Research and Production Association (NPO) "Energomash" has completed a three-month cycle of eight fire tests of the first finishing liquid rocket power unit RD-171MV, known as the "tsar-engine". This is reported by Roscosmos.
According to the state corporation, the tests carried out confirmed the performance of the power unit and the correctness of the design solutions chosen for its creation. "Now, according to the results, we can say — yes, the engine took place!" — said the general director of the NGO Igor Arbuzov.
In the message of the state corporation, it is noted that in the future, the RD-171MV is planned to be sent to the Progress Rocket and Space Center, where the power unit should take part in tests as part of the first stage of the promising Soyuz-5 rocket.
In June 2020, Roscosmos announced that it would produce 20 RD-171MV engines by 2027, which would be required for the Soyuz-5 medium-heavy rocket (Irtysh) and the Yenisei super-heavy carrier.
The RD-171MV is an upgraded version of the RD-170 powertrain developed in the USSR for the superheavy Energia rocket.
The launch mass of the two-stage Soyuz-5 rocket is about 530 tons, length 61.87 meters, diameter 4.1 meters, first-stage engine-RD171MV, second-stage engine-RD0124MS. Fuel components: the oxidizer is liquid oxygen, the fuel is naphthyl. The mass of the payload to be launched into low-Earth orbit from the Baikonur cosmodrome is about 18 tons. Flight tests of the carrier are scheduled for 2023.
The first stages of the Soyuz-5 are to become side boosters of the superheavy Yenisei rocket, whose flight tests from Vostochny are scheduled for 2027.
Ivan Potapov
