Ikar (rocket stage)

Ikar was a multi- reignitable upper stage of the Soyuz rocket, which was used on different orbits for launching several satellites.

The name comes from Icarus ( Ikar - rus Икар, translated into German. Ikarus ).

Support of the development was the Franco- Russian consortium STARSEM. The Ikar stage was derived from the propulsion module of the Russian Kometa - reconnaissance satellites (Russian Янтарь ) and was used for civilian purposes to launch Globalstar satellites. Here were brought in 1999 six flights 24 Globalstar satellites into space, four piece per flight.

If you count the stakes as a drive module of the Jantar satellites were variants of the Ikar - Obertufe more than 170 times for use.

Ikar is no longer produced and was in 2000 replaced by the new and more powerful Fregat upper.

Technology

The main engine of the upper stage ( 17D61 of the design office Melnikov ) had a thrust of 2,943 kN and 16 control thrusters in groups of four. Ikar at launch weighs 3160 kg and has an empty weight of 820 kg. It has a length of 2.56 m, a diameter of 2.72 m and a focal length of 600 seconds. As fuel propulsion system, are used. Ikar can be both controlled by the control center, as well as work autonomously. Ikar can be up to 50 times to be ignited again and is thus suitable in different orbits also for launching several satellites. The combination Sojus-U/Ikar has a mass of 308 tons and a height of 47.285 m.