Russia successfully test-launches Soyuz-5 rocket from Baikonur

Exam-focused facts from the 3 May 2026 current affairs briefing.

Key facts

Russia successfully test-launched its new Soyuz-5 rocket from the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
The Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) confirmed the flawless lift-off.
The Soyuz-5 is equipped with the world's most powerful liquid-fuelled engine.
The rocket can carry up to 17 metric tonnes into near Earth orbit.
The development aims to reduce launch costs and create new jobs in Russia and Kazakhstan.