 KVTK (left) andBriz-M (right) upper stages | |
| Manufacturer | Khrunichev |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Russia |
| Used on | Angara A5 (upper stage) |
| General characteristics | |
| Height | 10.4 m (34 ft)[1] |
| Diameter | 3.8 m (12 ft)[1] |
| Propellant mass | 19,600 kg (43,200 lb)[1] |
| Powered by | 1 ×RD-0146D |
| Maximum thrust | 68.6 kN (15,400 lbf)[1] |
| Specific impulse | 463 s (4.54 km/s)[1] |
| Burn time | 1,350 seconds |
| Propellant | LOX /LH2 |
TheKVTK (Russian:Кислородно-Водородный Тяжёлого Класса,romanized: Kislorodno-Vodorodnyy Tyazhologo Klassa,lit. 'Oxygen-Hydrogen Heavy Class') is a liquid oxygen/hydrogenupper stage for high energy orbits that is currently under development. The KVTK contains anRD-0146D engine and is designed for use onAngara rockets.[1] KVTK would be the first hydrogen-powered upper stage for use on a Russian launch vehicle, althoughKhrunichev has previously produced a hydrogen-powered upper stage (KVD-1) for theIndian Space Research Organisation'sGSLV.[2] KVTK is designed to provide up to five ignitions, allowing for complex orbital maneuvering, and have an on-orbit lifespan of up to nine hours. KVTK would allow an increase in payload to GTO of 20-50% compared to the Angara A5's standardBriz-M upper stage, powered by UDMH and N2O4.[3]
The KVTK was originally studied as an upper stage for the Energia family of rockets, but in 1987 was superseded by the RCS stage (Retro and Corrections Stage), based loosely on the AmericanS-IVB. In 1996, consideration was briefly given to constructing a KVTK-derived Russian Propulsion Module for the International Space Station. Most likely, this module would have been transported to the ISS by a Space Shuttle.
On 10 December 2020,Roscosmos signed a 20.6 billionRussian ruble (US$279M as of December 2020) contract with Khrunichev to manufacture KVTK test models and flight test them by December 2025.[4]
In August 2021, Khrunichev announced that the first flight test of the KVTK is expected to occur in 2027 on anAngara-A5M launch vehicle.[5]
TheKVSK (RCAF)would be a smaller cryogenic stage carrying 10,760 kilograms (23,720 lb) of propellant for the proposed Angara A3,[6] while theKVSK-A7would be a larger stage loaded with 26,500 kilograms (58,400 lb) for the proposed Angara A7.[7]
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