Roscosmos has confirmed further delays to its Amur-LNG rocket, Russia's planned reusable answer to SpaceX's Falcon 9, with a working demonstrator not now expected to begin flight tests until 2028. The rocket, first unveiled in 2020 with a promised debut this year, is intended to eventually replace the ageing Soyuz 2 as Russia's main crew and cargo launcher, but the programme's timeline keeps slipping while rivals in the US and Asia race ahead with reusable rocket technology.

Dmitry Baranov, Roscosmos' Deputy Director General for Rocket Programs, told the RBC business publication that work is currently focused on a "demonstrator" first-stage hopper, similar to SpaceX's early Grasshopper test vehicle, with two test flights planned from 2028: an initial hop below 1km and a more ambitious 10km flight involving an engine restart and landing on deployable legs. A Roscosmos display in May had already indicated Amur-LNG flight tests would not begin until 2031, meaning the rocket's projected debut has slipped five years since its 2020 announcement. Meanwhile, China, Japan and several US firms including Blue Origin, Rocket Lab and Stoke Space continue to advance their own reusable rocket efforts.