Zenit rocket
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- For other uses, see Zenit (disambiguation).
| Zenit 2/3SL | ||
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| Missing image Zenit-2_rocket_ready_for_launch.jpg Zenit-2 rocket (Baikonur, 10 Dec. 2001) | ||
| Stages | 2 or 3 | |
| 1st Stage | Engines | One RD-171 (four-chambered) |
| Maximum thrust | 7.259 kN (sea-level), 7.908 (vacuum) | |
| Burn time | 150 s | |
| Fuels | RP-1/LOX | |
| Isp (N·s/kg) | 3,200 (vacuum), 2,990 (sea level) | |
| Mass | 28,600 kg (empty), 354,300 kg (fueled) | |
| Dimensions | length: 32.9 m, diameter: 3.9 m | |
| 2nd Stage | Engines | One RD-120 and one RD-8 |
| Thrust | 912 kN and 79,5 kN | |
| Burn time | 315 s | |
| Fuels | RP-1/LOX | |
| Isp (N·s/kg) | 3,350 (vacuum) | |
| Mass | 9,000 kg (empty), 90,600 kg (fueled) | |
| Dimensions | length: 11.5 m, diameter: 3.9 m | |
| 3rd Stage | Engines | One 11D58M |
| Thrust | 84.9 kN | |
| Burn time | 650 s | |
| Fuels | RP-1/LOX | |
| Isp (N·s/kg) | 3,380 (vacuum) | |
| Mass | 2,720 kg (empty), 17,300 kg (fueled) | |
| Dimensions | length: 5.6 m, diameter: 3.7 m | |
| Two stage version (Zenit-2) | ||
| Payload to LEO | 13,740 kg | |
| Payload to PEO | 5,000 kg | |
| Payload to GEO | Not designed for GEO | |
| Three stage version (Zenit-3SL) | ||
| Payload to LEO | 6,100 kg,
3rd stage structural limitation | |
| Payload to MEO | 3,965 kg (10,000 km, 45°) | |
| Payload to GEO | 1,840 kg | |
| Payload to GTO | 5,250 kg (upgraded to 6,000+ kg) | |
The Zenit rocket (Ukrainian: Зеніт, Russian: Зени́т; meaning Zenith) is a space launch vehicle manufactured by the Yuzhnoe Design Bureau of Ukraine. Zenits are launched from Russia's Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, and by the Sea Launch organization's floating launch platform in the Pacific Ocean. Since the Zenit is not produced in Russia, it is planned to be replaced in that service by the new and yet unflown Angara rocket, although Russia does still use the Zenit. Sea Launch company continues to market the Zenit.
On 26 April 2005, a Zenit 3SL operated by Sea Launch broke the record for heaviest commercial communications satellite ever launched into orbit. The satellite, DirecTV's SPACEWAY-1 weighed 6080 kg (13,400 lb).
Current models:
| Zenit-2 | Zenit-3SL | |
|---|---|---|
| Stages | 2 | 3 |
| Total length | 57 m | 59.6 m |
| Total empty mass | 37,600 kg | 40,320 kg |
| Total gross mass | 444,900 kg | 462,200 kg |
| Payload | 13.74 Mg to LEO | ~6 Mg to GTO |
| Launch site | Baikonur Cosmodrome | Sea Launch ocean platform |
| Launches | 21 (6 failed) as of 2004-06-10 | 16 (2 failed) as of 2005-04-26 |
| Success ratio | 71.4% | 87.5% |
| Price per launch | ~$45 million | ~$90 million |