Soyuz-U2
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 A Soyuz-U rocket, visually identical to the Soyuz-U2 |
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| Function | Orbital carrier rocket |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Samara Progress |
| Country of origin |  Soviet Union(  Russia) |
| Size | |
| Height | 34.54 metres (113.3 ft) |
| Diameter | 2.95 metres (9 ft 8 in) |
| Mass | 297,800 kilograms (657,000 lb) |
| Stages | 2 |
| Capacity | |
| Payload to LEO |
7,050 kilograms (15,500 lb) |
| Associated rockets | |
| Family | R-7 (Soyuz) |
| Launch history | |
| Status | Retired |
| Launch sites | LC-1/5 & 31/6, Baikonur Possibly Plesetsk |
| Total launches | 66-92 |
| Successes | 66-90 |
| Failures | 0-2 |
| Maiden flight | 23 December 1982 |
| Last flight | 3 or 29 September 1995 |
| Notable payloads | Soyuz Progress Yantar |
The Soyuz-U2 (GRAU index 11A511U2) was a Soviet, later Russian, carrier rocket. It was derived from the Soyuz-U, and a member of the R-7 family of rockets. It featured increased performance compared to the baseline Soyuz-U, due to the use of syntin propellant, as opposed to RP-1 paraffin, used on the Soyuz-U.[1]
The increased payload of the Soyuz-U2 allowed heavier spacecraft to be launched, while lighter spacecraft could be placed in higher orbits, compared to those launched by Soyuz-U rockets. In 1996, it was announced that the Soyuz-U2 had been retired, as the performance advantage gained through the use of syntin did not justify the additional cost of its production. The final flight had occurred in the previous year.[2]
The Soyuz-U2 was primarily used to launch Yantar reconnaissance satellites, and Soyuz and Progress spacecraft to the Mir space station. Due to the similarity between the Soyuz-U and U2, the exact number of Soyuz-U2 launches is in doubt, with estimates ranging from 66 to 92 launches. It is also unclear how many launches failed, however most sources suggest there were either zero or two failures.[1][2][3][4]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b Wade, Mark. "Soyuz". Encyclopedia Astronautica. http://www.astronautix.com/lvs/soyuz.htm. Retrieved on 2008-12-24.
- ^ a b "Soyuz-U2 (Russian Federation), SPACE LAUNCH VEHICLES - ORBITAL". Jane's. http://www.janes.com/articles/Janes-Space-Systems-and-Industry/Soyuz-U2-Russian-Federation.html. Retrieved on 2008-12-24.
- ^ Krebs, Gunter. "Soyuz-U2 (11A511U2)". Gunter's Space Page. http://space.skyrocket.de/index_frame.htm?http://www.skyrocket.de/space/doc_lau_det/soyuz-u2.htm. Retrieved on 2008-12-24.
- ^ McDowell, Jonathan. "R-7 family". Launch Lists. Jonathan's Space Page. http://planet4589.org/space/lvdb/launch/R-7. Retrieved on 2008-12-24.
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