“Kommersant”: the first manned launch from the Eastern postponed for two years – BBC

The first manned launch from Baikonur East will take place only after 2020. This writes the «Kommersant» , citing sources.

On April 13 corresponding initiative to Vladimir Putin asked Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin, and the head of Roscosmos, Igor Komarov, and, according to sources The head of state supported this initiative.

According to Rogozin and Komarov, the newspaper said, the creation of a new spaceport infrastructure for legacy launch vehicles and “Soyuz” has no meaning. Now planned to start using the launcher “Angara-A5V.” “Union” – this is our past and present, and we need to look to the future, so the choice was made in favor of “Angara” – said one of the sources.

It is noted that the decision to move the start was not spontaneous and discussed at various levels since the end of 2014.

Previous Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said that for embezzlement of money Baikonur East on yachts and mansions have to shoot.