Russia Delays Soyuz-5 Rocket Launch Amid Sanctions and Technical Challenges
Russia's state space corporation, Roscosmos, has announced a delay in the debut launch of the Soyuz-5 rocket, a potential competitor to SpaceX's commercial operations. The postponement stems from the need for additional testing of onboard systems and ground equipment. Initially slated for late 2024, the new launch date remains uncertain pending further coordination.
The Baiterek project, a joint venture between Russia and Kazakhstan, will host the launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. International sanctions following Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 and its 2022 invasion of Ukraine have severely hampered the rocket's development, restricting access to critical technologies.
These setbacks highlight the broader challenges facing Russia's space ambitions as geopolitical tensions disrupt supply chains and delay key milestones in its space program.
