The project passed the defense. Angara will have reversible stages

— Tell me, please, what is the Khrunichev Center doing now for the Vostochny Space Base?

– Two products are being produced for the Vostochny cosmodrome: “NZh” (the abbreviation stands for “ground fluid”) – a full-size replica of the Angara-A5 launch vehicle for testing the preparation of a standard rocket for launch, and the certification Amur space rocket complex (including various Angara launch vehicles) includes) and the Angara-A5 flight rocket.

The product “NZh” is highly ready in the final assembly workshop.

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Alexey Varochko, Director General of the JSC Khrunichev State Space Research and Production Center

Mikhail Japaridze/TASS

– What is the role of the Angara-NZh order? Why is it important?

– This is a full-size replica of the Angara-A5 rocket, equipped with all the systems involved in ground preparation of a real rocket. Without using the Angara-A5 flight, it will allow a cycle of pre-launch and launch operations to check the operation of refueling equipment in real conditions. Thus, we will be able to certify the new launch complex and parts of the technical complex designed to prepare the rocket for launch.

– At what stage of production is the Angara-A5 for Vostochny? How will it be transported?

– Production of the Angara-A5 flight rocket is proceeding according to schedule.

We do not have any problems, some of the compartments are ready, they are in the final assembly workshop. Tank hulls are in the process of being equipped with interior equipment.

Fuel and oxidizer tanks will begin arriving at the final assembly shop in August 2022. As for the transport of the launch vehicle, special transport units were developed for this. In fact, these are shipping containers in which the components of the launch vehicle are transported on regular railway platforms.

— What kind of work is currently being done in Vostochny?

– A technical complex was created at the Vostochny cosmodrome. All civil works have been completed and currently the buildings of the complex are ready for the installation of equipment, which we plan to start in August this year.

As for the launch complex, I think the most difficult part is completed – pouring the foundation, earthworks. And at present, the cable filling tower is being actively installed.

The launch complex is already receiving regular mainlines.

– Could the sanctions imposed by Western countries in the spring of 2022 affect the missile production rate? If yes, which ones and how?

– Initially, when deciding on the creation of the Angara complex, we proceeded from the fact that all components must be produced on Russian soil. Therefore, the sanctions imposed cannot affect missile production. Taking into account the peculiarities of the industry, it is worth noting that even before the implementation of the sanctions, our Western colleagues did not try to give us the opportunity to borrow some advanced foreign technologies. Therefore, everything we have developed is purely the work of Russian specialists to provide the country with independent access to space.

– How long before launch will the Angara-A5 launch vehicle be packaged for transport to Vostochny? How is it done?

– Transport of the launch vehicle to the Vostochny Cosmodrome will be carried out in specially designed transport containers. When the NZh product is sent to the Vostochny cosmodrome, it will be certified within the framework of autonomous and integrated transport vehicles testing. The process of loading into shipping containers will begin directly at the assembly shop, where a special railway line is laid. The containers will be checked, sealed, sealed and then delivered by rail to the Vostochny cosmodrome. The download will take several days.

– What are the features of starting from Vostochny for Angara?

– The most advanced technical solutions are used in the launch complex of the Vostochny cosmodrome, many operations will be automated. For example, human involvement in refueling a rocket is excluded. This will both reduce the complexity of preparing the rocket for launch, and ensure the safety of service personnel and combat crews. In the future, it is planned to replace the launch complex for the program with the heavier Angara-A5V launch vehicle and a new generation of manned transport spacecraft. In general, this is a modern launch complex, which is planned to be used for a long time.

– Will there be a variant of Angara with reversible stages? How exactly are they planning to plant these and what is the status of the project?

– The option of turning steps of Angara has existed from the very beginning of the creation of this complex. Considered the option of returning both the individual universal rocket modules that make up the product, and the rocket as a whole. One of these options is Baikal, which, according to the project, is expected to return to the launch site according to the aircraft plan. In fact, it was a URM (universal rocket module) equipped with aircraft engines and a rotary wing, which allowed it to return to the launch site and make a soft landing after the rocket stage ran out of fuel at the work site.

We also discussed in detail the options for returning entire missile blocks and saving only individual URMs.

During the preliminary design of the Amur complex of the second stage, we considered the method of rocket dynamics of the first and second stages, which, after testing, could land on a special landing site. The project was defended.

It will be necessary to consider the feasibility study of the project additionally and in depth, taking into account the required set of work.