Import substitution led to the impossibility of Sfera-V satellites for modern launch vehicles

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation had to order an additional four Meridian communication satellites instead of the devices of the new generation Sfera-V. These satellites will not be able to launch in the near future (at least 3 years) due to the fact that they became too heavy after replacing a number of imported parts with domestic ones, Interfax reports. As a result, modern launch vehicles simply will not be able to lift them.

“Problems with import substitution, in particular, through the electronic component base, have led to a significant increase in the mass of devices of the“ Sphere-B ”type. It turned out that the Proton-M, Angara-A5 launch vehicles currently existing in Russia are not able to launch satellites of this type into a new, Russian configuration, into a highly elliptical orbit, a source close to the Ministry of Defense commented on the situation.

Instead of "Sphere-B", the Ministry of Defense had to order an additional four Meridian communication satellites, with a total cost of 14 billion rubles.
')
Earlier, Sfera-V type satellites were planned to be launched in 2018, but now the launch will take place no earlier than 2021. And for launch, you can only use a new modification of the heavy rocket of the Angara-A5 type, which domestic specialists have only to develop. Its creation is included in the plans for the development of the space industry for the period 2016-2025.