Space Energy has announced its plans to build Russia's first private cosmodrome in the Primorye territory, in the east of the country. Named Primorski, the complex will focus on launching ultra-light and light carrier rockets, as well as scientific and technological suborbital missions. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2026, and its design capacity will reach 50 launches per year.
Ballistic windows and safe routes over the Pacific 🚀
The choice of Primorye responds to specific ballistic criteria. From this latitude, efficient trajectories can be plotted towards sun-synchronous and polar orbits, which are in high demand for observation and communications satellites. Rocket stages will fall into safe zones of the Pacific Ocean, reducing risks on land. Furthermore, the location allows for a wide range of orbital missions without interfering with other air or sea corridors.
50 launches a year, or how to dream without taking off 🌌
The figure of 50 annual launches sounds ambitious, especially for a country that today settles for a few state launches per year. But of course, on paper, anything is possible. Space Energy promises light rockets and plenty of science, although for now, the only things taking off without a hitch are the press releases. We'll have to wait until 2026 to see if the smoke is from the engines or from the announcement.