Angara (rocket family)
The Angara rocket family is a family of space-launch vehicles currently under development by the Moscow-based Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center. The rockets, which are to provide lifting capabilities between 2,000 and 40,500 kg into low earth orbit, are intended to become the mainstay of the Russian unmanned launcher fleet in the future and replace several existing systems.
Contents |
Purpose
The main purpose of the Angara rocket family is to secure Russia's independent access to space. Angara will reduce Russia's dependency on the Baikonur Cosmodrome, located in the independent republic of Kazakhstan, and will allow Russia to phase out foreign - mostly Ukrainian - rocket technology.[1] Environmental issues have also played an important part in the development.[1]
Rockets belonging to the family are intended to replace several existing launch vehicles. The light Angara 1.1 and 1.2 versions will replace the Kosmos-3M, Tsyklon and Rockot launchers;[1] Angara 3 will replace the Ukrainian Zenit and Angara 5 will replace the heavy-lift Proton.[2] The Angara 5 version is expected to be most in demand, since this is the main version required by the Russian Ministry of Defence.[1]
Khrunichev has also been developing a super-heavy-lift version (Angara 7), which is capable of orbiting payload of between 45 and 75 tons, and for which there is no equivalent in Russia's current rocket fleet. However, currently the development of Angara 7 is not receiving government funding. In addition, Khrunichev has offered to build a version capable of launching manned spacecraft: Angara 5P.[1]
Design
The Angara rockets have a modular design similar to the EELV, based on a common Universal Rocket Module (URM). Depending on configuration, the first stage can consist of 1, 3, 5 or 7 such modules. Unlike EELV launchers, Angara will not employ solid rocket boosters (SRB).
The URM is a unitary structure that includes an oxidizer tank, a fuel tank (both tanks being coupled by a spacer) and a propulsion bay. Each URM will have one single-chamber RD-191 engine, using liquid oxygen and RP-1 as fuel. The RD-191 design is based on the RD-170 four-chamber engine used by the Energia launcher, as well as on the RD-171, which is currently used by the Zenit rocket.[2][3]
The second stage will be either a Briz-KM (Angara 1.1) or Block I (also called URM-2), which is powered by the RD-0124A engine developed by the KB Khimavtomatika.[4] Angara 5 will use either the Briz-M upper stage (currently used for the Proton-M rocket), or KVRB.[3] Most versions are intended for unmanned launches, but Angara A5P and Angara A7P are being designed to be capable of launching manned spacecraft.
A single launch pad can be used for launching all Angara versions.[3]
Launch facilities
The rockets will be launched from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, and the currently under construction Vostochny Cosmodrome, both in Russia. Russia hopes to reduce its dependency on Kazakhstan for the use of the Baikonur Cosmodrome, the location from which many of the current generation of Russian rockets are launched.[3] Under the Baiterek program with Kazakhstan, commercial launches of Angara A5 may also take place from Baikonur Cosmodrome.[1] In 2009, it was reported that a shortage of funds for construction of the Plesetsk launch pad was the main obstacle in Angara's development.[5]
Production and marketing
The serial production of the Universal Rocket Modules and the Briz-M upper stages will take place at the Khrunichev subsidiary Production Corporation Polyot in Omsk. In 2009, Polyot invested over 771.4 RUB (about $25 million) in Angara production lines.[1] Design and testing of the RD-191 engine is done by NPO Energomash, while its mass production will take place at the company Proton-PM in Perm.[1]
All Angara versions will be marketed for commercial launches, with the price for an Angara 1.1 launch estimated to be about $20 million.[2]
The Angara 1.1 version is expected to be completed first; its first launch will reportedly take place in 2012 from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome and in 2014 from Baikonur Cosmodrome.[6]
Derivative projects
The Korean launch vehicle Naro-1 uses Angara's URM (fitted with a lower-thrust version of the RD-191 engine called RD-151) as its first stage. The vehicle made its maiden flight on 25 August 2009. The flight was not successful since the payload fairing on the Korean-built second stage failed to separate; however, according to Khrunichev, the first stage performed flawlessly.
Together with NPO Molniya, Khrunichev is also developing the reusable Baikal launch vehicle, based on Angara's URM. The vehicle consists of one URM fitted with a wing, an empennage, a landing gear, a return flight engine and attitude control thrusters, to enable the rocket to return to an airfield after completing its mission.[7]
Specifications
| Version | Angara 1.1 | Angara 1.2 | Angara A3 | Angara A5P | Angara A5 | Angara A5/KVRB | Angara A7P | Angara A7V |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First stage | 1xURM, RD-191 | 1xURM, RD-191 | 3xURM, RD-191 | 5xURM, RD-191 | 5xURM, RD-191 | 5xURM, RD-191 | 7xURM, RD-191 | 7xURM, RD-191 |
| Second stage | Breeze-KM | Block I, RD-0124A | Block I, RD-0124A | -- | Block I, RD-0124A | Block I, RD-0124A | -- | -- |
| Third stage (not used for LEO) | -- | –- | Briz-M/KVSK[8] | -- | Briz-M/KVTK[8] | KVRB | KVTK-A7[8] | KVTK-A7[8] |
| Thrust (at ground) | 196 Mgf (1.92 MN) | 196 Mgf (1.92 MN) | 588 Mgf (5.77 MN) | 980 Mgf (9.61 MN) | 980 Mgf (9.61 MN) | 980 Mgf (9.61 MN) | 1,372 Mgf (13.44 MN) | 1,372 Mgf (13.44 MN) |
| Launch weight | 149 t | 171.5 t | 478 t | 713 t | 759 t | 776 t | 1,125 t | 1,184 t |
| Height (maximal) | 34.9 m | 41.5 m | 45.8 m | ? | 55.4 m | 64 m | ? | ? |
| Payload (LEO 200 km) | 2.0 t | 3.7 t | 14.6 t | 18.0 t | 24.5 t | 28.5 t | 36.0 t | 40.5 t |
| Payload (GTO) | -- | -- | 2.4/3.7 t | -- | 5.4/7.3 t | ? | ? | -- |
| Payload (GEO) | –- | –- | 1.0/2.0 t | -- | 2.9/4.5 t | 5.7 t | 7.5 t | 9 t |
Development history
On August 26, 1995 the government of Russia adopted a resolution to develop the Angara launcher system.[9]
On December 12, 2007 Krunichev announced that at NPO Energomash, engineers had successfully tested flight hydraulics and steering actuators for the first stage under near-flight conditions.[9]
In cooperation with Salyut Design Bureau, Khrunichev designed a reusable flyback Baikal booster rocket, to serve as a first stage in the Angara family.[10]
On April 14, 2008, Rian news agency reported that the Flight tests of a new-generation Russian space launch vehicle will start in 2010, the director of the Khrunichev State Research and Production Center said on Monday.
On September 5, 2008, the creator of the RD-191 engine, NPO Energomash, reported that the engine has completed full cycle of development and burn tests and is ready for manufacturing and delivery.[11]
On January 10, 2009, the first completed URM was delivered to the proving grounds. Cold and burn tests were planned to be performed in the first half of 2009.[12]
On April 29, 2009 the first series of cold tests has been performed. The URM was filled with nearly 100 tonnes of liquefied oxygen to check functioning of hydraulic and pneumatic pumping systems.
On June 18, 2009, both fuel components were used for tests.
On July 30, 2009, the burn tests of the first URM equipped with RD-151 engine were performed.[13]
On August 25, 2009 South Korea launched its Naro-1 rocket, with URM/RD-151 making up the first stage.[14] With height of 30 m and weight of 140 tonnes Naro-1 is similar to Angara 1.1 configuration. The launch marked the first flight test of the URM, which successfully propelled the rocket to altitude of 196 km, where the first stage separated. However, the fairing on the Korean-built second stage failed to separate, and the satellite did not reach the correct orbit.[15][16]
On December 5, 2009 Roscosmos announced the completion of engine trials, but that the first test flight of the Angara would be postponed from 2011 to 2012 due to lack of funding.[17] The Khrunichev center has asked the government to allocate an additional 10 billion rubles (about $290 million) over the next three years to finish the development of the rocket.
See also
- Comparison of heavy lift launch systems
Comparable rockets
- Titan IIIC
- Ariane 5
- H-IIA
- H-IIB
- Atlas V
- Falcon 9
- Delta IV
- Long March 5
- GSLV Mk III
- Naro-1 - uses URM-1 from Angara as the first stage
- Rus-M
- Proton
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Vorontsov, Dmitri; Igor Afanasyev (2009-11-10). Russia CIS Observer 3 (26). http://www.ato.ru/content/angara-getting-ready-launch. Retrieved 2010-01-03.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Harvey, Brian (2007). "Launchers and engines". The Rebirth of the Russian Space Program (1st ed.). Germany: Springer. ISBN 9780387713540.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "Angara Launch Vehicles Family". Khrunichev. http://www.khrunichev.ru/main.php?id=44. Retrieved 2009-07-25.
- ↑ "Russia's Angara rocket family needs cash injection". Flight International. 2009-05-05. http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/05/05/326046/russias-angara-rocket-family-needs-cash-injection.html. Retrieved 2009-07-25.
- ↑ Clark, Stephen (2009-12-04). "Russia Delays Angara Rocket Debut as Testing Progresses". Spaceflight Now. http://www.space.com/news/091204-angara-rocket.html. Retrieved 2010-01-03.
- ↑ The first Angara launch from Baikonur is delayed (in Russian)
- ↑ "Baikal Reusable Launch Vehicle". Khrunichev. http://www.khrunichev.ru/main.php?id=45. Retrieved 2010-01-03.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 "KVTK (in Russian)". Khrunichev. http://www.khrunichev.ru/main.php?id=52.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Successful Tests of Angara Stage 1 Engine". Khrunichev. 2007-12-12. http://www.khrunichev.ru/khrunichev_eng/live/full_news.asp?id=14884.
- ↑ Baikal booster stage. RussianSpaceWeb.
- ↑ "A new engine is ready for Angara (in Russian)". 2008-09-05. http://www.vz.ru/society/2008/9/5/203826.print.html.
- ↑ "URM-1 is being prepared for the burn tests (in Russian)". 2009-01-29. http://www.khrunichev.ru/main.php?id=1&nid=932.
- ↑ "Fire test of RD-191 engine in stage composition". 2009-08-03. http://www.npoenergomash.ru/eng/about/news/news_93.html.
- ↑ "First launch of KSLV-1 is conducted". 2009-08-25. http://www.npoenergomash.ru/eng/about/news/news_94.html.
- ↑ "Satellite fails to enter orbit, by Korea Times". 2009-08-25. http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/tech/2009/08/129_50676.html.
- ↑ "South Korea launch of KSLV-1 – Russians claim it failed". 2009-08-25. http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/08/south-korea-launch-of-kslv-1/.
- ↑ http://www.space-travel.com/reports/Tests_Of_Angara_Rocket_Postponed_To_2012_Over_Lack_Of_Funds_999.html
External links
- Angara family page by the Khrunichev Center (in Russian)
- Angara page by ESA
- Energia family, including Angara launch vehicle, at Encyclopedia Astronautica
- Angara family at RussianSpaceWeb
|
|||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
