Proton vs. Falcon: the battle for the right to be a space cab
GKNPTs them. Khrunichev 13 September 2016 announced the creation of the "Middle" and "Light" versions of the "Proton-M", according to a press release, the design bureau will make new modifications to the Proton launch vehicle. A Russian-American joint venture, International Launch Services (ILS), took part in the development.
The Khrunichev Center announces the expansion of the Proton PH product line with the Briz-M upper stage by creating two additional modifications - light and middle class
The new "Protons" will be presented in two versions - medium and light. The first launch of the average gravity of the Proton, according to the press release, is scheduled for 2018 year, easy - for 2019.
The basis of the new launch vehicles was taken by their predecessor, the Proton-M,
as well as the previously used Briz-M overclocking module.
The average Proton will repeat the configuration of the Proton-M with the possibility of installing the same four meter head fairing as the older model.
Two versions of fairings for the Proton-M, developed in conjunction with ILS
ILS- International Launch Services Inc.
In 1993, the GKNPTs, RSC Energia and the American Lockheed Corporation created the Lokhid-Khrunichev-Energy joint venture (LCE). The main goal of the joint venture was marketing launch services of the Proton launch vehicle. Within the framework of this enterprise, the GKNPTS provided manufacturing of the launch vehicle, adaptation of the payload to it, development and manufacturing of the fairing and provision of launch services. LHE joint venture 7 June 1995 was reorganized into JV International Launch Services Inc.
International Launch Services (ILS) has the exclusive right to marketing and commercial operation of the Russian heavy-duty carrier rocket Proton and the promising Angara space launch system. ILS is registered in 1995 in the United States, headquartered in Reston, Virginia. The controlling stake in ILS belongs to the Russian State Space Research and Production Center named after M.V. Khrunichev (Moscow), the developer and manufacturer of the Proton and Angara launch vehicles.
GKNPTs them. Khrunichev did not reinvent the wheel and used already tested configurations and models of equipment in the creation of the new “Protons”. The first stage of the middle and light “Proton” will repeat that in “Proton-M”, the head fairing with the upper stage “Breeze-M” is also the legacy of the “older” launch vehicle. The key differences between the Proton-M and the announced innovations are the rejection of the second stage to reduce the cost of launch.
Comparison of "Proton-M" and new models of PH / site GKNPTs them. Khrunichev
New missiles are optimized two-stage versions of the Proton-M, on which only the commercial load will be displayed.
It is assumed that the emergence of such carriers will allow for the cost-effective launch into various types of spacecraft into geostationary orbit (GSO). And this will enhance the commercial potential of Proton in the market of geostationary satellite launches.
The press release cites the following data regarding the payload of launch vehicles of the Proton line, equipped with a four-meter head fairing:
PH of the heavy class “Proton-M”, energy characteristics: 6300 kg at ΔV = 1500 m / s;
PH middle class "Proton Middle", the minimum energy characteristics: 5000 kg at ΔV = 1500 m / s;
PH light class "Proton Light", the minimum energy characteristics: 3600 kg at ΔV = 1500 m / s.
In 2018, the Khrunichev Center plans to provide the first launch of a middle-class two-stage Proton rocket. It will have the standard configuration of the Proton-M carrier. It is planned to use a head fairing with a diameter of 4 meter. The payload capacity will be 5,0 tons when deriving the payload on a typical geo-transient orbit.
In 2019, the launch of the “light” version of “Proton” is planned. This modification will have four engines in the first stage and a head fairing with a diameter of 4 meters. Load capacity - 3,6 tons.
"Protons" fly with 1965 year and have undergone many modifications and improvements. Announcement of new lightweight models is a direct application of the domestic space industry to the fight for commercial launches, which will not only give the CB finance for further development and constant live missile launches, but also ensure the survival of the country's rocket and space industry as such.
Activation in this direction can be understood: successful commercial launches of SpaceX missiles, the announcement of Blue Origin's own launch vehicles and the development of space programs from other countries. At a certain point, the Russian space industry occupied a dominant position due to the abandonment of the program of space shuttles from the United States and a powerful base received from the USSR.
In modern realities, the creation of lighter and accessible for private companies of rockets is a necessity, since superheavy launchers no longer enjoy the same demand as before.
Back in 2015, the GKNPTs them. Khrunicheva reduced the cost of launching the Proton-M rocket from medium 95 million to about 70 million. Launched versions of the Proton will be even cheaper.
For comparison: now the output to the GPO of a satellite weighing up to 5,5 t using the Falcon 9 will cost the customer 62 million dollars (only on the condition that SpaceX will try to return the first stage and reduce costs). Quite possible, that it is a very significant difference in 8 million dollars and became the reason for the refusal of the Israelis from the withdrawal of the satellite Amos-6 using the Proton-M in favor of the Falcon 9which, unfortunately, exploded on the first of September during the pre-launch check.
In addition to the possible reduction in launch costs below 62 million dollars that the Mask company is asking for, Protons-M have been flying for about fifteen years, and from 98 known launches, only 10 of them have ended unsuccessfully. At the same time, the majority of failures are associated not with the rocket explosion at the start, but with the output of the payload (satellites) to the wrong orbit due to equipment failures.
The Republic of Belarus 14С43 “Breeze-M” is distinguished by a high degree of continuity of the design of previous developments that have successfully proven themselves in flights. Thus, the central fuel tank, which combines the remote control and pneumatic-hydraulic system units, came from the Republic of Belarus "Breeze-K", which flew as part of the Rokot launch vehicle. By design, the systems of separation and discharge of the head fairing (GO) are similar to the fairings of the modules of the Mir station, the Zarya module and universal head fairings of the UGO, created for the Proton-K commercial launches. In general, the continuity of aggregates and systems of the Republic of Belarus exceeds 90%.
Original designs (DTB, dry compartments, new units and systems) have been carefully developed and have been extensively tested. A new control system was developed and manufactured by the Moscow Design Bureau Mars, a new Pyrite telemetry measurement system — NPO IT, and a modified 14D30 propulsion engine — KBMH.
RB "Breeze-M", having a length of 2654 mm and the largest diameter 4100 mm, includes:
- central unit (diameter without upper screen - 2490 mm, length - 2654 mm),
- DTB toroidal shape (outer diameter - 4000 mm, internal - 2490 mm, length - 2071 mm),
- the lower spacer with a diameter of 4100 mm and a height of 583 mm.
The dry mass of the Republic of Belarus is 2600 kg, the maximum mass of fuel refilled (AT + NDMG) 19800 kg (5200 kg in the central unit and 14600 kg in DTB). The maximum mass of the PN output by the RB as part of the Proton-M PH 8K82KM to a geo-transfer orbit (GPO, 5500Х35786 km, 25 °) is 5500 kg, to the geostationary orbit (GSO) 3000 kg. The extended HE in the composition of the space head with the RB "Breeze-M" provides for the placement of the PN volume 97 м3. During active flight (24 hours), you can complete up to 10 main engine engagement.
The new line of "Protons", therefore, will include:
• A heavy class Proton – M + or Proton Heavy PH, outputting 6,3-7 tons of PN to GPO (with ΔV = 1500 m / s);
• Medium class PH “Proton Medium” (this is the current “Proton M” without a second stage), with 5 tons per GPO at the same ΔV = 1500 m / s;
• Light Proton PH “Light Proton” (this is the current “Proton M” without a second stage and with four engines instead of six in the first stage), outputting 3,6 tons per GPO under the same conditions.
It is possible that this project from 2012 will be revived - a heavy PH "Proton-M 1А (+)"
It was calculated that the use of two accelerators solid propellant "Topol-1" in the first stage of the carrier rocket Proton-M will increase the MO to 570 kg for launch into geostationary orbit. Two accelerators "Topol-1" at the first stage and two accelerators "Topol-2" for the second increases the "Proton-M" launch vehicle by 900 kg.
Another option - three Topol-1 boosters in the first stage and three Topol-2 boosters - will be able to deliver more payloads to the 1240 kg than the standard Proton-M. The use of boosters at the first stage of the rocket does not require too complex modifications of the carrier. Using accelerators "Topol-2" at the second stage of the rocket already requires some technical changes in its design.
Why side accelerators for solid propellant rocket engines were called "Topol" - I do not know ...;)
Information:
Market share of International Launch Services (ILS):
During the 2008-2014 years, the company made about 8 rocket launches of Proton-M with RB Briz-M per year. However, under the influence of competition, it lost 50 percent of the market and is now planning to launch 3-4 per year.
Basic world PH and their accident rate (data for 2014 year)
On 2016 g of 98 known launches PH "Proton" only 10 ended in failure. More precisely, five unsuccessful launches, in other cases Breeze-M let down (and then one partially unsuccessful, albeit emergency).
More than 8000 tons of cargo was put into orbit.
The cost of production of the launch vehicle in 2014 was estimated at about 1,5 billion rubles, while the services accompanying its launch were estimated at about 1 billion rubles.
Interesting shots.
Armor for the satellite: in the Khrunichev Space Center, a mechanism is checked that reveals the head fairing of the Proton launch vehicle in space. A rare opportunity to see the process on the ground.
Used photos, videos and documents
www.rbc.ru/
http://leninsk.ru/
http://www.astro.cz/
http://www.3dnews.ru/
https://en.wikipedia.org/
http://www.ilslaunch.com/
https://www.youtube.com/
http://www.roscosmos.ru/
http://www.khrunichev.com/
http://www.russianspaceweb.com/
Information