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Tsyklon-4

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Tsyklon-4
FunctionCarrier rocket
Manufacturer
Country of originUkraine
Size
Height39.95 m (131.1 ft)
Diameter3.0 m (9.8 ft)
Mass198,250 kg (437,070 lb)
Stages3
Capacity
Payload to {{{to}}}
Associated rockets
FamilyR-36/Tsyklon
ComparableZenit
Launch history
StatusCancelled
Launch sitesAlcântaraACS Pad
First stage – 11K69
Powered by1 ×RD-261+RD-855Vernier engine
Maximum thrust2,970 kN (303 tf)
Specific impulse300.4 s (2.946 km/s)
Burn time119 seconds
PropellantN2O4/UDMH
Second stage – 11S692
Powered by1 ×RD-262+RD-856Vernier engine
Maximum thrust995 kN (101.5 tf)
Specific impulse314 s (3.08 km/s)
Burn time162 seconds
PropellantN2O4/UDMH
Third stage
Powered by1 ×RD-861K
Maximum thrust76 kN (7.8 tf)
Specific impulse325 s (3.19 km/s)
Burn time450 seconds
PropellantN2O4/UDMH

TheTsyklon-4,also known asTsiklon-4andCyclone-4,was aUkrainiancarrier rocketwhich was being developed for commercial satellite launches. Derived from theTsyklon-3,it had a new third stage, a largerpayload fairing,and a modernised flight control system compared to its predecessor.[1]The control system had been developed byJSC Khartron.[2][3]

Specifications[edit]

Tsyklon-4 was athree-stage-to-orbitexpendable launch system,built on the successful Tsyklon-3 rocket and using improved versions of that rocket's first two stages. The new features were mostly in the newly developed third stage:

  • The third stage has three times the propellant capacity of Tsyklon-3
  • The new rocket engineRD-861K with multiple ignition capability (3 to 5 times)
  • A modern western-like control system capable of precise orbit injections
  • A new fairing derived fromAriane 4is under development. It has a diameter of 4 metres (13 ft), with controlled temperature and cleanness conditions inside

Tsyklon-4 would have improved the fuelling system, allowing safe capture of toxic vapours from the vehicle'shypergolic propellantsystem.

The launch system would have been able to deliver up to 5,250 kg (11,570 lb) to a 185 km (115 mi) orbit, 4,900 kg (10,800 lb) to a 400 km (250 mi) orbit, or 500 kg (1,100 lb) to ageosynchronous orbit.[4]

Development history[edit]

Development began in 2002, with the maiden flight aimed for 2006. Following a series of production delays, this launch date slipped, and was estimated to occur some time after 2015.

Tsyklon-4 had been planned to launch from a proposed launch pad at theAlcântara Launch Centerin Brazil, which would have given the rocket access to all orbital regimes. However, Brazil backed out of the partnership with Ukraine in 2015, citing concerns over the project budget, the ongoing financial situation in both countries, and the future of the commercial launch market.[5]Yuzhnoye began developing a two-stage derivative of Tsyklon-4, theCyclone-4M,forMaritime Launch Services,a Canadian launch service provider. The new rocket was originally scheduled to be in service by 2020,[6][7]though this date has been repeatedly pushed due to construction delays at theCanso launch site.Construction is currently estimated to be complete by 2024 or 2025.[8]According to a 2021 press release, the first flight of Cyclone-4M was planned to take place at Canso in 2023; however, it failed to eventuate.[9]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^"Cyclone-4 Launch Vehicle".NPO InterCoS.
  2. ^"Control systems for intercontinental ballistic missiles and launch vehicles".Archived fromthe originalon 2010-02-05.Retrieved2010-06-14.
  3. ^Krivonosov, Khartron: Computers for rocket guidance systems
  4. ^"Tsiklon-4".Encyclopedia Astronautica.Archived fromthe originalon August 22, 2016.Retrieved8 August2016.
  5. ^de Selding, Peter B. (16 April 2015)."Brazil Pulling Out of Ukrainian Cyclone-4 Launcher Project".Space News.Retrieved9 April2016.
  6. ^Ruskin, Brett; Williams, Cassie (14 March 2017)."T-minus 1 year until rocket launch site construction starts in Nova Scotia".CBC News.Retrieved18 March2017.
  7. ^Boucher, Marc (14 March 2017)."Exclusive: Maritime Launch Services Selects Nova Scotia Site for Spaceport Over 13 Other Locations".SpaceQ.Retrieved18 March2017.
  8. ^Golubeva, Alena (9 April 2021)."Максим Дегтярев:" Спрос на выведение грузов на орбиту будет расти ""[Maxim Degtyarev: "The demand for placing cargo into orbit will grow" ].GMK Center(in Russian).Retrieved11 May2021.Компания получила разрешение, оформляет документы на получение земельного участка и уже в текущем году рассчитывает начать строительные работы. Сколько времени уйдет на строительство космодрома? – Три-четыре года. [The company has received permission, and is preparing documents for obtaining a land plot and expects to start construction work this year. How long will it take to build the cosmodrome? – Three or four years.]
  9. ^Willick, Frances (12 May 2021)."Canso spaceport secures $10.5M, aims for first launch next year".CBC News.Retrieved14 May2021.

External links[edit]