Since 1962, the Yuzhnoye Design Bureau began the development of the R-36orb ICBM (the R-36 strategic missile system with the 8K69 orbital missile). This rocket could carry a relatively light warhead into low orbit, and after that a nuclear strike against ground targets was delivered from space. Flight tests began in 1965 and were completed on May 20, 1968.
Adopted by the decree of the Government of the USSR of November 19, 1968 No.
The R-36Orb made it possible to throw a nuclear warhead into low-earth orbit in order to strike the enemy at any orbit, "deceiving" the US early warning system.
The first and only regiment with 8K69 orbital missiles took up combat duty on August 25, 1969. at NIIP-5. The regiment deployed 18 launchers.
Orbital rockets 8K69 were removed from combat duty in January 1983. in connection with the conclusion of the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT-2), which stipulated a ban on such systems.
On the basis of the R-36orb ICBM, the Cyclone-2 space launch vehicle was created, and from the late 1960s to the present day it has been launching various spacecraft into Earth's orbit from the Baikonur cosmodrome.
Later, the Cyclone-3 space launch vehicle was designed on its basis for the northern Plesetsk test site:
number of stages Payload
11K67- "Cyclone-2A" 2 IS ASAT
11K69 - "Cyclone-2" 2 US-A, -P, -PM
11K68 - "Cyclone-3" or "Cyclone-M" 3 Meteor, Ocean, Celina-D / R
The Cyclone-4 launch vehicle is designed for prompt, high-precision launch into circular, geostationary, sun-synchronous orbits of one or a group of spacecraft for various purposes.
This is the newest and most powerful version of the Cyclone launch vehicles. LV series "Cyclone" have been in operation since 1969. (Cyclone-2) and have established themselves as the most highly reliable carriers in the world. The design of the "Cyclone-4" meets modern requirements for spacecraft launch vehicles.
The launch vehicle is a three-stage rocket with a sequential arrangement of stages, developed on the basis of the existing "Cyclone-3" launch vehicle:
The complex can provide 6 or more LV launches per year. Currently, the National Space Agency of Ukraine has signed an agreement with the Brazilian space agency on the creation of the Cyclone-4 space rocket complex. The Cyclone-4 LV will be launched from the Alcantara cosmodrome. The first launch of the Cyclone-4 LV was scheduled for February 2012.
However, due to major problems with financing the project from Ukraine, the launch was postponed to 2013.
In addition, Yuzhmash today has multimillion-dollar debts to power engineers. According to Delo, the rocket designers owe more than UAH 10 million to the energy supply company Dneproblenergo. for the electricity supplied in 2010–2011.
A graph of the LV energy capabilities (spacecraft mass, altitude, inclination) for launching into circular and elliptical orbits 2.3
Energetic capabilities of the "Cyclone-4" launch vehicle for launching the steam generator into circular and elliptical orbits with an inclination of 90
Energetic capabilities of the "Cyclone-4" launch vehicle for launching steam generators into sun-synchronous orbits
SG zone dimensions
Work on the creation of a space rocket complex includes:
development of a new modification of the "Cyclone" launch vehicle;
creation of experimental ground test equipment for launch vehicles and ground test equipment for TC and SC;
construction of facilities for technical and launch complexes.
The location of the launch complex almost at the equator will allow to increase the payload by almost 20%, with an equal launch weight (compared to Baikonur).
Attractiveness of the project for the rocket and space industry of Ukraine and the industry of Ukraine as a whole
Instead of an afterword: the current state of the mine launchers R-36 orbs - "object 401":
Sources of information:
