Video: Ejection test of new nuke missile at Plesetsk

Russia’s scary Sarmat intercontinental ballistic nuclear missile is one step closer to being deployed.
March 30, 2018

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The pre-launch operation, a so-called ejection test, was successfully carried out at the space centre in Plesetsk in Arkhangelsk region on March 29, the Defense Ministry informs and posts a video of the test.

Sarmat, named SATAN-2 by NATO, will be Russia’s new super-heavy thermonuclear-armed ballistic missile, a core part of Vladimir Putin’s on-going modernization program for the silo-based missile forces.

The missile can reportedly carry a payload of about 10 tons allowing for up to ten heavy nuclear warheads, or 15 lighter ones with yields ranging from 150 kt to 1 Mt. Like the submarine based missile Bulava, also the Sarmat is said by Russian officials to be able to penetrate any American anti-ballistic missile systems.

An ejection test is not a full launch, but limits the firing to the first stage engine pushing the missile out of the silo and then into the air. Three months ago, on December 28, the first ejection test of Sarmat took place.

If further tests are successful, including long-range ballistic shootings, the missile is likely to be deployed by 2021.

Also on Thursday, a military satellite was launched from Plesetsk the Defense Minsitry says. Other than stating the satellite belongs to the space forces little information about the mission is given. The satellite is given the name Cosmos-2525. The rocket was a Soyuz-2 and the missile headed north from Plesetsk across the Kola Peninsula and further cross the Barents Sea towards Svalbard before entering orbit.

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