First Flight of Significantly Enhanced Zenit Rocket Family Targeted for Mid-2016

[a_langwich]

"Russia" will continue to launch payloads on Zenit as long as Zenit-class payloads are available. After that, Soyuz-2 and Angara will be used.

Kazakhstan and the Ukraine are dancing around the concept of continuing to fly Zenit from Baikonur after Russia leaves.

If I'm reading other threads correctly, Angara A5 is Proton-class and will launch NET late 2014.  What about the Angara 3 version intended to replace Zenit?  Is there a launch planned for that version?  I guess there are a lot more Proton-class payloads than Zenit-class.  After the heavy version (A5?) flies, though, it doesn't seem like (3?  A3?) version would involve too much risk.

Hopefully in the meantime, commercial traffic picks up and SeaLaunch/LandLaunch/Zenit gathers a reasonable customer base.

[Danderman]

I am not aware of an Angara 3 design that is a real project.

[Stan Black]

Per linked document from Sea Launch AG via RSC Energia et al, available starting in Middle of 2016 will be new next generation Modernized Zenit launcher family (NG Zenit Family is mentioned in some info as Zenit-4 as well as earlier by name Zenit-3SM).

Well, that sounds fairly modest, do-able and worth doing. I kinda like Zenit and SeaLaunch overall and wish them luck.

But we'll see. Russian pronouncements for what's going to happen haven't generally turned to be a good predictor of what actually happens.

Design work has already started for the first two stages. Implementation and introduction is to be done in phases like Proton-M. Some sources I have looked at say stages will be stretched some and launcher family will switch to using advanced composite materials are to be implemented as well as much more. I am trying find new versions official designation as the one's I used at the top are not confirmed officially.

Is Zenit-4 the one with two upper stages, Blok-D type 11С824Ф and Fregat?

http://www.zakupki.gov.ru/pgz/public/action/orders/info/common_info/show?notificationId=3105458

[russianhalo117]

Per linked document from Sea Launch AG via RSC Energia et al, available starting in Middle of 2016 will be new next generation Modernized Zenit launcher family (NG Zenit Family is mentioned in some info as Zenit-4 as well as earlier by name Zenit-3SM).

Well, that sounds fairly modest, do-able and worth doing. I kinda like Zenit and SeaLaunch overall and wish them luck.

But we'll see. Russian pronouncements for what's going to happen haven't generally turned to be a good predictor of what actually happens.

Design work has already started for the first two stages. Implementation and introduction is to be done in phases like Proton-M. Some sources I have looked at say stages will be stretched some and launcher family will switch to using advanced composite materials are to be implemented as well as much more. I am trying find new versions official designation as the one's I used at the top are not confirmed officially.

Is Zenit-4 the one with two upper stages, Blok-D type 11С824Ф and Fregat?

http://www.zakupki.gov.ru/pgz/public/action/orders/info/common_info/show?notificationId=3105458

I will have to check, but I think that it is.

[Danderman]

FWIW, there is a supposed to be a Zenit-M launch in 2017 for Spektr-RG.

[russianhalo117]

FWIW, there is a supposed to be a Zenit-M launch in 2017 for Spektr-RG.

Is this using standard 2 stage Zenit-2M or the new version of Zenit-3M (3SM) that was being jointly planned and developed for Sea Launch and Roscosmos???

[ZachS09]

FWIW, there is a supposed to be a Zenit-M launch in 2017 for Spektr-RG.

Is this using standard 2 stage Zenit-2M or the new version of Zenit-3M (3SM) that was being jointly planned and developed for Sea Launch and Roscosmos???

Spektr-RG was manifested to launch on the Zenit 3F rocket, which is the two-stage Zenit 2M topped with a Fregat third stage.