Soyuz Launch Vehicle

The Soyuz rocket has been used for launching various payloads since the 1960's. These include ferrying crew and cargo to various Space Stations (utilizing various versions of the Soyuz-TM and Progress Spacecraft respectively), launching satellites to earth orbit and sending various spacecraft to other planetary bodies such as the moon.

Pictures:

Soyuz Launch Vehicle Soyuz Rocket Soyuz Launch Vehicle picture

The Soyuz launch vehicle was derived from the R-7 Intercontinental Ballistic Missile of the 1950's. Manned Soyuz Spacecraft are launched from Baikonur Space Port, Kazakstan. Plestek, Russia is used mainly to launch military payloads. There are proposals to launch the Soyuz from Kourou, south America.

At present the Soyuz is being marketted internationally by Starsem - a Fench/Russian Consortium.

Specifications:

The standard Soyuz Launch Vehicle has three stages. The first stage are the four strap-ons (boosters). The second stage is the central core. The first and second stages ignite simultaneously on the ground.

Please note that each strap-on is using one engine which uses four chambers.

The four strap-ons separate from the core at about 118 seconds after liftoff. When second stage (central core) completes its powered flight, the third stage ignites.

The third stages is comprised of the payload adapter and fairing. It fires for approximately 240 seconds before it cuts off and separates from the second stage.

Reference:

http://www.starsem.com/

Soyuz Launch Vehicle Links:

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