Russia has stopped developing a super-heavy rocket to fly to the moon

Russia has stopped the technical design of a super-heavy rocket for flights to the moon, reported RIA Novosti Dmitry Baranov, General Director of the Samara Rocket and Space Center (RSC) Progress.

“In the RCC” Progress “, the work on the project” Elements of STK “is really stopped [сверхтяжелой ракеты]”, – he said.

According to Baranov, the work was stopped at the technical design stage. However, he did not rule outthat in the future they can be renewed if such a decision is made by Roscosmos. Now “Progress” together with the state corporation “is working to refine the program of the space rocket complex.”

In December, Roskosmos concluded a contract with the enterprise for “the development of key elements and technologies for the creation of a super-heavy missile complex.” It was planned that by this October “Progress” will complete the work. The chief designer of the Soyuz-5 launch vehicle, Alexander Cherevan, was appointed to supervise the work.

On the development of the first modules of the super-heavy launch vehicle “Yenisei” head of the state company Dmitry Rogozin reported last March. They wanted to complete its development in 2028. In December, the head of Roscosmos statedthat for flights to the moon, not new rockets will be used, but several “Angara” carriers. This decision was made by recommendations RAS. Four launches of these rockets to send astronauts to the moon will cost budget of 400 billion rubles.