UGLEGORSK, September 02./ITAR-TASS/. The number of launch pads for the heavy space rocket Angara may be reduced from the original four to two and the funds saved in that way invested in creating a new super-heavy rocket, the chief of Russia’s space agency Roscosmos, Oleg Ostapenko, has said.

He addressed this proposal to President Vladimir Putin while inspecting the Vostochny space port construction site in the Amur Region on Tuesday.

“We are building two launch pads for Angara here and another two in Plesetsk. I believe that four launch pads for the heavy rocket are not very rational. Two launch pads will be enough - one in Plesetsk and another here,” Ostapenko said.

He recalled that rockets launched from Vostochny, which was far closer to the equator, would be able to put in space 20% greater payloads.

“The saved funds may be invested into the super-heavy rocket,” Ostapenko said, adding that the image of a future rocket was already being worked on and production work might be launched next year.

The corresponding calculations and feasibility studies would be presented to the president later. Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin, who is accompanying Putin on his trip, supported the Roscosmos chief’s proposal.