Angara 1.2 | Kosmos 2591-2594
Angara 1.2 • Angara
📝 Mission Description
Russia's Angara 1.2 Propels Classified Military Satellites into Orbit
On August 21, 2025, Russia's space agency Roscosmos successfully executed a pivotal launch from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, deploying four classified satellites designated Kosmos 2591 through 2594 aboard the Angara 1.2 rocket. This mission underscores Moscow's ongoing efforts to bolster its orbital military infrastructure amid evolving geopolitical tensions. While details of the payloads remain shrouded in secrecy, analysts speculate they could enhance reconnaissance, communications, or electronic warfare capabilities, aligning with Russia's strategic priorities in space-based defense.
The mission's objectives center on augmenting the Russian military's satellite constellation, which has faced challenges from aging hardware and international sanctions. The Kosmos series, a longstanding designation for military spacecraft, often includes optical imaging, signals intelligence, or navigation assets. These four satellites, launched into low Earth orbit (LEO), are believed to possess advanced payload capabilities, potentially including high-resolution sensors or encrypted data relays. With a combined mass estimated at under 2,000 kilograms, the deployment demonstrates the Angara 1.2's efficiency in handling multiple small payloads, a flexibility that allows for rapid constellation buildup. This approach not only minimizes launch costs but also enables resilient networks resistant to anti-satellite threats, a growing concern in modern warfare.
At the heart of the mission is the Angara 1.2 rocket, a lightweight variant of Russia's modular Angara family. Developed by the Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center, the Angara series represents a shift toward indigenous technology, reducing reliance on Ukrainian components post-2014. The 1.2 configuration features a single Universal Rocket Module (URM-1) as the first stage, powered by an RD-191 engine burning kerosene and liquid oxygen, delivering about 192 tons of thrust. A Breeze-M upper stage provides precise orbital insertion, with a total height of approximately 42 meters and a liftoff mass of around 170 tons. Its payload capacity to LEO reaches up to 3.8 tons, making it ideal for small to medium satellites. The design emphasizes reusability potential and environmental considerations, using non-toxic propellants compared to the toxic hypergolics of older Proton rockets.
The Angara 1.2's performance history, while brief, shows promise amid early hurdles. This 2025 flight marks its third operational launch, following a successful debut in April 2022 and a subsequent mission in 2023
ℹ️ Official Details
4 classified satellites for the Russian military.
🎯 Post-Launch Analysis
The Angara 1.2 launch on August 21, 2025, carrying Kosmos 2591-2594, achieved a successful mission outcome with precise orbital insertion and payload deployment. The rocket demonstrated robust technical performance, marking a significant milestone for the Angara family in supporting Russian military operations. All four classified satellites were deployed as planned into their designated orbits, ensuring mission objectives were met without reported anomalies. Key engineering outcomes include validation of the Angara 1.2’s reliability for lightweight payloads and its adaptability for sensitive missions. This success reinforces confidence in the platform’s design and operational capabilities, paving the way for future military and potentially commercial applications. It also highlights Russia’s continued investment in modular launch systems, likely influencing the scope and frequency of upcoming Angara missions while strengthening strategic space capabilities. Further analysis of long-term satellite performance will provide additional insights.