RD-0146

The RD-0146 is a Russian cryogenic rocket engine. The RD-0146 engine was developed by KBKhA design bureau in Voronezh, Russia, in cooperation with the American Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne company. In 2009, it came into prominence, as Russian space agency chose it for the second-stage of the proposed Rus-M launch vehicle designed to carry the future Russian PPTS crewed spacecraft.[1] After the cancellation of Rus-M rocket, the RD-0146D variant was selected as the powerplant for the KVTK upper stage.

RD-0146D
Model of RD-0146
Country of originRussia
Date2001
DesignerKBKhA Design Bureau
ManufacturerTsSKB Progress
Applicationengine for KVTK upper stage
Liquid-fuel engine
PropellantLOX / LH2
CycleExpander cycle
Configuration
Chamber1
Performance
Thrust (vac.)68.6 kN (15,400 lbf)
Chamber pressure5.9 megapascals (860 psi)
Isp (vac.)470 seconds (4.6 km/s)
Dimensions
Length3.558 metres (11.67 ft)
Diameter1.95 metres (6 ft 5 in)

Development

In 1999, Khrunichev requested KBKhA to develop RD-0146U version of the engine for Proton and Angara rockets. The development of the engine was partially financed by Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne. Pratt & Whitney signed a preliminary marketing agreement on April 7, 2000 with Russia's Chemical Automatics Design Bureau giving Pratt & Whitney exclusive international marketing rights to the RD-0146.[1]

Description

The RD-0146 is the first Russian rocket engine not to feature a gas generator and to be equipped with extendable nozzle extension without a cooling system. The engine is capable of five firings and thrust control in two planes. According to the developer, the lack of a gas generator system ensures higher reliability of the engine for multiple firings, by removing the potential of an ignition failure in the engine power cycle.

See also

Comparable engines

References
  1. "RD-0146 rocket engine".
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