Tsyklon-4 Explained
| Tsyklon-4 |
| Function: | Carrier rocket |
| Manufacturer: | |
| Country-Origin: | Ukraine |
| Height: | 39.951NaN1 |
| Diameter: | 31NaN1 |
| Mass: | 198250kg (437,070lb) |
| Stages: | 3 |
| Family: | R-36Tsyklon |
| Comparable: | Zenit |
| Status: | Cancelled |
| Sites: | Alcântara ACS Pad |
| Capacities: | |
| Stagedata: | | Type: | stage | | Stageno: | First | | 11K69 | | Thrust: | 303order=flipNaNorder=flip | | Si: | 300.4isp | | Burntime: | 119 seconds |
| Type: | stage | | Stageno: | Second | | 11S692 | | Thrust: | 101.5order=flipNaNorder=flip | | Si: | 314isp | | Burntime: | 162 seconds |
| Type: | stage | | Stageno: | Third | | | Thrust: | 7.8order=flipNaNorder=flip | | Si: | 325isp | | Burntime: | 450 seconds |
|
The Tsyklon-4, also known as Tsiklon-4 and Cyclone-4, was a Ukrainian carrier rocket which was being developed for commercial satellite launches. Derived from the Tsyklon-3, it had a new third stage, a larger payload fairing, and a modernised flight control system compared to its predecessor.[1] The control system had been developed by JSC Khartron.[2] [3]
Specifications
Tsyklon-4 was a three-stage-to-orbit expendable launch system, built on the successful Tsyklon-3 rocket and using improved versions of that rocket's first two stages. The new features were mostly in the newly developed third stage:
- The third stage has three times the propellant capacity of Tsyklon-3
- The new rocket engine RD-861K with multiple ignition capability (3 to 5 times)
- A modern western-like control system capable of precise orbit injections
- A new fairing derived from Ariane 4 is under development. It has a diameter of, with controlled temperature and cleanness conditions inside
Tsyklon-4 would have improved the fuelling system, allowing safe capture of toxic vapours from the vehicle's hypergolic propellant system.
The launch system would have been able to deliver up to 5250kg (11,570lb) to a 185km (115miles) orbit, 4900kg (10,800lb) to a 400km (200miles) orbit, or 500kg (1,100lb) to a geosynchronous orbit.[4]
Development history
Development began in 2002, with the maiden flight aimed for 2006. Following a series of production delays, this launch date slipped, and was estimated to occur some time after 2015.
Tsyklon-4 had been planned to launch from a proposed launch pad at the Alcântara Launch Center in Brazil, which would have given the rocket access to all orbital regimes. However, Brazil backed out of the partnership with Ukraine in 2015, citing concerns over the project budget, the ongoing financial situation in both countries, and the future of the commercial launch market.[5] Yuzhnoye began developing a two-stage derivative of Tsyklon-4, the Cyclone-4M, for Maritime Launch Services, a Canadian launch service provider. The new rocket was originally scheduled to be in service by 2020,[6] [7] though this date has been repeatedly pushed due to construction delays at the Canso launch site. Construction is currently estimated to be complete by 2024 or 2025.[8] According to a 2021 press release, the first flight of Cyclone-4M was planned to take place at Canso in 2023; however, it failed to eventuate.[9]
See also
External links
Notes and References
- Web site: Cyclone-4 Launch Vehicle . NPO InterCoS.
- Web site: Control systems for intercontinental ballistic missiles and launch vehicles . 2010-06-14 . 2010-02-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100205080645/http://www.arkos.kharkov.ua/sumbr_e.php . dead .
- http://web.mit.edu/slava/space/essays/essay-krivonosov.htm Krivonosov, Khartron: Computers for rocket guidance systems
- Encyclopedia: Tsiklon-4 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160822034720/http://www.astronautix.com/t/tsiklon-4.html . dead . August 22, 2016 . Encyclopedia Astronautica . 8 August 2016.
- Web site: Brazil Pulling Out of Ukrainian Cyclone-4 Launcher Project . Space News . Peter B. . de Selding . 16 April 2015 . 9 April 2016.
- News: T-minus 1 year until rocket launch site construction starts in Nova Scotia . CBC News . Brett . Ruskin . Cassie . Williams . 14 March 2017 . 18 March 2017.
- News: Exclusive: Maritime Launch Services Selects Nova Scotia Site for Spaceport Over 13 Other Locations . SpaceQ . Marc . Boucher . 14 March 2017 . 18 March 2017.
- Web site: Golubeva . Alena . Максим Дегтярев: "Спрос на выведение грузов на орбиту будет расти" . Maxim Degtyarev: "The demand for placing cargo into orbit will grow" . GMK Center . 9 April 2021 . 11 May 2021 . ru . Компания получила разрешение, оформляет документы на получение земельного участка и уже в текущем году рассчитывает начать строительные работы. Сколько времени уйдет на строительство космодрома? – Три-четыре года. [The company has received permission, and is preparing documents for obtaining a land plot and expects to start construction work this year. How long will it take to build the cosmodrome? – Three or four years.].
- Web site: Willick . Frances . Canso spaceport secures $10.5M, aims for first launch next year . . 12 May 2021 . 14 May 2021.
