Soyuz-2-1v

Soyuz 2.1v

Launch of an Soyuz 2.1v carrying Kosmos 2525 military satellite on 28 March 2018.
Function	Medium-lift launch vehicle
Manufacturer	Progress
Country of origin	Russia
Size
Height	44 m (144 ft)
Diameter	3 m (9.8 ft)
Mass	158,000 kg (348,000 lb)
Stages	2
Capacity
Payload to LEO
Altitude	200 km (120 mi)
Orbital inclination	51.8°
Mass	2,850 kg (6,280 lb)
Payload to LEO
Altitude	200 km (120 mi)
Orbital inclination	62.8°
Mass	2,800 kg (6,200 lb)
Associated rockets
Family	R-7 (Soyuz)
Based on	Soyuz 2
Comparable	Long March 2C PSLV
Launch history
Status	Active
Launch sites	Plesetsk, Site 43
Total launches	12
Success(es)	11
Partial failure(s)	1
First flight	28 December 2013
Last flight	9 February 2024
First stage
Height	27.77 m (91.1 ft)
Diameter	2.95 m (9 ft 8 in)
Empty mass	11,000 kg (24,000 lb)
Gross mass	129,000 kg (284,000 lb)
Powered by	N2O4 / UDMH
[edit on Wikidata]

The Soyuz 2.1v (Russian: Союз 2.1в, Union 2.1v), GRAU index 14A15,^[3] known early in development as the Soyuz 1, is a expendable Russian medium-lift launch vehicle. It is derivative of the Soyuz 2 but utilizing a single core stage (no boosters) built around the powerful NK-33 engine, 50-year-old refurbished remnants from the Soviet N1 moon rocket. It is a member of the R-7 family of rockets built by Progress in Samara. Launches have been conducted from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northwest Russia, and are expected to be conducted in the future from the Vostochny Cosmodrome in eastern Russia,^[4] and the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.^[5]

The Soyuz 2.1v represents a major departure from earlier Soyuz rockets. Unlike the Soyuz 2 upon which it is based, it does away with the four boosters used on all other R-7 vehicles. The single first stage core stage is built around the powerful single-chamber NK-33 engine replacing the four-chamber RD-108 along with structural modifications. Since the NK-33 is fixed, the stage is also equipped with four RD-0110R, a vernier engine for thrust vector control. The RD-0110R engines add 230.5 kN (51,800 lb_f) thrust and heats the pressurization gases.^[6]

The NK-33 engines were built in the 1970s for the cancelled Soviet N1 Moon rocket. These surplus engines offer increased performance over the RD-108; however, only a limited number of engines are available. Once the supply is exhausted, the NK-33 will be replaced by the RD-193. In April 2013, it was announced that the RD-193 engine had completed testing. The RD-193 is a lighter and shorter engine based on the Angara's RD-191, which is itself a derivative of the Zenit's RD-170.^[7]

The second stage of the Soyuz 2.1v is the same as the third stage of the Soyuz 2.1b;^[8] powered by an RD-0124 engine. Most missions will use a Volga upper stage to transfer the payload from an initial parking orbit to its final destination. The Volga is derived from the propulsion system of the Yantar reconnaissance satellite, and was developed as a lighter and cheaper alternative to the Fregat that is used on many Soyuz 2 missions.

The Soyuz 2.1v was designed to serve lighter payloads with a payload capacity of 2,850 kg (6,280 lb) to a 200 km (120 mi) circular low Earth orbit with an inclination of 51.8° from Baikonur, and 2,800 kg (6,200 lb) to a 200 kilometre orbit at 62.8° from Plesetsk.^[5][9]

• List of R-7 launches