Skyrocket - 31/7/2007 10:48 AMIf i compare the image of real Tsiklon-2 launch ( http://www.cosmoworld.ru/spacehistory/photos/tsiklon.jpg ) and the ominous Plesetsk launch ( http://www.yuzhmash.com/__img/CIKLON00.gif ) i notice, that the base of the payload fairing is different and slightly widened. This could perhaps be to accomodate the wider base of the S5M stage ( http://www.yuzhnoye.com/Aerospace%20Technology/Launch%20Vehicles/Cyclone/Cyclone%203/PGcyclone3_sm_r.jpg )
Jester - 1/8/2007 3:40 PMCould be, but to add the to confusion, the M version appartently was declassified at a later time then the other, could it be some sort of test launch ?
Jester - 1/8/2007 3:40 PMhave you tried to contact yuzhmash and ask them about the picture ? (i know it's a long shot, but you never know)
edkyle99 - 1/8/2007 5:11 PMI also wonder if we might be seeing an optical illusion here, since we are used to seeing Tsyklon 3 in a more colorful form.http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/23/Cyclone-3_rocket_launching_Meteor-3_satellite.gif - Ed Kyle
edkyle99 - 1/8/2007 5:44 PMAnother possibility is that our old Soviet friends played a trick during the early Tsyklon 3 era by doing a bit of airbrushing. Consider the original image shown at:http://www.esa.int/images/tsyclon_4_l.jpgHere is a blow up of the payload fairing area. I find it interesting that the base of the hammerhead section is *wider* than the rest! - Ed Kyle
Danderman - 12/8/2007 5:14 PMNo FOBS vehicle was ever launched from Plesetsk, so the photo isn't of FOBS.