Light-class Soyuz rocket's first launch likely to be put off

An explosion during the hot tests of the first stage in the Soyuz-2.1v carrier rocket at a space rocket research institute in Peresvet outside Moscow will likely lead to the cancellation of the first launch of a similar rocket on schedule, in October.

"This will affect the schedule. No rocket will be cleared for launches if it fails any of the stand tests," Alexander Storozh, the first deputy general designer of TsSKB-Progress (Samara) said at the ILA-2012 international air show in Berlin.

He said he does not think the first launch of the light-class Soyuz is likely to be carried out from Plesetsk before the end of 2012.