The Amur-SPG, Russia’s next-generation reusable launch vehicle, has reached a significant stage with the successful completion of the first hot-fire tests of a functioning prototype of its new RD-0169A oxygen-methane rocket engine. The Chemical Automatics Design Bureau (KBKhA) in Voronezh has developed the engine, which is intended to provide the first stage of the future medium-class rocket with approximately 100 tons of propulsion. The first stage will be equipped with five RD-0169A engines, which will generate the necessary thrust for the launch, controlled descent, and recovery of the booster.
The successful tests, which were conducted in autumn 2026, are a major step in Russia’s pursuit of the introduction of reusable launch technology and the reduction of the cost of delivering payloads into orbit. The program is a component of the Russian space industry’s initiative to create a domestically designed launch vehicle that is competitive in the reusable rocket market, which is becoming increasingly significant.
RD-0169A: A New Generation of Russian Methane Rocket Engines
KBKhA, which is a member of the integrated rocket-engine manufacturing structure overseen by NPO Energomash, is currently in the process of developing the RD-0169A. Unlike the conventional kerosene-powered rocket engines that are currently used in many Russian launch vehicles, the new engine is powered by a combination of liquid oxygen and liquefied natural gas, with methane being the primary fuel.
The engine uses a closed-cycle staged-combustion architecture that includes oxidizer-rich preburner gas afterburning. The turbopump machinery is powered by the gas generated during preliminary combustion in this configuration. Subsequently, the gas is directed into the main combustion chamber, where it contributes to the final combustion process. The engine is capable of achieving high performance and efficient propellant use through this method.
The RD-0169A is intended to generate a thrust of approximately 100 tons at sea level, which is equivalent to approximately 980 kilonewtons. The architecture has been designed to facilitate recurrent operation, with a target service life of up to ten uses. This capability is especially significant because the engine is not designed to merely propel a disposable rocket stage into space. It is also necessary to support the return and landing of the first-stage booster.
The RD-0169A was developed after several years of engineering work, which included compiling technical documentation, preliminary design, and the development of individual engine components. The project is an important step in Russia’s transition to methane-powered rocket propulsion.
Five Engines to Power the Reusable Amur Rocket
Russia’s Amur-SPG medium-class launch vehicle is the specific target of the RD-0169A’s development. A two-stage system with vertically piled stages and a reusable first-stage architecture.
The proposed launcher has a maximal length of 62.7 meters, a stage diameter of 4.1 meters, and a liftoff mass of approximately 380 tons. The first stage will be equipped with five RD-0169A engines, which will produce a combined sea-level thrust of approximately 500 tons.
This engine configuration is designed to deliver the necessary performance for the rocket’s initial ascent while still enabling the execution of the intricate maneuvers necessary for booster recovery. The first stage is expected to execute a controlled descent and landing following stage separation, thereby enabling the use of the most expensive propulsion and structural components.
The first-stage booster is intended to be reused up to 50 times in the program. Although the engines are intended for a maximum of ten uses, their serviceability, inspection, and refurbishment will be critical components of the overall recovery system.
Amur-SPG’s Performance and Payload Capacity
Amur-SPG is expected to transport a minimum of 9.5 tons of payload into a low Earth orbit at an altitude of 200 kilometers and an inclination of 51.6 degrees in its reusable configuration.
Additionally, the launcher will be compatible with the Fregat upper stage, which will enhance its capacity to place satellites in orbits with greater energy. The rocket is anticipated to launch approximately six tons into a sun-synchronous orbit and up to 1.2 tons into a geostationary orbit with Fregat.
The Amur-SPG is designed to be a versatile launch platform for commercial satellite operators, government spacecraft, and other orbital missions by combining a reusable first stage with an adaptable upper-stage configuration.
The program places a high value on the development of a methane-powered propulsion system. Compared to conventional kerosene-oxygen propulsion, methane and liquid oxygen present numerous operational advantages. Methane has the potential to facilitate engine inspection, cleaning, and refurbishment between flights by producing fewer carbon deposits during combustion. This is a critical factor to consider when designing a launch vehicle that is anticipated to operate with the same booster on multiple occasions.
Additionally, liquefied natural gas offers a logistical advantage. The Vostochny Cosmodrome has the necessary infrastructure to supply liquefied natural gas. This has the potential to decrease the complexity and cost of transporting propellant to the launch site.
Russia’s Reusable Rocket Programme Targets Lower Launch Costs
Amur-SPG’s economic objective is to decrease the cost of launching payloads into orbit by recovering and reusing the first stage, as opposed to building a new booster for each mission.
According to Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, the prototype methane engine for Amur-SPG has successfully completed hot-fire testing on October 28, 2026. During a government session in the Federation Council, the announcement was made. He also confirmed that development of the rocket with a recoverable first stage was continuing.
Roscosmos representatives also addressed the economic objectives of the program during the Russian Engineer Congress in October 2026. The state corporation is aiming to reduce the cost of launch-service from approximately 600,000 rubles per kilogram of payload to 200,000 rubles by 2030. Amur-SPG and reusable launch technology are anticipated to aid in this process.
However, these figures represent programme targets rather than established commercial launch prices. The exact economics will be contingent upon the number of successful booster recoveries, the frequency of launches, the refurbishment requirements, and the cost of manufacturing.
Development Timeline and Next Testing Stages
The successful hot-fire test is an important achievement, but several stages of development remain before the RD-0169A can be cleared for operational use.
To assess the engine’s reliability, performance, and operating characteristics in various environments, the next phase will involve a sequence of autonomous ground tests. Integrated testing of the propulsion system will be conducted next to these tests as part of a first-stage test article.
The RD-0169V, a unique high-altitude version, is also included in the development program and is designed to provide power to the second stage. A common propulsion architecture will be established across both stages of the launcher through the integration of methane engines that are optimized for altitude and sea level.
The initial flight experiments of Amur-SPG are scheduled for 2031, as per Roscosmos. The agency has also considered the development of a reusable first-stage demonstrator, which will be subjected to flight tests that include vertical take-off, controlled descent, and landing.