1st Soyuz-2.1v/Volga launch with AIST - December 28 2013 1230UTC

[Jester]

Thx Artyom,

Just FYI
that "video" only has 2 photo's of the launch, no moving images...
(yeah i know, nitpick...)

[Galactic Penguin SST]

More objects found - looks like the one I mentioned earlier (2013-078A/39490) is the rocket's 2nd stage...

2013-078B/39491: 595 x 625 km x 82.42 deg.
2013-078C/39492: 598 x 626 km x 82.42 deg.
2013-078D/39493: 599 x 626 km x 82.42 deg.

[input~2]

More launch pictures (http://www.vesti.ru/doc.html?id=1174416&cid=7)

[InvalidAttitude]

Artyom, stop teasing us! Please post the actual video! 

Okay  .

It was a live broadcast TV channel "Channel One"

Replay - http://www.1tv.ru/news/techno/249348  .

Same video on Youtube:

[input~2]

More objects found - looks like the one I mentioned earlier (2013-078A/39490) is the rocket's 2nd stage...

2013-078B/39491: 595 x 625 km x 82.42 deg.
2013-078C/39492: 598 x 626 km x 82.42 deg.
2013-078D/39493: 599 x 626 km x 82.42 deg.

and now also Object E
2013-078E/39494: 602 x 625 km x 82.42°
so they did catalog Volga?

[Prober]

Artyom, stop teasing us! Please post the actual video! 

Okay  .

It was a live broadcast TV channel "Channel One"

Replay - http://www.1tv.ru/news/techno/249348  .

Same video on Youtube:

http://www.vesti.ru/only_video.html?vid=564845    this isn't bad however no launch video just into the clouds.  Good enough for now

[Stan Black]

Yes, second stage. I meant to say second stage. Hard habit to break, thinking of the Blok I as third stage all these years!

It did sort of start as the second stage of the R-9, part of the same family?

[Prober]

Just saw the launch video (from the ground) on 24  My guess paid off 

[owais.usmani]

http://www.vesti.ru/only_video.html?vid=564845    this isn't bad however no launch video just into the clouds.  Good enough for now

Video about preparation :

http://www.vesti.ru/videos?vid=563751

Please these two videos on youtube. vesti.ru doesn't work for me 

[input~2]

vesti.ru doesn't work for me 

Try Chrome

[Danderman]

Yes, second stage. I meant to say second stage. Hard habit to break, thinking of the Blok I as third stage all these years!

It did sort of start as the second stage of the R-9, part of the same family?

Yep.

After 50 years, they have re-invented the R-9. Edit: R-9 was an early ICBM with RD-111 as the first stage engine and RD-110 as the second stage engine, basically an analog of Titan I, which makes this Soyuz also an analog of Titan I.


BTW, it should be noted that the first stage engines are NK-33, not AJ-26. They come directly from Samara.

[russianhalo117]

Yes, second stage. I meant to say second stage. Hard habit to break, thinking of the Blok I as third stage all these years!

It did sort of start as the second stage of the R-9, part of the same family?

Yep.

After 50 years, they have re-invented the R-9.

BTW, it should be noted that the first stage engines are NK-33, not AJ-26. They come directly from Samara.

NO they are NK-33A (Modernized NK-33 updated with 21st century Engine controller and other new 21st Century systems installed to complete the creation of modernized NK-33 which is realized into the world as NK-33A) which Comes via Samara.

[Star One]

Reuters news report on this launch.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/12/28/us-russia-space-idUKBRE9BP02S20131228

[SoheilEsy]

Congratulations to newborn !

[Star One]

Just spotted this gets to be the last launch of 2013.

[jcm]

Just spotted this gets to be the last launch of 2013.

Unless the Iranians or some other player launch one unexpectedly!

[Lars_J]

Congratulations!

Btw, is this rocket meant to launch with 4 boosters as well in the future? I seem to recall seeing concept images of a heavy Soyuz launcher with the core powered by NK-33. It would be a neat evolution of the current Soyuz launcher to be able to launch with 0, 2, or 4 boosters depending on what performance is needed.

[Damon Hill]

That would be the Soyuz 2.3 and Soyuz 3 variants.  Other notional plans included a cryogenic upper stage.   It's not clear if it will ever be developed or replaced with a totally new launch vehicle family.  I think the latter is more likely.

http://russianspaceweb.com/soyuz5.html

[Prober]

That would be the Soyuz 2.3 and Soyuz 3 variants.  Other notional plans included a cryogenic upper stage.   It's not clear if it will ever be developed or replaced with a totally new launch vehicle family.  I think the latter is more likely.

http://russianspaceweb.com/soyuz5.html

4  (four) RD-120.10F engines   might still be the next upgrade path (a good one).  They have serial production in the Ukraine.  Might be a good tradeoff for cash.
or a brand new RD-0155 engine (not much info available on this engine)

[Salo]

Artyom, stop teasing us! Please post the actual video! 

Okay  .

It was a live broadcast TV channel "Channel One"

Replay - http://www.1tv.ru/news/techno/249348  .

Same video on Youtube:

http://www.vesti.ru/only_video.html?vid=564845    this isn't bad however no launch video just into the clouds.  Good enough for now

Something new :
http://tvzvezda.ru/news/vstrane_i_mire/content/201312281816-vwo3.htm