TheRD-58 (Russian:Ракетный Двигатель-58,romanized: Raketnyy Dvigatel-58,lit.'Rocket Engine 58',GRAU index:11D58) is arocket engine, developed in the 1960s byOKB-1, nowRKK Energia. The project was managed byMikhail Melnikov, and it was based on the previousS1.5400 engine, which was the firststaged combustion engine in the world.[1] The engine was initially created to power theBlok D stage of theSoviet Union's abortiveN1 rocket.[5] Derivatives of this stage are now used as upper stages on someProton andZenit rockets.[6] An alternative version of the RD-58 chamber, featuring a shorter nozzle, was used as the N1's roll-control engine.
TheBuran spacecraft used two of an evolution of theRD-58M, called17D12, as its main orbital correction engines. Instead ofRG-1, it burnedSyntin, and could be ignited 15 times.[11][12] It is assumed that it was the base for theRD-58S, which had practically the same specifications and powered theBlok DM-2M.[13] But the manufacturer states that the engine is compatible with both propellants.[1]
The current version of the engine is theRD-58M (manufacturer designation 11D58M), which has slightly reduced thrust, but increased isp. An even newer version is under development and is known as theRD-58MF (manufacturer designation 11D58MF). It will reduce thrust to 49.03 kilonewtons (11,020 lbf) to keep the same length but increase expansion ratio to 500:1. This will enable it to gain 20s of isp (to an expected 372s). It will eventually fly on theBlok DM-03.[14] This new version of the engine will be built in theKrasnoyarsk Machine-Building Plant.[15][16] During a November 2014 interview, Vladimir Kolmykov, the Deputy General Director of the Chemical Division of Krasnoyarsk Machine-Building Plant, stated that the production of Block-DM was suspended during that year, but work on the stage and development of the RD-58MF will resume during 2015.[17]
RD-58M (GRAU Index11D58M): Improved version developed for theProton Blok D.[7][19]
RD-58M (Carbon-carbon nozzle): Version of the RD-58M that replaces the regeneratively cooled nozzle for acarbon-carbon extension manufactured by NPO Iskra. Used onZenit-3SL'sBlok DM-SL since June 10, 2003 on theThuraya 2 launch.[8][9][10]
RD-58MF (GRAU Index11D58MF): Reduced thrust and increased specific impulse version expected to fly on the Proton andZenitBlok DM-03. Will probably also use acarbon-carbon nozzle extension.[20]
RD-58S (GRAU Index11D58S): Version designed to useSyntin synthetic propellant rather thanRG-1. Used on theBlok DM-2M. Probably developed based on the 17D12.[13][21][22]
RD-58Z (GRAU Index11D58Z): Version adapted to the Zenit Blok DM-SL.[9][23]
^ab"DESCRIPTION OF ZENIT-2SLB, ZENIT-3SLB, ZENIT-3SLBF INTEGRATED LAUNCH VEHICLES".Land Launch User's Guide (Revision B)(PDF). Space International Services. 2014-10-01. p. 29. Archived fromthe original(PDF) on 2016-06-25. Retrieved2015-06-03.
^Kiselev, Anatoli I.; Medvedev, Alexander A.; Menshikov, Valery A. (2012). "Section 2.2.2 Carrier rocket booster units".Astronautics: Summary and Prospects. Springer Science & Business Media. pp. 304–305.ISBN978-3-7091-0648-8.