Overview
- First Vice Premier Denis Manturov said a specially modified Proton‑M for the station’s Scientific‑Energy Module has been manufactured.
- Proton‑M will be used only for that module, which is planned to launch from Baikonur.
- Other large modules are assigned to launch on Angara‑A5M, while smaller modules will ride Soyuz‑2.1b.
- The first three modules and Soyuz ROS crew ships are slated to lift off from Baikonur, with subsequent station launches expected from Vostochny.
- Angara rockets burn kerosene and liquid oxygen viewed as more environmentally benign than Proton’s propellants, with planned variants including A5M for higher lift and A5V with reusable stages and a hydrogen upper stage.