Author Topic: Information about Zenit rocket (Read 110054 times)

IanO · « **Reply #120 on:** 07/28/2022 06:51 pm »

What is the status of Zenit given the breakdown in Ukraine-Russian relations? Is it officially retired or stuck in limbo?

Is the Lybid payload similarly unlaunchable?

russianhalo117 · « **Reply #121 on:** 07/28/2022 07:01 pm »

Quote from: IanO on 07/28/2022 06:51 pm

What is the status of Zenit given the breakdown in Ukraine-Russian relations? Is it officially retired or stuck in limbo?

Is the Lybid payload similarly unlaunchable?

Rockets exist minus Russian provided hardware in both Baikonur (now service and lifetime expired hardware) and in the Yuzmash factory production halls. They kept building them at a slow rate to retain worker knowledge.
The Lybid payload was formally moved out of its assigned cleanroom placed in a storage container long since mothballed in another facility.
The site 45 where it is launched was long since mothballed and "undergoing" a slow conversion to Soyuz-5 family. The Zenit TEL system railcars and powercar has reportedly been removed from its complex to Baikonurs launcher graveyard and equipment abandonment areas. Zenit fairings and some other hardware have already been scrapped for launchers operating under the Sea-Launch project.

Targeteer · « **Reply #122 on:** 10/20/2025 08:46 pm »

https://twitter.com/robert_savitsky/status/1980322303570513920

PM3 · « **Reply #123 on:** 10/21/2025 07:06 am »

Could someone identify which of the two launch pads is 45/1 and which 45/2? 45/1 was the main pad, while 45/2 was used only for two launches in 1990.

Alter Sachse · « **Reply #124 on:** 10/21/2025 01:01 pm »

It looks as if LC 45/2 has been completely destroyed by the explosion.
It may be that the tower of LC 45/1 has now been destroyed.

https://www.360cities.net/zh/image/launch-pad-45-2-baikonur-cosmodrome

russianhalo117 · « **Reply #125 on:** 10/21/2025 01:57 pm »

Quote from: Alter Sachse on 10/21/2025 01:01 pm

It looks as if LC 45/2 has been completely destroyed by the explosion.
It may be that the tower of LC 45/1 has now been destroyed.

https://www.360cities.net/zh/image/launch-pad-45-2-baikonur-cosmodrome

The one felled in the posts above is 45/2's because all of the access platforms wall and door panels were blown out when Zenit fell back.