(MENAFN) Russia has successfully completed ground tests of the first stage of its Soyuz-5 rocket at a testing range near Moscow, according to reports from the Russian space agency.

The Soyuz-5 is a two-stage, medium-class launch vehicle capable of carrying up to 17 tons of payload, designed to replace the Proton and Zenit rockets. Officials previously stated that the first test launch is scheduled for December at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, with full operational deployment expected by 2028.

On Saturday, the space agency released footage showing the fire trails of the rocket’s first stage, marking the conclusion of ground testing. During these trials, the interaction between the first stage and the new RD-171MV engine was assessed. The engine, capable of generating 800 tons of thrust, performed for the intended 160 seconds.

Roscosmos has described the RD-171MV as the “Tsar-engine” because of its status as the most powerful engine in the world, producing energy comparable to that of a large power station.

The agency indicated that the successful ground trials “allow for the commencement of flight and design tests of the Soyuz-5 launch vehicle.” The rocket is intended to place unmanned spacecraft into various near-Earth orbits under the joint Baiterek project between Russia and Kazakhstan.

Last month, the head of Roscosmos announced plans to build and launch approximately 1,000 spacecraft and 300 carrier rockets over the next ten years as part of a national initiative to expand Russia’s space program. This would effectively double the current launch rate to as many as 30 missions annually.

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