Russia and Space Transportation Systems
Russian/CIS Name
DOD Designation
Sheldon Designation
Sputnik
SL-1
A
Sputnik 3
SL-2
A
Vostok
SL-3
A-1
Soyuz
SL-4
A-2
Molniya
SL-6
A-2-e
Kosmos (Interkosmos)
SL-7
B-1
Kosmos
SL-8
C-1
Tsyklon
SL-11
F-1
Proton (Gorizont)
SL-12
D-1-e
Proton
SL-13
D-1
Tsyklon (Meteor)
SL-14
F-2
Zenit
SL-16
J-1
Energia
SL-17
K-1
Buran
SL-17
K-1
Start-1
SL-18
N/A
Rokot
SL-19
N/A
Start
SL-20
N/A
Volna
SL-??
N/A
Shtil
SL-21
N/A
Soyuz-Ikar
SL-22
N/A
Zenit-3SL
SL-23
N/A
Dnepr-1
SL-24
N/A
Proton (Breeze)
SL-25
N/A
Soyuz-Fregat
SL-26
N/A
Angara
SL-27 ??
N/A
MiG-31S / Ishim
N/A
N/A
The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) maintained a large space transportation programme, totally state-controlled, solely oriented towards the home market and mainly for military purposes. For around 25 years in a row, the USSR led the world in the numbers of launches performed.
When the USSR was dissolved in December 1991 the number of defence orders decreased significantly, resulting in a corresponding drop in funding for the Russian space industry. The redefinition of state borders also caused space assets to be dispersed mostly in Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan. That led to Baikonur, the USSR's largest spaceport, falling within the borders of Kazakhstan. In addition, the Russian space industry was now dependent upon launcher components made in other countries. For example the Yuzhnoye company, that makes ballistic missiles and launch vehicles, was inherited by the Ukraine.
Most Russian launchers in use today were originally made for military purposes. As the primary goal of rockets for military use was simplicity and reliability, a hands-on approach with a lot of testing and improvement of existing hardware was applied. Because of the previous military needs for missile accuracy, the injection accuracy of the current Russian launchers is high.
Russian and Ukrainian operational launch vehicles
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Most Russian launchers in use today were originally made for military purposes. As the primary goal of rockets for military use was simplicity and reliability, a hands-on approach with a lot of testing and improvement of existing hardware was applied. Because of the previous military needs for missile accuracy, the injection accuracy of the current Russian launchers is high.
Main Russian launch vehicles under development
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The end of the cold war left Russia with several classes of ballistic missile that have now been converted to commercial lift vehicles. These include the Start-1, Rokot, Strela, Volna and Shtil. These rockets, that come under the light-class launcher sector, are not expensive and have a long history of successful flights.
