Angara (rocket family)
Angara (Russian Ангара, named after a river in Russia, see Angara ) is the name of a family of launch vehicles, which is currently being developed in Russia from space company GKNPZ Khrunichev.
It should be similar to the U.S. Delta IV and Atlas V rockets modular and thus in varying degrees of versions available: Light Angara 1, medium-heavy and heavy Angara Angara A3 A5. The versions differ in the number of standardized booster, also common Rocket Module ( CRM) (Russian Универсальный Ракетный Модуль ( УРМ / URM ) ), in which such a booster in the light Angara 1 represents the first stage. The rockets are marketed by the Russian-American company International Launch Services, which markets the Proton rocket.
Use
The heavy Angara A5 to replace the proton gradually, they also intended to provide an independent access to space from Kazakhstan to the Russian military by to start with their heavy military satellite from Plesetsk from. Launchers for the Proton rocket, however, exist only in Baikonur, located on Kazakh soil.
Khrunichev the end of 2004 was commissioned by South Korea with the development of the first stage of KSLV -I launch vehicle that is based on the URM. The first launch of a KSLV - I was carried out in August 2009. Though the start was only a partial success as a whole, the first stage of the rocket worked flawlessly.
The initial launch of the Angara was first scheduled for 2011, had financial reasons but continues to be moved. Currently scheduled for mid 2014.
Technology
The first stage of the Angara, the URM is, from the RD- 191 engine (thrust: 2086 kN, specific impulse 3306 Ns / kg. ) Driven and burns kerosene - type RP -1 and liquid oxygen (LOX ). The engine is derived from RD -171, the main engine of the Zenit launch vehicle, but using instead of four combustion chambers of the zenith only a combustion chamber. The RD -171 is considered the world's most powerful ever built rocket engine, the American Atlas III and Atlas V rockets also use a RD -171 variant with two combustion chambers called RD 180. This reduces the thrust of the URM, and it can be used as a light carrier rocket. The moderate Angara A3 using three of these boosters, two of which are arranged around the central booster laterally, thus achieving about the performance of a missile zenith. The heavy Angara A5 uses five boosters ( one central and four lateral ) and thus comes to the payload capacity of a Proton rocket. The URM has a diameter of 2.9 m, 25.1 m long and has an empty weight of 9.75 tons.
The second stage of the Angara has a diameter of 3.6 m and a length of 6.9 m. It is powered by the RD- 0124A engine, which is also used in the third stage of the Soyuz - 2.1b rocket. The stage is called Blok I ( I stands for ' i') . The engine is a complete redesign and burns as well as the RD -191 is a mixture of RP -1 and liquid oxygen. As the second stage of the lightest version of the Angara 1.1 level used in the rocket Rockot Bris KM is used, all other versions use the new level one with the engine RD- 0124A.
As an advanced level of the Angara Angara A3 and A5 known by the Proton rocket Briz- M will be used. As an upgrade option is the high-energy KVRB level available, the liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen ( LH2/LOX ) burns. The KVRB based on the 12KRB stage, which is supplied by Russia to India for its GSLV rocket.
In developing the Angara has been taken to ensure that the existing launch sites of Zenit rockets can be used with only minor changes. The first launch in Plesetsk will be achieved from a formerly created for the Zenit launch site, which was never completed. We are currently working on the construction of the launch site. In addition to in cooperation with Kazakhstan in Baikonur launch a space for the Angara arise ( project Baiterek, Russian Байтерек ), but is only the heavy Angara A5 be started from there.
Baikal booster
2001 saw Khrunichev at the aerospace show in Le Bourget with the model of the Baikal - Boosters (Russian Байкал ) sensation. In the Baikal project a reusable booster is to be developed for the Angara rocket. Baikal is expected to replace the first stage of the rocket, but there are also powered by the RD -191 engine and also have smaller wings and an aircraft propulsion. This Baikal can automatically return to a nearby airfield, after separating from the rocket. Several bundled Baikal booster can be used in the Angara Angara A3 and A5. As of 2006, it was announced no financing of the Baikal project.
Versions
State of the data of the Angara - versions data is 2002. Payload capacity will be performed for departures from Plesetsk from Baikonur payload capacity is slightly higher.
There are plans for a Angara A7 - heavy transport rocket, which has seven bundled URMs and a payload of 41 tons into low-Earth orbit can bring. This missile would be interesting Russia should participate in the proclaimed by the United States international manned moon and Mars program.