Yenisei (), project name RN STK-1 () is a rocket being developed by the Russian space industry. The main developer is RSC Energia.
It is being developed within the framework of the federal target program "Creation of a super-heavy class space rocket complex". The program was given a budget of 600 billion rubles (USD ~$6 billion). It is the main rocket of the Russian lunar exploration program.
The final design for the rocket was expected to be complete by autumn 2021, but the program appears to have been paused or stopped just before this expected completion date.
In 2024, it was announced that the project will resume in 2025.
The first launch was expected to happen in 2033 from the Vostochny Cosmodrome.
Based on the Yenisei launch vehicle, the Don launch vehicle (RN STK-2) is being developed by adding another stage.
Development The rocket got its name at the end of 2018, before that it was called "RN STK" (super-heavy launch vehicle).
Chronology of development. +EventDateStart of work on the creation of the RD-171MV engineJune 2017Start of research work on RD-0150 engineJune 2017Preliminary estimate of the cost of R&D on the RN STKOctober 2017Decree of the President of the Russian Federation on the creation of the RN STKJanuary 2018Official name for RN STKJanuary 2019Feasibility study of the RN STK projectSpring 2019Draft design2018-2019R&D, design, and construction works2020-2028Flight testsfrom 2028
Planned events October 2021 - end of technical design. 2026-2028 - construction and commissioning of infrastructure for a super-heavy launch vehicle and a medium-class rocket for launching crewed spacecraft from the Vostochny cosmodrome.
Design The first stage will consist of 6 blocks. Each block will be based on the first stage of the planned Irtysh / Soyuz-5 rocket with an RD-171MV engine.
The second stage will consist of one block - matching the first stage of Soyuz-6 with RD-180 as the engine.
The upper stage will be KVTK.
Accelerating braking unit: Block DM
Proposed variants +Name of a rocketYeniseiDonTypeStage oneStage twoFirst launch20282032–2035First stage6xRD-171MV6xRD-171MVSecond stageRD-180RD-180Third stage -2×RD-0150Upper stageKVTK, 2×RD-0146KVTK, 2×RD-0146Accelerating braking unitDM, 11D58MFDM, 11D58MFHeight (max.)Launch weight, t31673281Thrust (at ground level)Thrust-to-weight ratioPayload (LEO 200 km), t103140Payload (GTO 5500 km), tPayload (GEO 35,786 km), t2629.5Payload to TLI, t2733
Flight tests
Flight tests will take place in two stages from 2028 to 2035.
The first stage of testing will take place in 2028–2032. It involves the launch of a crewed spacecraft, a lunar take-off and landing complex (LVPK) and other payloads on the trajectory of the flight around the Moon and circumlunar orbits in order to work out the elements of a crewed complex, create a station in the orbit of the Moon, and land on the lunar surface.
The second stage of testing will take place in 2032–2035. It is planned to launch LVPK and other uncrewed payloads for the construction and operation of a base on the lunar surface. In addition, this stage involves participation in international programs related to the study of Mars.
Applications The super-heavy rocket is supposed to be used in the Russian lunar program, since the carrying capacity of the Angara-A5V launch vehicle (37.5 tons to LEO) is insufficient for these purposes.
Lunar program payloads
20-ton Orel spacecraft. 27-ton lunar landing and takeoff complex (LPVK). 32-ton lunar base module.
Satellite constellation
Spacecraft up to 30 tons to geostationary orbit Space telescopes 30-40 tons to the L2 Lagrange point in the Sun-Earth system
See also
Space Launch System Falcon Heavy Starship Long March 9
References