Russia to Create New Powerful Plasma Rocket Engine – Roscosmos

The forward section of the experimental rocket, right, showing severalof the scientific instruments that will measure the dusty plasma © Photo: UWTODAY / @Todd Anderson

 

A Russian rocket engine company, with the assistance of a major research and development institute, will work on a project to create a powerful electrodeless plasma rocket engine, Russia’s Roscosmos space corporation said Wednesday.

Russia conducts surprise Soyuz 2-1A launch carrying Kobalt-M

Russia has launched its Soyuz 2-1A rocket in a surprise mission from the Plesetsk cosmodrome at 15:24 UTC. The launch, using a rocket that recently failed during the Progress M-27M mission, was clouded under secrecy due to its payload, the Kobalt-M spy satellite – rumored to be the final film-return photo reconnaissance spacecraft.

Soyuz 2-1A Launch:

The Soyuz 2-1 rocket is derived from the earlier Soyuz-U and the Soyuz 11A511 before that – and first flew in November 2004.

The rocket was intended as an eventual replacement for all of the Soyuz and Molniya variants then in service.