Russia to Develop Rocket for New-Generation Manned Spacecraft

[fregate]

That makes four super heavies on the horizon. SLS, CZ-9, SpaceX BFR and now Russian SHLV.

Nothing in Putin's comment tells us that Russian HLV development will actually happen. In fact, by stating that HLV work would only start after Angara development completes, Putin is slowing down the HLV program.

I disagree, Angara development (obviously we could have different opinions what LV development covers) is already completed by designer (KHRUNICHEV) , RSA now performs series of qualifying flights before giving a green light for a normal launch services.
Yes, it is difficult to understand what exact Putin words were considering that his statement had been presented by Deputy PM and by news agency. Chinese whispers all over again - the key means of communication by Roskosmos PR machine  

IMHO this news indicate Putin commitment to foot a bill and to rephrase one of our Australian PM "It's a rocket we had to have"

[Kryten]

That makes four super heavies on the horizon. SLS, CZ-9, SpaceX BFR and now Russian SHLV.

Isn't CZ-9 still just a concept?

[ChrisWilson68]

That makes four super heavies on the horizon. SLS, CZ-9, SpaceX BFR and now Russian SHLV.

Isn't CZ-9 still just a concept?

Depending on exactly what you define as "just a concept", SLS is potentially the only one on that list that is beyond the conceptual stage.  It's the only one currently getting funding at a rate that will bring it online if the funding stays at the same level.  The others haven't ramped up to serious development yet.  The SpaceX BFR is probably the next closest to that, with some serious work on the engine underway.

[ChrisWilson68]

That makes four super heavies on the horizon. SLS, CZ-9, SpaceX BFR and now Russian SHLV.

Nothing in Putin's comment tells us that Russian HLV development will actually happen. In fact, by stating that HLV work would only start after Angara development completes, Putin is slowing down the HLV program.

Also, it's Putin.  He's not exactly known as the most trustworthy source of information.  At the moment, the government of Russia is playing up its go-it-alone we-don't-need-anyone-else narrative.

[Steven Pietrobon]

That makes four super heavies on the horizon. SLS, CZ-9, SpaceX BFR and now Russian SHLV.

Nothing in Putin's comment tells us that Russian HLV development will actually happen. In fact, by stating that HLV work would only start after Angara development completes, Putin is slowing down the HLV program.

Read what I said carefully, especially the word "horizon". :-)

[fregate]

That makes four super heavies on the horizon. SLS, CZ-9, SpaceX BFR and now Russian SHLV.

Nothing in Putin's comment tells us that Russian HLV development will actually happen. In fact, by stating that HLV work would only start after Angara development completes, Putin is slowing down the HLV program.

Read what I said carefully, especially the word "horizon". :-)

Event horizon in a black hole

[fregate]

Apparently Russian Deputy Premier Dmitriy Rogozin reads A. Zak's web site RussianWebSpace.com   

24.09.2014 Рогозин: первый пилотируемый пуск с "Восточного" должен пройти в срок

Вице-премьер Дмитрий Рогозин заявил, что о переносе сроков первого пилотируемого пуска с космодрома "Восточный" не может быть и речи, передает РИА Новости.

"Хотелось бы фиксировать одну очень важную дату, которую никому не следует ставить под сомнения — я имею в виду в рамках строительства космодрома "Восточный" 2018 год — это первый пилотируемый пуск. Никакого чтобы не было здесь блуда, извините, а то начинаются разговоры на эту тему", — сказал Рогозин на заседании по вопросам пилотируемой космонавтики в России, прошедшем в Центре подготовки космонавтов.

Вице-премьер подчеркнул, что в эти сроки важно именно осуществить пилотируемый пуск, а не некоторые эксперименты, связанные с ним.

"Никаких этапов, темпов, ритмов в связи с возведением космодрома Восточный и реализацией всего намеченного с этой стартовой площадки быть не должно — это закон, который никто не должен нарушать", — добавил он.

My translation:

29 Sep 2014 RIA Novosti Russian News Agency Rogozin - the first manned launch from Vostochny must be done on the dot.   

According to the RIA Novosti press-release [Russian] Deputy Premier Dmitriy Rogozin announced that there is absolutely no way that the first manned launch from Vostochny spaceport might be delayed.

"I would like to highlight a very important milestone - the date of the first manned launch. It's a critical milestone (2018) that nobody should doubt for the the whole Vostochny spaceport construction program." said Rogozin during Russian Manned Space Program round table meeting in the Cosmonaut Training Center. He dismissed any attempts to start a discussion about a possibility of adjusting timetable and classified them as them as verbiage.           

Deputy Premier highlighted that this is a deadline for a maiden manned mission and not a deadline for
some experiments that should take part during manned flight [Still very cryptic what exactly he tried to tell].

"Vostochny spaceport's launchpad should be completed for launch operations without any
intermediate stages according to the plan. Law is a law and nobody should be able to break it!" - he added [in conclusion]

 
He became ballistic (pun intended) after Anatoly guessed that OKA-T launch announced during Putin visit to Vostochny (this month) would be a first launch for Russian Manned Exploration program instead of launching in 2018 a manned PTK NP spacecraft. Details are here:

No public announcements were made about the promised launch of the manned spacecraft in 2018, however an official TV reportage likely inadvertently revealed that an unmanned [/size]Oka-T satellite[/size] would be launched as the "first mission within the manned space program" in 2018. It essentially confirmed that manned missions would not be possible from Vostochny until 2020s.[/size]

Reading between the lines. In order to meet a deadline the following milestones had to be met:
- Manned Spacecraft PTK NP (LEO configuration) should be tested at least in 3 qualifying unmanned flights before year 2018 (possible on Proton-M LV);
- Man-rated Launch Vehicle Angara-5P should be tested at least in 3 qualifying unmanned flights with dummy or cargo payload to LEO;
- Cargo Heavy Angara to fly from Plesetsk in December of 2014
- Launch complex for man-rated Angara-5P has to be completed on Vostochny spaceport before Dec 2018
This contradicts previous statement from the old Khrunichev managers that Angara-5 would not be manufactured in 2016-2017 ;( 

[baldusi]

Couldn't they launch three unmanned PTK-LEO on Angara-5P from Plesetsk for qualification?

[fregate]

Couldn't they launch three unmanned PTK-LEO on Angara-5P from Plesetsk for qualification?

Yes, "they can" (C): 
- perform 3 qualifying unmanned LEO launches of PTK NP spacecraft (possible on Proton or Zenit LV from Baikonour);   
- Not sure about Angara-5P from Plesetsk (does not make any sense to build infrastructure for manned missions
in Plesetsk) however they could launch 2 unmanned missions from Plesetsk + 1  unmanned missions from Vostochny
(subject to readiness). Hopefully launch pad in Pleasetsk should be able to handle an Angara-A5P   

[fregate]

Following up list of pre-requisites 
- "Exhibit A" Manned spacecraft PTK NP status report by Energia published in September issue of Novosti Kosmobavtiki magazine (preview only) interview with Test Cosmonaut Mark Serov (BTW he is a husband of female cosmonaut Elena Serova);     

- "Exhibit F" a man-rated Angara-5P LV launch pad in Vostochny announcement is below
RIA Novosti Science section 28 Sep 2014

Стартовый комплекс под "Ангару" начнут строить раньше срока
БАЙКОНУР (Казахстан), 26 сен — РИА Новости. Стартовый комплекс, предназначенный, в том числе, для пилотируемых запусков новейшей ракеты-носителя "Ангара", начнут строить на космодроме "Восточный" уже в конце 2014 года, сообщил глава Роскосмоса Олег Остапенко.
"Мы скорректировали планы по стартовому комплексу "Ангара" на "Восточном". По срокам работы мы сместили график "влево" — то есть сделаем все быстрее. Думаю, что первые шаги по созданию комплекса "Ангара" мы предпримем уже в этом году. Я в начале октябре буду на "Восточном" и проконтролирую", — заявил Остапенко журналистам в пятницу.
Комплекс "Ангара" на основе унифицированного ряда ракет легкого, среднего и тяжелого классов будет способен выводить практически весь спектр перспективных полезных нагрузок в интересах Минобороны РФ во всем требуемом диапазоне высот и наклонений орбит.
В ракетах-носителях "Ангара" не будут применяться агрессивные и токсичные виды ракетного топлива, что позволит существенно повысить показатели экологической безопасности как в прилегающем к космодрому регионе, так и в районах падения отделяющихся частей ракет-носителей.
Семейство "Ангара" создается Центром имени Хруничева и включает носители разных классов — от легкого до тяжелого грузоподъемностью от 1,5 до 35 тонн. Запуск легкой версии "Ангары" уже состоялся, а тяжелую, по плану, запустят с "Плесецка" в конце 2014 года. Первый пилотируемый полет тяжелой "Ангары" должен быть осуществлен в 2018 году с "Восточного".

Launch pad [construction] for a [Manned] Angara would be started earlier [than planned].  
In nutshell - Chief of Russian Space Agency Oleg Ostapenko  said to journalists in Baikonour spaceport last Friday (26 Sep 2014) that a launch pad in Vostocny that will be capable to launch a man-rated configuration of Angara [aka Angara-5P along with other members of Angara LV family] would be officially committed for construction in the end of 2014. According to him, Anagara launch pad project timetable had been adjusted "to the left" [comparing with original plans]. He  also promised to check status of the project during his next visit to Vostochny in October 2014.   

[Stan Black]

@asmi - my understanding of khrunichev statement that they would like to get funding for man-rated yesterday they are claiming that it could be done quickly (well relatively comparing with 20+ Years history of Angara development), but they have to wait for Roscosmos tender that would be issued only after maiden flight of Angara-5 and before launch pad on Vostochnyi would.built.

Let's not forget that Khrunichev won a tender (code-named Amur)  for the development of a man-rated version of Angara-5 in August 2012. This covered the preliminary design (eskiznyy proyekt in Russian) of the rocket, which was to be finished by May 2013.

See for instance Anatoly Zak's website :

http://www.russianspaceweb.com/vostochny_angara.html

The next stage should be a tender for the so-called ''technical plan'' (tekhnicheskiy proyekt), but I'm not sure if that has been announced yet.

Yes Bart, I am aware of this - R&D Amur Preliminary design had been completed and submitted to TsNIIMash. However Oleg Ostapenko does not have a faith in "evolving capability" of Angara LV family (he insist that after 20+ years of development it's a still born baby, and if it not obsolete yet it might became obsolete quite soon). IMHO man rated Angara A5P  - decision had been made not to make any decisions    

Not had time to understand this one or translate.

Создание космического ракетного комплекса тяжелого класса на космодроме «Восточный»
2.1 Целью выполнения ОКР в рамках настоящих технических требований является создание на космодроме «Восточный» космического ракетного комплекса тяжелого класса на основе трехступенчатой ракеты-носителя «Ангара-А5» в обеспечение подготовки и запусков автоматических космических аппаратов различного назначения, а также запусков экспериментальных аппаратов, включая ПТК в беспилотном варианте.
Примечания:
1 Работы по адаптации КРК на основе РН «Ангара-А5» с КГЧ, включающими различные по назначению КА, в том числе ПТК НП в беспилотном варианте, проводятся по отдельным ТЗ в рамках соответствующих ОКР на их создание (адаптацию).
2 РН «Ангара-А5» создается в рамках ОКР, предусматривающей создание КРК «Ангара» на космодроме Плесецк.
3 Запуски автоматических КА военного назначения проводятся по решению Заказчиков по отдельному техническому заданию.
2.2 Наименование изделия: космический ракетный комплекс тяжелого класса на космодроме «Восточный» (сокращенное наименование - КРК тяжелого класса).
2.3 Индекс изделия - 371КК64.

http://www.zakupki.gov.ru/epz/order/notice/ok44/view/common-info.html?regNumber=0173100007014000212

[Stan Black]

Further Amur tenders:-

http://www.zakupki.gov.ru/epz/order/notice/ok44/view/common-info.html?regNumber=0173100007014000211
http://www.zakupki.gov.ru/epz/order/notice/ok44/view/common-info.html?regNumber=0173100007014000212
http://www.zakupki.gov.ru/epz/order/notice/ok44/view/common-info.html?regNumber=0173100007014000213
http://www.zakupki.gov.ru/epz/order/notice/ok44/view/common-info.html?regNumber=0173100007014000214
http://www.zakupki.gov.ru/epz/order/notice/ok44/view/common-info.html?regNumber=0173100007014000215

[Danderman]

So what is   «ЗНС-Восток» ??

[Stan Black]

Another Amur tender:-
http://www.zakupki.gov.ru/epz/order/notice/ok44/view/common-info.html?regNumber=0173100007014000224

[russianhalo117]

So what is   «ЗНС-Восток» ??

it is listed in a tender as a project for Kosmodrome Vostochniy.

[fregate]

So what is   «ЗНС-Восток» ??

it is listed in a tender as a project for Kosmodrome Vostochniy.

ЗНС заправочно-нейтрализационная станция translation fueling-and-neutralization area (station)

[fregate]

Not had time to understand this one or translate.

Создание космического ракетного комплекса тяжелого класса на космодроме «Восточный»
2.1 Целью выполнения ОКР в рамках настоящих технических требований является создание на космодроме «Восточный» космического ракетного комплекса тяжелого класса на основе трехступенчатой ракеты-носителя «Ангара-А5» в обеспечение подготовки и запусков автоматических космических аппаратов различного назначения, а также запусков экспериментальных аппаратов, включая ПТК в беспилотном варианте.
Примечания:
1 Работы по адаптации КРК на основе РН «Ангара-А5» с КГЧ, включающими различные по назначению КА, в том числе ПТК НП в беспилотном варианте, проводятся по отдельным ТЗ в рамках соответствующих ОКР на их создание (адаптацию).
2 РН «Ангара-А5» создается в рамках ОКР, предусматривающей создание КРК «Ангара» на космодроме Плесецк.
3 Запуски автоматических КА военного назначения проводятся по решению Заказчиков по отдельному техническому заданию.
2.2 Наименование изделия: космический ракетный комплекс тяжелого класса на космодроме «Восточный» (сокращенное наименование - КРК тяжелого класса).
2.3 Индекс изделия - 371КК64.

http://www.zakupki.gov.ru/epz/order/notice/ok44/view/common-info.html?regNumber=0173100007014000212

My translation as following:

Implementation of Heavy class Space-bound Rocket Complex on Vostochny Spaceport
2.1 The major objective of R&D Program for defined technical requirements is implementation of Heavy class KRK based on three-staged "Angara A5" Launch Vehicle on Vostochny spaceport with capabilities to handle a mission campaign and launch a full spectrum of payloads (for different purposes) as well as to launch experimental spacecrafts, including unmanned PTK vehicle.
Notes:
1. Payload integration works for KRK are under development as defined by[/size] dedicated R&D program to adapt LV for non-standard Integrated Payload Unit for  PTK vehicle in unmanned configuration
2. "Angara-A5" Launch Vehicle is under development according to R&D Program; that would lead to implementation of KRK "Angara" on Plesetsk spaceport . [/font]
3. Decision to launch Military Payloads would be made by Customer according to separate technical requirements

2.2 Hardware Name Heavy Class Space-bound Rocket Complex on Vostochny spaceport (short name Heavy Class KRK)

2.3 Hardware Designation 371КК64

Please note that official Russian aerospace term космический ракетный комплекс encompasses Launch Vehicle, Integrated Payload Unit (including PLF), launchpad and some ground-base hardware that allows to perform a launch.  Terminology had been introduced by Roskosmos to differ space-bound LVs from ICBMs     

[fregate]

RIA Novosti Press-release 15 Dec 2014

Роскосмос рассмотрит облик новейшей сверхтяжелой ракеты-носителя
Ожидается, что в январе будет выбран оптимальный вариант проекта и начнется формирование самого облика сверхтяжелой ракеты-носителя.
МОСКВА, 15 дек — РИА Новости.Облик новейшей сверхтяжелой ракеты-носителя Роскосмос рассмотрит в январе 2015 года, сообщил журналистам в понедельник глава Роскосмоса Олег Остапенко.
"Нам уже… поступили проекты от трех ведущих космических предприятий отрасли. Экспертная комиссия приступила к их рассмотрению, а в январе мы определим лидера и приступим к формированию облика сверхтяжелой ракеты-носителя", — сказал руководитель агентства.
Как сообщалось, Роскосмос рассматривает вопрос создания сверхтяжелого носителя для российской лунной программы, который смог бы выводить грузы массой до 80 тонн, а в перспективе возможно создание ракеты-носителя на 130-160 тонн для других задач.
Не все эксперты, однако, уверены в правильности выбранного курса. Как заявлял РИА Новости член-корреспондент Российской академии космонавтики имени Циолковского Андрей Ионин, сверхтяжелая ракета нужна исключительно для проектов освоения человеком Луны или Марса, однако "задача освоения конкретно не поставлена и в документах соответствующих не прописана".
По его словам, независимые наблюдатели очень критично относятся к планам создания сверхтяжелой ракеты и вытекающим из них освоению Луны и Марса.
Людям нужна "не просто сверхцель, а разумная, понятная и приемлемая цель", указывал эксперт.В отличие от времен Сергея Королева и Вернера фон Брауна, сейчас, по его оценке, "разумного ответа на вопрос, зачем нам осваивать за огромные деньги Луну или Марс, когда поближе проблем хватает, никто дать не может".

My Best translation

Roskosmos would review a concept of Launch Vehicle of the Super Heavy class (SHLV)
There are certain expectations that in January 2015 Roskosmos would chose an optimal option of the SHLV Project and contractors would start to define a concept of SHLV.
Moscow - 15th of  December 2014. RIA Novosti. Roskosmos would review  a concept of the brand new SHLV in January 2015, according to the statement made in front of journalists on this Monday by Oleg Ostapenko, the Head of Roskosmos.
"Three leading rocket & space enterprises already submitted their proposals to us [My guess would be that they are RKK Energia, Khrunichev Centre and RKTs Progress], and in January we would determine who is a winner and start to define a concept of SHLV" - said Head of a space agency.
As previously had been announced, Roskosmos is reviewing a framework for development of SHLV for Russian Lunar Space Exploration Program, that would be capable to deliver payload up to 80 tones to LEO, and later on SHLV for other tasks [I guess for Deep Space exploration] with capability up to 130-160 tones to LEO [compare the pair: Russian SHLV vs. NASA SLS ]
However, not all experts are absolutely sure that chosen direction is a right one. According to the statement from Anrey Ionin (a corresponding member of Russian Tsiolkovsky Academy of Cosmonautics) to RIA Novosti  "A Superheavy rocket (SHLV) is required only for Lunar and Mars mission, however such
interplanetary missions are not explicitly spelled out and had not been written in corresponding official documents." [IMHO this is a reference to Russian federal space exploration program for period of 2016-2025 that has to be approved by current administration].
According to his words, an independent observers are quite sceptical to plans for development of  SHLV and following up Moon and Mars colonisation.   
"General public do not need a super goal [aka white elephant project], but people need a rational, easy-to-understand as well as acceptable goal"  - pointed an expert". "Unlike times of Sergey Korolev and Verner von Brown [Golden age of space-flight] at present time," according to his opinion "nobody is able to give a definite answer for a question why we have to spend so much money for Moon and Mars exploration, while we still have so many problems much closer - in our own backyard"

[asmi]

<Moved to another topic>

[fregate]

Not sure if it belongs here, but:
http://lenta.ru/news/2014/12/16/space/

РКК «Энергия» планирует провести с Lockheed Martin работы по адаптации новейшего пилотируемого американского корабля Orion для стыковки с российскими космическими аппаратами. Об этом рассказал в интервью «Известиям» президент РКК Владимир Солнцев. По его словам, соответствующие документы были подписаны по итогам состоявшихся на прошлой неделе встреч в США с представителями Lockheed Martin и Boeing.

My translation:

RSC Energia is planning to perform work with Lockheed Martin to adapt American new manned spacecraft "Orion" for docking with Russian spacecraft, RSC Energia's president Vladimir Solntsev said in interview for "Izvestia" newspaper. According to him, corresponding documents have been signed after [RSC Energia's] meetings in US with LM and Boeing, which took place during last week.

Talks including performing possible docking test between Orion and PTK. There were also discussions regarding ISS - Americans once again expressed desire to extend ISS to 2024 and further.
"We also talked about using Moon as intermediate platform for deep space exploration. Our visions have many things in common, there are no borders in space, so no matter what we'll be collaborating with other space-faring nations, including US" - Solntsev noted.

Thank you - IMHO it means that Boeing and Energia would work on docking aggregates (units) that would be installed on Lockheed Martin Orion Command Module and Energia PTK NP Return Module (VA). Finally they agreed on this after few years of negotiations! AFAIK adaptive RDS would be slightly heavier that standard Russian hardware, but they already shave a lot of "fat" in a new Kurs-NA rendezvous hardware. 
Please repost this there Russia to Develop a New-Generation Manned Spacecraft