Russia plans to revive super Soviet Energia missiles

Although the first and last flight took place nearly 30 years ago, Super Energia boosters can become the foundation for Russia's ambition to conquer space in the future.

On November 15, 1988, the Soviet Buran unmanned space shuttle flew into the sky, joining NASA's space shuttle system. But then the Soviet Union was on the verge of collapse, that first hopeful launch could be the last launch.

The future does not seem very good for the Energia rocket that once pushed space shuttle Buran into space. However, what seems to be an obvious end may be a new start after a 30-year hiatus. While Buran accepted the unfortunate fate, Energia could become the foundation for Russia's new super heavy missile.

Revival plan

One of three proposed designs for the future Russian super missile is similar to the Soviet Energia rocket.The rocket carries an expedition ship to bring the crew from orbit to the surface of the Moon and return.

Russia wants a super rocket. A few months ago, Roscosmos - Russian Federal Space Agency began its plan to study the three missile designs above. If it becomes a reality, the new "super-class" missile will be one of the largest flying machines known to mankind, on a par with the famous Saturn V rocket that propels Apollo to the Moon.

In a recent Kremlin meeting with the leaders of the space industry, Russian President Vladimir Putin has designated this project as one of the top three priorities for the nation's space program."I would like to emphasize that every deadline set for development (of super heavy missiles) must be completed and test flights will begin as planned in 2028".

Super heavy currents start with rockets capable of bringing loads of 50 to 60 tons or more into orbit near Earth (with more orbits or interplanetary points, correspondingly decreasing numbers) . But during the six decades of space exploration, super-heavy missiles had no other task than to launch astronaut-type spacecraft such as the moon explorer and space shuttle. This giant missile is too expensive, complicated and inflexible to use for more practical purposes, such as the booming satellite launch industry in the fields of science, business and military.

That does not prevent the construction of a new generation super rocket to bring people out of orbit near Earth. NASA is studying giants. SpaceX made the first ostentatious flight in February this year. China even plans super heavy rockets to compete with the legendary Saturn V.

Past failures

The Buran space shuttle with Energia boosters is about to be launched from Baikonur space airport in October 1988.

The Soviet Union has twice tried to build a super launch of spaceships during the Cold War. The 100-meter N-1 moon rocket of the 1960s was to compete with the American Apollo program. After four unsuccessful launches, the N-1 project was canceled in 1974.

It took another decade for the Soviet Union to release the Energia missile with two major successful launches in 1987 and 1988. This nearly 60 meter long rocket was widely welcomed as if it was an advanced rocket. and the most powerful era.

But when the Soviet Union disintegrated in 1991, Energia was abandoned at Baikonur space airport in Kazakhstan. The team of workers and engineers left the rocket, and key technologies - such as extremely complex hydrogen engines - were no longer produced.

For nearly two decades, when Russia had a hard time in the post-Soviet era, the restoration of Energia had never been seriously discussed. But with the rise of oil prices and the country's economic recovery, Putin is seeking to reaffirm Russia on the world stage. The emergence of new generation heavy missiles offers attractive opportunities.

The promising return of the space giant

Before launching the Energia rocket with shuttle Buran, November 15, 1988.

Under the proposal, the new Generation Energia boosters can carry up to 80 tons of load into orbit near Earth and about 20 tons into orbit around the Moon. While the original Energia could only carry a space plane on the side, the new missile was designed to carry the tonnage of the cone-shaped top, bringing them to lunar orbits.

With the Kremlin's approval, Roscosmos signed contracts with rocket designers in April this year, including the development of super missiles by the end of 2019. At the preliminary design stage, there are Two smaller rockets compete with Energia.

If Energia's new design is selected, the project will need to rebuild the giant RD-0120 hydrogen combustion engines. Three of these engines will push the giant core of the rocket with a diameter of 7.7 meters, equivalent to the original Energia size. The first four RD-171 pushers on the first floor, inherited directly from Energia, will lift the rocket in two minutes.

Currently, Russia's super heavy missiles are still in the design and planning stages. But with the Roscosmos' commitment to participating in NASA's orbit on the Moon's orbit space, the super missile is likely to be a giant machine to help mark people outside orbit. Earth.