Soyuz-5 (Irtysh) Medium-Launch Vehicle Completes Maiden Flight
Summary: Russia's next-generation medium-class launch vehicle, Soyuz-5 — also known as Irtysh — successfully completed its maiden flight test at 11:00 UTC on April 3, 2026, from Launch Complex 45/1 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The test flight carried a mass simulator to validate the rocket's systems. Developed jointly by Russia and Kazakhstan, Soyuz-5 is designed to replace the Zenit-2 and Proton Medium launch vehicles, and its first stage will serve as the foundation for the planned Yenisey super-heavy rocket capable of lifting 100 tons to low Earth orbit.
Credit: RocketLaunch.Live
Program Background
The Soyuz-5 program, previously known as Sunkar/Fenix, is a joint Russian-Kazakh initiative aimed at modernizing the launch infrastructure at Baikonur. Key objectives include:
- Replacing legacy vehicles: Superseding the Zenit-2 and medium-class Proton rockets
- Sustaining Baikonur operations: Maintaining the cosmodrome's relevance as Vostochny assumes a growing role as Russia's primary spaceport
- Super-heavy foundation: The Soyuz-5 first stage will be used in the planned Yenisey super-heavy launch vehicle, designed for a 100-ton LEO payload capacity
Full-scale static fire testing of the integrated first stage was completed in March 2025.
Flight Overview
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Vehicle | Soyuz-5 (Irtysh) |
| Launch Site | Baikonur Cosmodrome, LC-45/1 |
| Launch Time | April 3, 2026, 11:00 UTC |
| Payload | Mass simulator |
| Operator | Roscosmos |
The uncrewed test mission was designed to validate the airframe, propulsion, avionics, and ground support systems. A successful maiden flight paves the way for operational satellite deployment missions.
Sources (original pages)
Launch time is UTC. Flight results pending official Roscosmos confirmation.