# Angara

> family of space-launch vehicles

**Wikidata**: [Q530600](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q530600)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angara_(rocket_family))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/angara

## Summary  
Angara is a Russian family of expendable space‑launch vehicles developed by the Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center and manufactured by Production Corporation Polyot. The modular rocket series replaces the older Proton launch system and includes variants ranging from small‑lift (Angara‑1.2) to heavy‑lift (Angara‑A5) capabilities.

## Key Facts  
- **Rocket family**: Angara is classified as an *expendable launch vehicle* and a *rocket family* (subclass of expendable launch vehicle).  
- **Country of origin**: Russia.  
- **Developer**: Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center.  
- **Manufacturer**: Production Corporation Polyot.  
- **Propulsion**: All Angara rockets are powered by the RD‑191 engine.  
- **Replaces**: The Angara family was designed to replace the Proton launch vehicle.  
- **Variants**: Includes Angara‑1.2 (small‑lift), Angara‑A3 (medium‑lift), Angara‑A5 (heavy‑lift), and the cancelled Angara‑1.1.  
- **Modular design**: The family shares common core stages, allowing the same hardware to be assembled into different lift‑capacity configurations.  
- **Named after**: The Angara River in Siberia.  
- **Image**: ![Angara diagram](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Angara_1.2_A5.svg)  

## FAQs  
### Q: What is the Angara rocket family?  
A: Angara is a series of Russian expendable launch vehicles that cover a range of payload capacities, from small satellites to heavy payloads, using a common modular architecture.  

### Q: Which rockets belong to the Angara family?  
A: The family includes Angara‑1.2 (small‑lift), Angara‑A3 (medium‑lift), Angara‑A5 (heavy‑lift), and the cancelled Angara‑1.1.  

### Q: Why was Angara developed?  
A: Angara was created to replace the aging Proton launch system, providing a more flexible, domestically produced launch capability for a variety of missions.  

### Q: Who builds the Angara rockets?  
A: Development is led by the Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center, while final manufacturing is performed by Production Corporation Polyot.  

### Q: What engine powers Angara rockets?  
A: All Angara variants use the RD‑191 liquid‑propellant engine.  

## Why It Matters  
Angara represents a strategic shift for Russia’s space launch capability. By consolidating multiple lift‑capacity classes into a single, modular family, Russia reduces reliance on a single heavy‑lift vehicle (Proton) and gains greater flexibility for both commercial and governmental missions. The use of the domestically produced RD‑191 engine enhances supply‑chain independence, while the modular design shortens development cycles for new variants. This adaptability positions Angara to support a broad spectrum of payloads—from low‑Earth‑orbit satellite constellations to interplanetary probes—thereby strengthening Russia’s presence in the increasingly competitive global launch market.

## Notable For  
- **Modular architecture** that enables a single core stage to be scaled for different payload masses.  
- **Replacement of Proton**, providing a modern, Russian‑made alternative for heavy‑lift launches.  
- **Unified propulsion** across all variants via the RD‑191 engine, simplifying logistics and maintenance.  
- **Broad lift‑capacity range**, covering small‑lift (Angara‑1.2) to heavy‑lift (Angara‑A5) missions within one family.  
- **Development by Khrunichev**, Russia’s premier launch‑vehicle design bureau, ensuring continuity with the nation’s historic launch expertise.  

## Body  

### Overview  
Angara is an expendable launch vehicle family designed to serve a wide array of orbital and deep‑space missions. Its modular approach allows the same core hardware to be configured for payloads ranging from a few hundred kilograms to over 30 tonnes to low Earth orbit.

### Development and Manufacturing  
- **Developer**: Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center, the same organization behind many historic Soviet and Russian rockets.  
- **Manufacturer**: Production Corporation Polyot, responsible for final assembly and integration.  
- **Goal**: Provide a domestically produced, flexible launch system that supersedes the Proton vehicle and reduces dependence on foreign components.

### Variants  
| Variant | Lift‑capacity class | Status |
|---------|--------------------|--------|
| Angara‑1.2 | Small‑lift | Operational |
| Angara‑A3 | Medium‑lift | Planned/Development |
| Angara‑A5 | Heavy‑lift | Operational |
| Angara‑1.1 | Small‑lift (cancelled) | Cancelled |

Each variant shares the same RD‑191 engine and core stage, with additional strap‑on boosters added for higher thrust when required.

### Technical Specifications  
- **Engine**: RD‑191, a single‑chamber, staged‑combustion liquid‑propellant engine.  
- **Propellants**: RP‑1 kerosene and liquid oxygen (LOX).  
- **Structure**: Carbon‑composite and aluminum alloy tanks, designed for reusability of ground support equipment but not the vehicle itself.  

### Operational Context  
Angara’s first flights have demonstrated its capability to place payloads into a variety of orbits, supporting both scientific missions (e.g., lunar and Venus probes) and commercial satellite deployments. Its modularity also makes it suitable for future lunar or deep‑space exploration concepts.

### Related Projects  
- **Luna 28**: A proposed lunar mission that could be launched on an Angara vehicle.  
- **Venera‑D**: A proposed Russian Venus probe that may also use Angara for launch.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Angara",
  "description": "Family of Russian expendable space‑launch vehicles developed by the Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center.",
  "additionalType": "RocketFamily"
}

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013