Corona (launch vehicle)

2023: Product Announcement

Russia In created a reusable launch vehicle (RN) "Corona," which can return large objects from orbit to Earth. This is a development, State Missile Center named after Academician V.P. Makeev reported in "" in Roskosmos August 2023.

"Corona" is designed to launch spacecraft (spacecraft) and spacecraft from booster units (RB) into low Earth circular orbits 200-500 km high. The launch vehicle has a launch weight of 280-290 tons and is designed to launch payloads weighing up to 7 tons with traditional use or up to 12 tons with a special scheme for launching into low Earth orbits. With the use of reusable booster units forming a launch complex with it, the launch vehicle provides launch into orbits with an inclination of up to 110 ° to altitudes of 10,000 km and return from them if necessary.

RN "Crown"

Upon returning to Earth, a rocket controlled by jet thrusters performs active maneuvering using the lifting force of the hull in the upper atmosphere to enter the cosmodrome area. Take-off and landing is carried out using simplified launch facilities with a take-off and landing site. Start and landing using take-off and landing shock absorbers located in the aft part. This type of launch vehicle can be used for launches from offshore platforms, since it does not need a runway for landing and can use the same take-off and landing platform, the developers say.

According to Roscosmos on August 8, 2023, the Makeev Missile Center is conducting research work to confirm the main key technologies for creating the Corona launch vehicle with the involvement of the head institutes and enterprises of Roscosmos^[1]

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