Tsyklon-2

Tsyklon-2 (Tsiklon-2/Tsyklon-M)

Tsyklon-2
Function Carrier rocket
Manufacturer Yuzhmash
Country of origin Soviet Union (Ukraine)
Size
Height 39.7 m[1] (130.2 ft)
Diameter 3 m (9.8 ft)
Mass 182,000 kg (401,000 lb)
Stages 2
Capacity
Payload to LEO 2,820 kg (6,210 lb)
Associated rockets
Family R-36, Tsyklon
Comparable Delta II
Launch history
Status Retired (presumed)
Launch sites Baikonur Cosmodrome LC-90
Total launches 106
Successes 105
Failures 1
First flight 6 August 1969
Last flight 24 June 2006
Notable payloads IS-A/IS-P
RORSAT
EORSAT
First stage – 11S681
Engines 1 RD-251
Thrust 2,640 kN (593,4090 lbf)
Specific impulse 301 sec
Burn time 120 seconds
Fuel N2O4/UDMH
Second stage – 11S682
Engines 1 RD-252
Thrust 940 kN (211,410 lbf)
Specific impulse 317 sec
Burn time 160 seconds
Fuel N2O4/UDMH
Third stage
Engines 1 RD-861
Thrust 77.96 kN (17,526 lbf)
Specific impulse 317 sec
Burn time 112 seconds
Fuel N2O4/UDMH

The Tsyklon-2 (cyclone-2), also known as Tsiklon-2 and Tsyklon-M, GRAU index 11K69, is a Ukrainian, previously Soviet orbital carrier rocket. A derivative of the R-36 ICBM, and a member of the Tsyklon family, it made its maiden flight on 6 August 1969, and has made 106 flights, the most recent on 24 June 2006 being its penultimate launch. It is the most reliable active carrier rocket currently in use, having failed only once, and the second most reliable carrier rocket overall, behind the Atlas II. It is being retired in favour of future modern and all-Russian carrier rockets, such as the Angara.

Having not flown since 2006, it was believed to have been retired when it was reported that the Tsyklon family of rockets was out of service following the final Tsyklon-3 launch in 2009, however in 2012 it was reported that one more remained to be launched, which was expected to carry the last US-P satellite into orbit in mid-2012.[2] As of August 2013 that launch has not taken place, and no longer appears on launch schedules, leaving the Tysklon-2's status unclear.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Tsiklon-2". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Retrieved 25 July 2013.
  2. ↑ Zak, Anatoly. "Space Exploration in 2012". RussianSpaceWeb. Retrieved 27 February 2012.
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