Russia's space agency successfully launched a heavy-lift rocket from a new facility on April 11 after two days of delays. The Roskosmos space agency said the Angara A5 rocked was launched with a test payload and had worked "normally," with the upper section separating and putting the test payload into orbit. The launch of the Angara A5 rocket was the first from the Vostochny Cosmodrome, whose construction has been plagued by cost verruns and corruption. The Angara, which has flown three previous test missions, is intended to replace an older Soviet-designed rocket in use since the 1960s.
Russia Says First Launch Of Angara A5 Rocket Successful After Delays
The Angara A5 rocket blasts off from its launchpad at the Vostochny Cosmodrome on April 11.