Construction of the Angara launch complex in Plesetsk has been rather slow, but apparently fairly steady. The Space Forces promise that the equipment will begin arriving in Plesetsk this year and in 2009 the launch complex will be ready. The first launch, however, is not expected until 2011.
At the same time, NPO Energomash is reporting progress in its work on a RD-191 engine that will power the first stage of the Angara launcher. The launcher is being designed by the Khrunichev GKNPTs design bureau.
The book
Comments
Pavel:
Is the Angara launcher a single type of rocket or a family of space launch vehicles like the Boeing Delta series? Most of the information I have gathered on the Angara program focuses on the new engine this system will introduce, one of the world's most powerful and sophisticated. Is this a competitor to the European Ariane expendable launch vehicles? And, is this new rocket designed for commercial & military satellite launch or manned flight?
Frank Shuler
USA
Frank: Angara will be similar to the EELV. It will use the kerosene/LOX RD-191 engine, which is a downgraded RD-171 (Zenit). The RD-191 has one combusting chamber, the RD-171 four. Also the RD-180 of the Atlas V is a downgraded version of the RD-171. The first version of Angara to fly is the Angara 1.1, using a single stage compareable to the Atlas 401 or Delta IV Medium. Further versions are the Angara 3 and Angara 5. The last one is capable of delivering about 25 t into LEO and uses multiple core stages similar to the Heavy versions of the EELV´s. It will be used for all purposes. First launches will be from Plesetzk, where a former Zenit launch site which was never used is under reconstruction. In Baikonur it was or is planned to establish the new launch site Baitarek, which used the former Energija/Buran pads. But this year construction of a new space center in the far east at the former Svobodny launch center starts, called Vostochny. Unmanned launches there should start in 2015, and in 2018 manned launches will follow, most probably using Angara. If these plans are successful, it could be the end of Baikonur. As Pavel reports, first launch of Angara 1.1 should occur in 2011, Angara 5 will follow in 2012. But this year, the korean KSLV-1 using the Angara first stage will launch from an south korean island. I thought the commercial launches would of Angara would be managed by ILS, but as I see now all hints on Angara have been disappeared on the ILS webpage.
http://www.russianspaceweb.com/angara.html
http://www.khrunichev.ru/khrunichev_eng/live/full_raket.asp?id=13187
Martin:
Thanks for the review and information. This cleared up several misconceptions for me.
Frank Shuler
USA
- Well, I can only add that RD-191 engine is at final stage of testing now: from the 100 tests planned, 67 was already performed, from the 22000 seconds testing runtime, 16500 seconds elapsed.
- So, RD-101 testing is 67 - 75 % complete.
> - So, RD-101 testing is 67 - 75 % complete.
- Sorry, my typo: RD-191, - not RD-101.
- I also need to add - 'Roskosmos' officials promised us, that '2008 will be a Year of Space in Russia': more than 60 space launches has been scheduled on this year.
- And finally, - a drawing of 'Angara' family (presently 4 launchers in family, based on a 'modular design' and suitable for delivery from 2 to 25 tonnes on 200-km LEO):
http://img149.imageshack.us/my.php?image=spaceruangarafamilyq108sy9.jpg
Who have Angara mission plan guide.pdf?
Thank you!