Russia's Khrunichev State Space Research and Production Centre has introduced a family of launchers which could compete in the commercial market by 2001.
The largest of the five proposed Angara launchers has a maximum performance to low earth orbit of 28t and can place 7,600kg (16,520lb) into geostationary transfer orbit.
The development will enable the Angara to compete with the new commercial Boeing Delta IV and Lockheed Martin Atlas 5 launchers being developed as a result of the US Air Force Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle programme and with Europe's Ariane 5.
Khrunichev director general Anatoli Kiselev says the launchers will use a common core booster with an RD-191M engine and options for two high performance upper stages. Larger launchers would have clusters of core boosters.
The engine is a version of the liquid oxygen/kerosene RD-170 with a single combustion chamber. The RD-170 was developed for the Energia heavylift booster and powers the first stage of the Zenit 2.
The upper stages include the Breeze M being prepared for its first flight on a Proton booster later this year and a new high energy stage called the KVRB.
Source: Flight International
