Russian Space Boosters | Dniepr

Space Booster "Dniepr" designed on the basis of ICBM SS-18 Mod.1 (Satan) (Russian manufacturer designation 15A14/R-36M/RS-20).

ICBM was designed in the middle of 1970s under supervision of Designer General V.F. Utkin at the Design Bureau "Yuzhnoe" (Ukraine). 1st Flight Tests of ICBM was conducted October 31st, 1977.

Development of the conversion project was conducted at the beginning of 1990th in the Science-Production Union "Pivdenne" (successor of DB "Yuzhnoe).

Russian Industry held re-equipment of the ICBM into Space booster in co-operation with Ukraine. Main changes were connected with booster's stages and new payload.

Until recent time there were 180 launches of ICBM R-36M including 20 accidents.

Specification.

Launch weight....................................................211,000 kg
Thrust................................................................425,000 kg
Lenght.....................................................................35.7 m
Diameter..................................................................3.05 m
Payload weight
Low Earth Orbit......................................................3,500 kg
Polar orbit..............................................................2,500 kg
Propellant
First and second stage........................................UDMH+NO
Third stage...............................................solid rocket motor

Stage 1....................................................... engine RD-264
Stage 2..................................................... engine RD-0229
Stage 3.................................................. solid rocket motor