Russia’s Angara 1.2 rocket. Photo: Russian Ministry of Defence

[Via Satellite 07-16-2015] International Launch Services (ILS) is now actively marketing the Angara 1.2 launch vehicle along with the flagship Proton rocket, expanding the company’s range of launch options. Built by Khrunichev State Research and Space Production Center (Khrunichev), the majority owner of ILS, the Angara 1.2 can lift three metric tons to Low Earth Orbit (LEO). ILS is marketing the rocket for low and medium-lift missions, while Proton will meet heavy lift requirements.

The first Angara 1.2 vehicle will be available for launch in 2017. Launches will be conducted from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in Northern Russia. Angara 1.2 completed a successful flight demonstration on July 9, 2014 from the Plesetsk launch site, followed by the first flight of Angara 5 heavy-lift variant on Dec. 23, 2014. The Angara 5 will be available for Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO) missions in the 2021 timeframe, following completion of the Vostochny Cosmodrome launch site located in eastern Russia. Its next flight is planned for 2016 from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. ILS owns the exclusive rights to market the Angara vehicle to commercial customers.