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Nuclear orbital launch vehicle. Year: 1949. Family: N. Country: Russia. Status: Development ended 1949. First large space launcher considered in the Soviet Union. It would have had the same layout as the R-7, but with six strap-ons increased in size by 50%. The core, igniting at altitude, used a nuclear thermal engine using ammonia as propellant. Dropped in favor of development of conventional chemical propulsion. Manufacturer: Korolev. LEO Payload: 40,000 kg (88,000 lb). to: 185 km Orbit. Liftoff Thrust: 12,422.800 kN (2,792,757 lbf). Total Mass: 888,000 kg (1,957,000 lb). Core Diameter: 3.33 m (10.92 ft). Total Length: 44.00 m (144.00 ft).
Stage Data - YaKhR-2 - Stage Number: 0. 6 x Stage: YaKhR-2 Strap-on. Gross Mass: 110,000 kg (240,000 lb). Empty Mass: 8,250 kg (18,180 lb). Thrust (vac): 2,393.724 kN (538,131 lbf). Isp: 311 sec. Burn time: 125 sec. Isp(sl): 269 sec. Diameter: 3.33 m (10.92 ft). Span: 3.33 m (10.92 ft). Length: 27.00 m (88.00 ft). Propellants: Lox/Kerosene. No Engines: 6. Engine: RD-111. Status: Development ended 1949. R-7 strap-ons increased in size dimensionally 50%, equipped with 6 engines from R-9. Boost nuclear thermal core stage to altitude before ignition of nuclear engine. Masses calculated based on vehicle total weight and performance.
- Stage Number: 1. 1 x Stage: YaKhR-2 Core. Gross Mass: 180,000 kg (390,000 lb). Empty Mass: 22,000 kg (48,000 lb). Thrust (vac): 1,660.000 kN (373,180 lbf). Isp: 470 sec. Burn time: 430 sec. Isp(sl): 430 sec. Diameter: 3.33 m (10.92 ft). Span: 3.33 m (10.92 ft). Length: 37.00 m (121.00 ft). Propellants: Nuclear/Ammonia. No Engines: 1. Engine: YaRD OKB-456. Status: Development ended 1949. Engines in development by Bondayuk and Glushko. Alternate propellants ammonia only or ammonia/alcohol mixture. Four expansion nozzles fed by single reactor. Masses calculated based on given vehicle gross weight and performance.
Bibliography and Further Reading - Semenov, Yu. P., S P Korolev Space Corporation Energia, RKK Energia, 1994. ISBN: 1896522815. Dual English/Russian language picture book of the history of the Energia Corporation. Many unique photos and drawings of Korolev's rockets and spacecraft. Republished by Apogee books in 2000. More at amazon.com...
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