Intercontinental ballistic missile. Country: Russia. Status: Study 1961. Korolev studied this Multimodular Rocket (MR), based on stages already designed for the 8K74 and 8K77 (R-7 and R-9) missiles. The concept seems to have been promoted in competition with Chelomei's UR-200, for the launcher could be used for similar missions:
- Military global rocket (orbital bombing system) of unlimited range
- ICBM
- Launch vehicle for anti-satellites
- Space exploration
The three-stage version of the rocket would have a total mass of 101 tonnes, an empty mass of 10 tonnes, and first, second, and third stage thrusts of 140 tonnes, 45 tonnes, and 10 tonnes. An ICBM would be composed of just the first and second stages, and an IRBM from the first stage alone.
As was the case of the 8K74, work on the design was stopped in September 1961.
Manufacturer: Korolev. Liftoff Thrust: 1,400.000 kN (314,700 lbf). Total Mass: 101,000 kg (222,000 lb).
MR Chronology
1961 September - Korolev closes work on MR, 8K79 missiles. From 1960 to 1961 Korolev's design bureau worked on the single stage 8K79 military rocket. The 25 tonne missile could hurl an 800 kg warhead over a 2300 km range. A competing missile was selected for the requirement. Korolev's MR was based on stages already designed for the 8K74 and 8K77 missiles. The three-stage space launch version of the rocket would have a total mass of 101 tonnes; an ICBM version would be composed of just the first and second stages, and an IRBM version from the first stage alone.
Bibliography:- Vetrov, G S, S. P. Korolev i evo delo, Nauka, Moscow, 1998.