to Earth, which is just the beginning of public and private ventures in that country aggressively pushing into rocket reuse. Also in Asia, Japan’s space agency has been conducting hop tests , and Honda recently performed vertical reuse tests .
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