The first test launch of a heavy version of the “Angara” carrier rocket will be held in the period from 20 to 30 December 2014, all preparatory works for the launch go as scheduled, the commander of the aerospace defense Lieutenant General Aleksandr Golovko told to the reporters on Saturday.

      “The works at the space port go in accordance with the schedule. We are to perform experimental test works at the launching site in November” – Golovko said. Answering to the question from RIA Novosti about the scheduled launch date, the commander said that the decision will be taken by the state commission, but as for today, the “launch window is from 20 to 30 December”.

      The “Angara” is created by the Centre named after Khrunichev and includes carriers of different classes - from light to heavy ones with the capacity from 1.5 to 35 tons. The launch of a heavy version of “Angara” from Plesetsk is scheduled for the end of 2014. The first manned flight of the heavy “Angara” had to be performed in 2018 from the Vostochny space port in Amur Oblast. The first test launch of the light class “Angara” was successfully carried out from the “Plesetsk” space port on July 9.