Angara

Nomenclature

The name Angara comes from the river in Siberia that drains Lake Baykal. It may not be a coincidence that Angara was also an early code name for the Plesetsk missile base. The Angara family of launch vehicles is modular and therefore includes several different configurations. These configurations are designated by a number that indicates the number of first-stage universal modules. The Angara 1 has a single first-stage core, whereas the Angara A3 adds two more of these modular units as strap-on boosters, and the Angara A5 has four strap-on boosters.

Cost

Commercial launch prices for Angara have not been announced. Although Angara is an official program of the Russian federal government, a general shortage of funds for space activities means that relatively little financial support is actually provided by either the Russian military or the Russian space agency, Federal Space Agency (FSA). Development costs are being paid primarily by Khrunichev from its commercial revenues, supplemented by a $40 million loan from Vneshtorgbank. In 1999 ILS agreed to pay a $68 million franchise fee for the marketing rights to Angara, but has not invested in the program. The Russian Defense Ministry is responsible for building the Angara launch facilities at Plesetsk. Promised funding was delayed until 2001, when state funding was received to begin construction.

Availability

The program will proceed directly to the Angara 5. The first launch of Angara A5 planned for 2006. The schedule is dependent on the availability of Russian government funding. Previously Angara had been scheduled to debut in 2001. Development of the launch vehicle is progressing relatively smoothly, but a lack of funds for the launch complex has delayed the first launch. Commercial Angara launch services are marketed by International Launch Services, which also markets Atlas and Proton.