# Baikal-Angara

> Re-usable rocket booster proposed for Angara carrier rocket

**Wikidata**: [Q4075513](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4075513)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baikal_(rocket_booster))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/baikal-angara

## Summary
Baikal-Angara is a proposed reusable rocket booster designed for use with the Angara carrier rocket family. It represents a reusable liquid-fuel booster intended to reduce launch costs and support sustainable space access.

## Key Facts
- **Instance of**: Reusable launch vehicle, liquid rocket booster
- **Also known as**: Байкал (МРУ)
- **Developer**: Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center, NPO Molniya
- **Country of origin**: Russia
- **Proposed for**: Angara carrier rocket family
- **Powered by**: RD-191 engine
- **Aliases**: Байкал (МРУ)
- **Image**: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Baikal_Rocket_at_the_UMMC_Museum_(August_2022)_-_1.jpg, with caption: "Полноразмерный макет в музейном комплексе УГМК в Верхней Пышме"
- **Freebase ID**: /m/0bbtvbc (reference: stated in 2013-10-28)
- **Wikipedia title**: Baikal (rocket booster)
- **Commons category**: Baikal (Reusable Launch System)
- **Wikipedia languages**: Commons, de, en, hu, ja, ru
- **Sitelink count**: 6

## FAQs

### What is Baikal-Angara?
Baikal-Angara is a proposed reusable rocket booster designed to be used with the Angara rocket family. It is intended to reduce launch costs by enabling partial or full reusability of the booster stage, aligning with the broader goals of reusable launch systems.

### What is the purpose of Baikal-Angara?
The purpose of Baikal-Angara is to serve as a reusable booster for the Angara carrier rocket, thereby reducing the cost of space access and increasing sustainability by reusing the most expensive parts of the launch system.

### Who developed Baikal-Angara?
Baikal-Angara was developed by Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center and NPO Molniya, two Russian aerospace entities.

### What engine powers Baikal-Angara?
The booster is designed to be powered by the RD-191 engine, a high-performance liquid rocket engine used in other Russian launch systems.

### Is Baikal-Angara currently operational?
No, Baikal-Angara remains a proposed system and is not yet operational. It is currently in the conceptual or developmental phase, with no recorded flights to date.

## Why It Matters
Baikal-Angara represents a strategic step in the evolution of Russian space launch capabilities. As a proposed reusable booster, it aligns with global trends toward sustainable space access by reducing the economic and environmental costs of launching payloads into orbit. Its development is part of a broader effort to modernize the Angara rocket family with reusable technologies, which could significantly lower the cost of access to space for Russian missions. The project also reflects Russia's commitment to competing in the global reusable launch vehicle market, where systems like SpaceX's Falcon 9 and Starship have already demonstrated cost advantages.

## Notable For
- Being designed for reusability, distinguishing it from traditional expendable boosters
- Integration with the Angara rocket family, a key component of Russia's future space launch infrastructure
- Use of the RD-191 engine, a proven and efficient propulsion system in Russian rocketry
- Development by two major Russian aerospace entities: Khrunichev and NPO Molniya
- Being part of a strategic move to modernize and reduce the cost of space access in Russia

## Body

### Design and Purpose
Baikal-Angara is a proposed reusable rocket booster intended for use with the Angara carrier rocket family. As part of the broader reusable launch vehicle (RLV) class, it is designed to reduce launch costs by enabling the reuse of its booster stage. This approach aligns with global trends in space launch technology, where reusability is a key factor in reducing the cost of access to space.

### Development and Engineering
The booster was developed by Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center and NPO Molniya, two leading Russian aerospace developers. It is designed to be powered by the RD-191 engine, a high-performance liquid rocket engine that has been used in other Russian launch systems. The RD-191 is known for its reliability and efficiency, making it a suitable choice for a reusable booster.

### Integration with Angara
Baikal-Angara is specifically designed to work with the Angara carrier rocket family. The Angara program is a cornerstone of Russia's future space access strategy, and integrating a reusable booster like Baikal-Angara into the system could significantly reduce the cost of launching payloads into orbit. This integration would allow Russia to compete more effectively in the global commercial launch market.

### Current Status and Operational History
As of now, Baikal-Angara remains a proposed system and has not yet been flown. It is currently in the conceptual or developmental phase, with no operational flights recorded. The system has not yet reached the stage of active testing or deployment, and its current status is best described as "planned" or "under development."

### Related Projects and Context
Baikal-Angara is part of the broader reusable launch vehicle (RLV) movement, which includes systems like SpaceX's Falcon 9 and Starship. These systems aim to reduce the cost of access to space by reusing the most expensive components of the launch vehicle. Baikal-Angara's development is aligned with this global trend, aiming to position Russia competitively in the reusable launch market.

### Public Presence and Documentation
The project is documented in six language versions of Wikipedia, including English, German, Russian, and Japanese. It has a dedicated Commons category titled "Baikal (Reusable Launch System)" and an image in the Wikimedia Commons, showing a full-scale model at the Uralmash Museum Complex in Russia. The project is also listed in Freebase with an ID of /m/0bbtvbc, with a reference date of October 28, 2013.

### Broader Implications
Baikal-Angara is part of Russia's strategic efforts to modernize its space launch capabilities. By incorporating reusable technologies, it aims to reduce the cost of access to space and support sustainable space operations. This aligns with global trends in space technology, where reusability is a key factor in reducing launch costs and increasing mission frequency.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013