Soyuz-M

Soyuz-M
Function Carrier rocket
Manufacturer OKB-1
Country of origin Soviet Union
Size
Height 50 metres (160 ft)
Diameter 10.3 metres (34 ft)
Mass 300,000 kilograms (660,000 lb)
Stages Two
Capacity
Payload to
LEO 		6,600 kilograms (14,600 lb)
Associated rockets
Family R-7
Launch history
Status Retired
Launch sites Plesetsk Cosmodrome
Total launches 8
Successes 8
First flight 27 December 1971
Last flight 31 March 1976
Notable payloads Zenit-4MT

The Soyuz-M (Russian: Союз, meaning "Union"), GRAU index 11A511M was a Soviet expendable carrier rocket designed by OKB-1 and manufactured by State Aviation Plant No. 1 in Samara, Russia. It was originally built to launch manned Soyuz 7K-VI spacecraft for the Soviet armed forces. Following the cancellation of this programme, development of the rocket continued for the Soyuz 7K-S spacecraft. After this too was cancelled, Soyuz-M development was also abandoned, and the rockets that had been completed were used to launch reconnaissance satellites.

While the exact details of the Soyuz-M are not known, it is believed to be a two-stage rocket, derived from the Soyuz. It may have been similar to the later Soyuz-U.[1] Following the cancellation of the Soyuz 7K-S, eight were launched with Zenit-4MT spacecraft.[1] The first of these launches occurred on 27 December 1971, and the last on 31 March 1976. All launches occurred from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, the first used Site 43/4, however the sites used by the subsequent launches were not recorded.


References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Wade, Mark. "Soyuz". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Retrieved 2009-04-16.