- For other uses, see Zenit (disambiguation).
| Zenit 2/3SL | ||
|---|---|---|
| ||
| Stages | 2 or 3 | |
| 1st<sup:> Stage | Engines | One RD-171 (four-chambered) |
| Maximum thrust | 7.259 MN (sea-level), 7.908 MN (vacuum) | |
| Burn time | 150 s | |
| Fuels | RP-1/LOX | |
| Isp<sub:> (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<sup:> 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<sub:> (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<sup:> Stage | Engines | One 11D58M |
| Thrust | 84.9 kN | |
| Burn time | 650 s | |
| Fuels | RP-1/LOX | |
| Isp<sub:> (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<sup:> 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. Zenit was built in the 1980s for two purposes: as a Liquid Rocket Booster for the Energia rocket and, equipped with a second stage, as a stand-alone rocket. Moreover Zenit was planned to take over manned spaceship launches from Soyuz, but these plans were abandoned after the fall of the Soviet Union.
Zenits are launched from Russia's Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, and by the Sea Launch organization's floating launch platform in the Pacific Ocean. The engines of the Zenit's first and second stages as well as the upper stage of the Zenit-3SL rocket are supplied by Russia. Since the Zenit is not built 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. There are plans to use an improved Zenit-3SLB rocket for commercial launches from Baikonur Cosmodrome beginning with 2007.
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 tonne to LEO | ≈6 tonne 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 |