The Angara-A5 rocket was seen blasting off from Russia's Vostochny Cosmodrome on Thursday. It marked the third attempt to launch the country's first ever heavy-lift launch vehicle this week.

Footage shows the operator announcing the final preparations for the launch, and the rocket taking off from the launch pad.

Following the launch, Roscosmos stated that the Orion booster separated without any technical errors and 'is currently launching the test payload into the target orbit'.

"With this launch, flight and development tests of the Amur space rocket complex with Angara launch vehicles began at Vostochny [Cosmodrome]," the state corporation's press service added.

Previously, the launch was postponed twice due to a 'failure of the central unit oxidiser tank pressurisation system' and a 'failure in the engine start control system'.

The new rocket, according to Roscosmos, is environmentally friendly and does not use toxic fuel components, unlike its predecessor, the Proton-M.