Progress exhibiting in force at MAKS

The company is one of Russia’s leading space industry enterprises

Samara-based Progress Rocket Space Center (PRSC) is displaying scale models of medium-range launch vehicles at MAKS 2017, including the Soyuz-FG, Soyuz-2 (along with its lighter version, the Soyuz-2-1v), and the Soyuz-ST, and also models of the Earth observation satellites Resurs-P and Obzor-P, the Bion-M space mission, and a small experimental space vehicle, the Aist-2D. The original of the latter was inserted into orbit on April 28, 2016, as part of the first launch out of Russia’s new Vostochny Cosmodrome.

Experts expect announcements of PRSC’s new projects to be made at this year’s MAKS. Of particular interest is the Soyuz-5, a two-stage medium-range launch vehicle currently under development to replace the Zenit family of rockets for launches from Baikonur, Vostochny, and the Sea Launch site. The Soyuz-5 is also intended to be used as part of a planned heavy-lift launch system for Russia’s future Federation program. Federation is expected to eventuate in missions to the Moon and perhaps farther a field.

By Igor Afanasyev