Roscosmos reports that engineers are preparing for a series of test firings on the first stage of the new Soyuz-2.1v rocket. Also known as Soyuz-1, this is a stripped down “light” version of the venerable rocket without any strap-on boosters that uses a different first-stage engine, the NK-33. The two-stage booster is based upon the Soyuz-2.1b, sharing the rocket’s RD-0124 second stage engine. The new rocket, set to debut later […]
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“NK-33”
RIA Novosti reports that Russia will debut a new version of its venerable Soyuz rocket next year that will launch lighter payloads into orbit. The rocket will be a modification of the standard booster, with the following features: removal of booster rockets use of NK-33 rocket engines on the first stage identical second stage payload capacity of 2.85 tons (6,300 lb) to 200-kilometer orbit. Launches will be carried out from […]
Artist's conception of Obital Sciences Corporation's Taurus II rocket set for launch at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport on Wallops Island, Virginia.
AEROJET PRESS RELEASE
Aerojet, a GenCorp (NYSE: GY) company, and its Russian partner United Engine Corporation (UEC), announced today the signing of a cooperation agreement regarding their next steps in the companies’ cooperative efforts to provide NK-33 and AJ26 rocket engines to the commercial launch market.