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Russian carrier rockets: from transporting astronauts to commercial launches

New Russian heavy rocket was successfully test-launched from the Plesetsk space center on December 23

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New Russian heavy rocket Angara was successfully test-launched from the Plesetsk space center on December 23. Photo: Launch of Angara-A5 heavy booster

© Russia's Defence Ministry press service/TASS

Angara family rockets are able to put from 3,8 to 24,5 tonnes into low Earth orbit. Photo: Angara heavy-lift launch vehicle at the Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center

© ITAR-TASS/Anton Tushin

Various Angara rockets are developed - one light-class, three medium-class and five heavy-class space vehicles. The light-class model was tested on June 27, 2014. After tests, Russia plans to launch space vehicles of all types from its territory and ensure independent guaranteed access to space

© ITAR-TASS/Anton Novoderezhkin

At present time Russia can launch heavy satellites only aboard Proton rockets from Baikonur, which it leases from Kazakhstan. Photo: Proton-M rocket at the Baikonur Cosmodrome

© ITAR-TASS/Oleg Urusov

All Protons are built at the Khrunichev plant in Moscow. The latest version is the Proton M, which can place up to 22 tonnes in low Earth orbit. Photo: Proton-M rocket being transported to the launch pad at Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan

© ITAR-TASS/Oleg Urusov

Proton is widely used for launches of commercial satellites. Photo: The final preparations for launch of the Proton-M booster with American AMC-23 telecommunication satellite

© ITAR-TASS/Sergei Kazak

According to the European Space Agency, the most frequently used launch vehicle in the world is Soyuz. Photo: Soyuz-FG rocket booster and Soyuz TMA-11M spaceship launch with the Olympic torch on board at the Baikonur Cosmodrome

© ITAR-TASS/Mikhail Pochuyev

Soyuz rockets are the only providers of transport for astronauts at the International Space Station. Photo: Sochi Winter Olympic Games branded Soyuz FG rocket booster

© ITAR-TASS/Mikhail Pochuyev

Soyuz vehicles are also used to launch unmanned Progress supply spacecraft to the International Space Station and for commercial launches. Photo: Soyuz-FG booster rocket with the space capsule Soyuz TMA-15M

© AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky

Photo: Soyuz rocket as it is rolled out to the launch pad by train at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan

© EPA/NASA/Carla Cioffi/handout

Russian-Ukrainian Dnepr rocket is a converted ICBM used for launching artificial satellites into orbit. It is launched either from the Baikonur space site in Kazakhstan or from the Yasny space facility

© ITAR-TASS/Sergei Kazak

New Russian heavy rocket was successfully test-launched from the Plesetsk space center on December 23. Angara family rockets are able to put from 3,8 to 24,5 tonnes into low Earth orbit. Russia places serious hopes on the Angara. After tests, Russia plans to launch space vehicles of all types from its territory and ensure independent guaranteed access to space. It is one of priority projects of the Russian space industry. At present time Russia can launch heavy satellites only aboard Proton rockets from Baikonur, which it leases from Kazakhstan. Various Russian orbital launchers in photo gallery by TASS.

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