Russia building Vostochny cosmodrome for independent space access

Moscow: To procure an independent access to space, Russia is building the Vostochny cosmodrome which will be Russia's first cosmodrome intended for civilian space projects. The Vostochny cosmodrome is being built in Uglegorsk in the Amur region and will occupy an overall territory of 700 sq km.

Russian Deputy Prime minister Dmitry Rogozin informed that the first launch from the cosmodrome will be made in December 2015 when two satellites will be sent into space, .

"By the end of 2015, we are (going) to build a launch pad, a technical complex and a nearby township," Rogozin said.

"After the construction of the launch pad, we will get down to the Angara heavy carrier rocket project," he said.

At present, Russia carries out planned manned space launches from the Baikonur cosmodrome, which Russia had leased from Kazakhstan.