RSC Progress Wins the Super-heavy Lift Rocket Development Contract

MOSCOW (Roscosmos PR) — On December 15, 2020, a state contract was signed between Roscosmos and Progress Rocket Space Center (Samara, part of Roscosmos) to develop key elements and technologies for creating a super-heavy space rocket complex.

The contract provides for the development and release of a technical design for a space rocket complex with a super-heavy launch vehicle and an upper stage. Alexander Cherevan, Soyuz-5 launch vehicle Chief Designer at RSC Progress, has been appointed the head of works.

RSC Progress specialists completed a preliminary design determining the main technical characteristics of launch vehicle, working out options for assembling the rocket, including mobile assembly and maintenance complex at the universal launch complex. The technical design implies estimated weight of the launched payload from 125 to 147 tons for low-earth orbit and up to 27 tons for the moon orbit, depending on the version of the launch vehicle.

In accordance with the contract, the technical design for the super-heavy rocket complex must be developed and submitted for consideration to Roscosmos in 2021.