Author Topic: Russia outlines its rocket-development strategy: Proton to Retire Before 2030  (Read 8147 times)

Offline russianhalo117

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LINK (Updated 16 May 2013): http://www.russianspaceweb.com/rockets_launchers_2010s.html

Russia outlines its rocket-development strategy

The Russian space agency, Roskosmos, released its newest version of a public document, outlining the nation's latest strategy in space. The 17-page paper, dated by April 29, 2013, did not contain any surprises among proclaimed goals in space or means to achieve them, but clarified the agency's timeline in the development of launch vehicles.

Since rockets always form the foundation of any independent space program, the agency's commitment or lack of thereof to the development of new launchers illustrated the current pace and scope of the Russian space program. As in previous revisions of the document, all future goals were grouped into time periods before 2015, before 2020, before 2030 and after 2030:

Before 2015, Roskosmos pledged to fulfill following goals:

To maintain Proton, Soyuz and Zenit launch operations in Baikonur;
To introduce a launch facility for the Angara rocket in Plesetsk (Editor's note: this deadline is increasingly difficult to achieve);
To introduce a launch pad for the Soyuz-2 rocket in Vostochny.
Before 2020:

To conduct the development of a launch facility for the heavy-lifting rocket in Vostochny (Editor's note: it implies the construction of the launch facility for Angara-5, but the vague language of the document indicates that the site would not be ready before 2020);
To develop infrastructure for manned space flight operations in Vostochny (Editor's note: the vague language of the document indicates that no manned missions would lift off from the site before 2020);
To develop a cryogenic upper stage for future launch vehicles;
To introduce a cryogenic upper stage based in Plesetsk.
Before 2030:

To retire Proton in Baikonur;
To introduce a super-heavy launch vehicle with a payload exceeding 50 tons to the low Earth orbit and based in Vostochny;
To conduct the development of a reusable, electrically propelled space tug for the re-supply of a lunar base.
After 2030:

To introduce a launch vehicle with a reusable first stage;
Manned missions to the vicinity of the Moon, manned expeditions to the Moon and the construction of the lunar base;
To build a technological foundation for the development of transport system enabling a manned expedition to Mars, including a super-heavy launch vehicle with a payload of 130-180 tons, and an electrically propelled space tug.
For the exception of launching Angara from Plesetsk before 2015, the document established no solid deadlines for any major goal in space and pushed most ambitious projects well into 2030s. Most notably, the prospects for the development of super-heavy rocket boosters receded from 2020s to 2030s in just one year of strategic planning.

Offline Danderman

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This is the first "official" statement that I have seen that attaches a date to some sort of HLV, in this case an Angara derivative that would fly by 2030. 

However, the overall gist of the statement is that Roskosmos will continue to do what it is doing for 20 years and then a miracle happens and they go to Mars.  That used to be the NASA approach before the White House specified an exploration program, just keep flying the Shuttle and the station, and then after 20 years a miracle would happen and we would all be flying to Mars.

Offline russianhalo117

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This is the first "official" statement that I have seen that attaches a date to some sort of HLV, in this case an Angara derivative that would fly by 2030. 

However, the overall gist of the statement is that Roskosmos will continue to do what it is doing for 20 years and then a miracle happens and they go to Mars.  That used to be the NASA approach before the White House specified an exploration program, just keep flying the Shuttle and the station, and then after 20 years a miracle would happen and we would all be flying to Mars.

I have seen several dates that put Proton Retirement NET 2025 but Kazakhstan in an order as well as part of this years agreement on launches that Proton must retire before start of 2027 or it prohibit and enforce ban of all launches from Baikonur Cosmodrome.

I will post links in a bit.

Offline fregate

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RSC Enetrgia and TsNIIMash are preparing the project of SHLV

Decision about new Russian LV of Super Heavy class had not been made, but project is in initialization stage, according to the statement of President of Rocket and Space Corporation ENERGIA Vitaly Lopota in his interview with ITAR-TASS news agency.   
"There is no decision made in regards of development of the new Russian Super Heavy class LV, and neither no decision about Roskosmos tender for this project" 

According to Lopota, currently a Head Institute of Roskosmos (TsNIIMash) together with ENERGIA and other space industry leading companies are working on system study, that would major technical requirements for such LV, including requirements for a spaceport infrastructure for a launch campaign preparation.
Project also should determine a program of SHLV potential applications. 

Findings of this system study would became a foundation for a final decision about developing of this LV and tender announcement for a selection of the primary contractor - specified a head of corporation. Energia considers to participate in this tender.   

Lopota remainded that Corporation has a strong KNOW HOW SHLV legacy - Energia LV successfully had been launched twice in the end of 80s. At present time RSC Energia internally carries out preliminary study to determine technical requirement of SHLV based on above mentioned legacy. He noted also that results of internal study would be included into a joint technical report.
« Last Edit: 06/04/2013 01:45 am by fregate »
"Selene, the Moon. Selenginsk, an old town in Siberia: moon-rocket  town" Vladimir Nabokov

Offline fregate

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Time is flying - 4.5 years since last post in this topic!
With join NASA/ROSCOSMOS announcement about Deep Space Gateway in cis-lunar space in Sep on IAC'2017 (Adelaide, Australia) it seems inevitable that Russian space agency has seriously consider implementation of LEO/Lunar Orbit (whatever  partners would choose) space transportation system.

What Russians could actually bring to DSG "table"?
- Manned spacecraft "Federatsia" (aka PTK NP) in Lunar edition capable to deliver 4 cosmonauts crew to Lunar Orbit, dock with DSG orbital platform and safely return them to Earth (with combined parachute/rocket propulsion mode of landing). Spacecraft in development since 2009 by RSC Energia.
In Apr 2015 Head of Nasa Charles Bolden offered Head of Roscosmos Igor Komarov a "free ride" of Russian manned spacecraft on SLS (as a backup solution in case if Orion might be grounded), unfortunately Russians decided to decline it.   
- Docking Unit with airlock - potentially to be delivered by SLS as a secondary payload.
- Existing Russian HLV capability (Proton/Angara 5) for lunar orbit delivery is in range between 4.5-7 tonnes, might be enough for a Progress cargo resupply mission (possible with introduction of KVTK cryogenic upper stage or with double launch and EOR)
- 1 Megawatt nuclear propelled space tug (under development by Rosatom/Roscosmos) 

New development for Lunar Transportation system might include the following:
- manned SHLV with capability at least 20.5 tonnes to Lunar orbit
- cargo SHLV with capability 20-30 tonnes to Lunar orbit (DSG and lunar base modules)   
- man-rated Lunar lander (in light and baseline configurations)
- Reusable/refuelled space tug with aerobraking capability           
« Last Edit: 10/09/2017 10:59 am by fregate »
"Selene, the Moon. Selenginsk, an old town in Siberia: moon-rocket  town" Vladimir Nabokov

Offline woods170

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Time is flying - 4.5 hours since last post in this topic!
Try "years" in stead of "hours".

Offline fregate

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A new Roadmap for Russian SHLV - more details on A.Zak website
Please note 5 Boosters on Stage I (previously there were 4 boosters) and as result increased LEO payload capabilities.
« Last Edit: 11/25/2017 10:37 pm by fregate »
"Selene, the Moon. Selenginsk, an old town in Siberia: moon-rocket  town" Vladimir Nabokov

Offline Lars-J

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5 boosters? I don't know whether to laugh or cry. 4 will be a challenge enough... Are they forgetting Angara lessons already?

Offline WindnWar

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Given the new Soyuz aka Russian Zenit, is there the possibility that Angara will simply be cancelled in it's heavier versions? Seems like the new Soyuz would make it redundant.

Offline savuporo

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5 boosters? I don't know whether to laugh or cry. 4 will be a challenge enough... Are they forgetting Angara lessons already?

The good old architecture of if you're going too slow, I feel bad for you son. I got 99 boosters, all in stage 1
Orion - the first and only manned not-too-deep-space craft

Offline Eerie

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5 boosters? I don't know whether to laugh or cry. 4 will be a challenge enough... Are they forgetting Angara lessons already?

The good old architecture of if you're going too slow, I feel bad for you son. I got 99 boosters, all in stage 1

Hey, it's battle-tested Kerbal Asparagus Technique.

Offline Darkseraph

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Russia (and the former Soviet Union) have plenty of experience building launchers with multiple strap-on boosters and this design uses a variation of battle tested engine, RD171. The base of this vehicle is really just a Russian version of Zenit. I've little doubt they can fly the above design from a technical perspective.

The doubt would be if they're institutionally capable of pulling off the above SHLV within cost and close to schedule. Given their record with programs like Angara, pretty doubtful. Most of their major initiatives have been cancelled before even leaving the drawing board since the fall of the Soviet Union. Although the former regime will be missed by few, it's still sad to see the decline of a space program that had achieved so much.
"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." R.P.Feynman

Offline russianhalo117

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Russia (and the former Soviet Union) have plenty of experience building launchers with multiple strap-on boosters and this design uses a variation of battle tested engine, RD171. The base of this vehicle is really just a Russian version of Zenit. I've little doubt they can fly the above design from a technical perspective.

The doubt would be if they're institutionally capable of pulling off the above SHLV within cost and close to schedule. Given their record with programs like Angara, pretty doubtful. Most of their major initiatives have been cancelled before even leaving the drawing board since the fall of the Soviet Union. Although the former regime will be missed by few, it's still sad to see the decline of a space program that had achieved so much.
Well actually has ties to Energia. Zenit was originally developed with the intention of 0-4 strap-on boosters around a central core stage. The 2 stage version was intended to take over flying Soyuz and Progress spacecraft but was never flown in that configuration. The medium and heavy versions of Zenit were shelved for Energia and again after the fall of the USSR.

Offline russianhalo117

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Translated to English via the owner/staff at Russian Space Web:
Quote
On January 30, the head of RKTs Progress Dmitry Baranov was quoted by the official TASS news agency as promising "around 20" launches of Soyuz rockets during 2023. With two or three Proton launches and couple of Angara missions, Russia could make more than two dozen orbital launch attempts during the year.

Offline AmigaClone

Translated to English via the owner/staff at Russian Space Web:
Quote
On January 30, the head of RKTs Progress Dmitry Baranov was quoted by the official TASS news agency as promising "around 20" launches of Soyuz rockets during 2023. With two or three Proton launches and couple of Angara missions, Russia could make more than two dozen orbital launch attempts during the year.

While more launches than recent years, it pales in comparison to the number of launches per year by the Soviet Union between 1970 and 1988. During that period, the Soviet Union launched 90+ missions thirteen times.

Offline Vahe231991

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Translated to English via the owner/staff at Russian Space Web:
Quote
On January 30, the head of RKTs Progress Dmitry Baranov was quoted by the official TASS news agency as promising "around 20" launches of Soyuz rockets during 2023. With two or three Proton launches and couple of Angara missions, Russia could make more than two dozen orbital launch attempts during the year.
There might actually be more than two Angara rocket launches this year because the Angara A5 is being intended to supplant the Proton-M in its role as a launch vehicle for geostationary satellites.

Tags: proton-m angara 
 

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