R-56 Polyblock

Ukrainian heavy-lift orbital launch vehicle. One design approach considered for Yangel's R-56 superbooster of the 1960's was a polyblock design limited to rail transport restrictions (4 x 3.8 m diameter stages clustered together). Although a dynamic test model was built and tested at TsNIIMash, Yangel finally reached the conclusion that a monoblock design was clearly superior to polyblock versions. Further work on the polyblock design was abandoned. TsNIIMash exhibits in its small museum the 1:10 structural simulation model of the 3.8 m diameter polyblock design.

Payload: 35,000 kg (77,000 lb) to a 16,000 km range.

Stage Data - R-56 Polyblock

• Stage 1. 4 x R-56 Polyblock Stage A. Gross Mass: 222,000 kg (489,000 lb). Empty Mass: 18,000 kg (39,000 lb). Thrust (vac): 4,410.000 kN (991,400 lbf). Isp: 320 sec. Burn time: 142 sec. Isp(sl): 300 sec. Diameter: 4.00 m (13.10 ft). Span: 4.00 m (13.10 ft). Length: 24.00 m (78.00 ft). Propellants: Nitric acid/Kerosene. No Engines: 1. Engine: R-56 Blok A. Status: Development 1961. Comments: Range 16,000 km. Payload 35,000 kg. Tsniimash has 1:10 structural simulation model. Three stage carrier rocket with consecutively divided first and parallel divided second stages. Work began in 1961. Chief designer Yangel. Source: Placard, TsNIIMASH.

• Stage 2. 4 x R-56 Polyblock Stage B. Gross Mass: 55,500 kg (122,300 lb). Empty Mass: 5,000 kg (11,000 lb). Thrust (vac): 784.000 kN (176,250 lbf). Isp: 330 sec. Burn time: 205 sec. Diameter: 4.00 m (13.10 ft). Span: 4.00 m (13.10 ft). Length: 10.00 m (32.00 ft). Propellants: Nitric acid/Kerosene. No Engines: 1. Engine: R-56 Blok B. Status: Development 1961.

• Stage 3. 1 x R-56 Polyblock Stage B. Gross Mass: 55,500 kg (122,300 lb). Empty Mass: 5,000 kg (11,000 lb). Thrust (vac): 784.000 kN (176,250 lbf). Isp: 330 sec. Burn time: 205 sec. Diameter: 4.00 m (13.10 ft). Span: 4.00 m (13.10 ft). Length: 10.00 m (32.00 ft). Propellants: Nitric acid/Kerosene. No Engines: 1. Engine: R-56 Blok B. Status: Development 1961.