Roscosmos Pushes Amur Reusable Rocket to 2030, Focusing on 1st-Stage Demonstrator
Updated
Updated · Ars Technica · Jul 17
Roscosmos Pushes Amur Reusable Rocket to 2030, Focusing on 1st-Stage Demonstrator
1 articles · Updated · Ars Technica · Jul 17
Summary
Nearly 6 years after unveiling Amur-LNG, Roscosmos says the reusable rocket is now centered on building a first-stage demonstrator rather than nearing an inaugural launch.
Dmitry Baranov, Roscosmos deputy director general for rocket programs, told RBC the program remains in a development phase, marking a clear slip from the rocket’s original 2026 debut target.
Amur was designed as Russia’s answer to SpaceX’s Falcon 9, with a reusable methane-fueled first stage and a planned 10.5-metric-ton payload to low-Earth orbit in reusable mode.
The delay leaves Russia trailing a fast-moving reusable-launch race in which SpaceX flies routinely, Blue Origin has landed and reflown a large booster, and China and Japan are advancing their own tests.