Soyuz-2-3
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Soyuz-2-3 |
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RKK Energia * ROSKOSMOS
The Soyuz-2-3
launch vehicle would serve as an intermediate step between Soyuz-2 and Soyuz-3 launch
vehicles in the effort to upgrade the oldest family among Russian space boosters.
The concept of the Soyuz-2-3 emerged during 2005, when RKK Energia settled on the
Soyuz-based rockets as a launch vehicle for the prospective Kliper orbiter. The
Soyuz-2-3 would be capable of launching a "light" version of the Kliper spacecraft,
as well as the unmanned cargo container.
Like the Soyuz-3 launcher, the Soyuz-2-3 apparently
borrowed body dimensions for the 1st and 2nd stages from the Aurora project -- a
short-lived commercial venture aimed to launch the Soyuz-based rockets from Christmas
Island in the Indian Ocean.
The first stage, traditionally comprised of four conical strap-on boosters, would
be equipped with a new RD-0155 engine developed by KBKhA design bureau in Voronezh
and burning a mix of kerosene and liquid oxygen.
The top section of the 2nd stage (also known as "core" or "sustainer" stage) would
have a cylindrical shape with the constant diameter, as oppose to conical shape
in the earlier versions of the Soyuz rocket. It would enable the core stage of the
Soyuz-2-3 to carry as much as 40 tons more propellant in comparison to the core
stage of the Soyuz-2.
Like Aurora, the second stage would be equipped with the modified NK-33 engine.
The NK-33-1 engine would be able to develop up to 200 tons of thrust (from 150 tons
in the N-1 rocket) and it could be gimbaled up to 15 degrees, eliminating the need
for steering thrusters, traditionally present on all booster stages in the Soyuz
family.
Despite these improvements, the Soyuz-2-3 would be a less radical upgrade of the
family than the Soyuz-3 booster, since the former would not employ liquid hydrogen
on the third stage.
At the beginning of 2006, RKK Energia and TsSKB Progress
agreed to a three-stage development plan for the Soyuz-2-3 project. The first version
of the rocket would carry 11 tons into circular orbit delivering, commercial and
military satellites. In the second development phase, the payload would be increased
to 13 tons, thanks to the introduction of the RD-0155 engine on the first stage.
This would enable the vehicle to carry the "light" version of the Kliper. Finally,
during the third phase, the payload would grow to 15-16 tons and above, giving the
rocket enough power to launch the "heavy" version of the Kliper.
Soyuz-2-3v
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Meanwhile the first conceptions for the development the Soyuz-2-3 were changed. Unclear is the selected diameter of the upper part the core-stage. The core-stage is now in any case conical formed with a maximum diameter of 3.50-3.70 m. As always an gimbaled engine NK-33-1 should be used for the core-stage. The extended lower part of the core-stage has an diameter of 2.66 m. The boosters (first stage) should remain unchanged. They are identically with the boosters of the Soyuz-2. New is the cryogenic third stage (Block - E) with four engines RD-0146E. This Block-E was previously concepted for the Soyuz-3. The kick-stage can be a Fregat. |
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