Congratulations Proton on its 40th Anniversary!

[syndroma]

http://www.ilslaunch.com/newsarchives/newsreleases/rec311/<br /><br />"The Proton launcher, one of ILS' two anchor vehicles, celebrates the 40th anniversary of its first launch on July 16. Initially known as UR-500, the vehicle was originally conceived to serve as both an intercontinental ballistic missile and a space launch vehicle.<br /><br />The first four flights lofted "Proton" satellites, and the vehicle then adopted that name. From the two-stage configuration of its early years, the Proton has grown to the three- and four-stage workhorse of the Russian fleet.<br /><br />Proton rockets have played a role in many historic events, such as launching interplanetary missions that produced the first samples of the lunar surface to be returned by an unmanned spacecraft, and the first soft landing on the surface of Venus. Proton continues to support the Russian government's satellite launch requirements, provides vital transportation to the International Space Station, and carries out commercial space launches for International Launch Services."<br /><br /><br />Proton assembly:<br />http://www.khrunichev.ru/khrunichev/upload/images/foto/RN_RB/proton/proton_MIK.jpg<br /><br />Proton being lifted on pad:<br />http://www.federalspace.ru/PictFiles/ustanov.jpg<br /><br />Proton staying on pad with Zvezda module on top:<br />http://www.globenet.free-online.co.uk/images/pizzahut.jpg<br /><br />Lots of images and drafts of Proton:<br />http://tihiy.fromru.com/Rn/RN_Proton.htm

 

[JonClarke]

In its various guises Proton has launched probes to the moon, Mars, Venus, and Halley's comet, scientific and earth observations satellites in LEO, prototype manned spacecraft, communications satellites to GEO, and both space stations and space station modules. A true workhorse.<br /><br />Jon <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars</em>  Arthur Clarke</p> </div>

 

[wvbraun]

Does anyone know why Proton has not been considered as a launch vehicle for Kliper?

 

[najab]

I don't know, but a first guess might be due to the toxicity of it's propellants.

 

[syndroma]

Kliper is too light for it. Besides, Proton is quite expensive.

 

[ehs40]

congratulations

 

[alokmohan]

Proton will take us to very far places I suppose.

 

[JonClarke]

Hypergolics have been flown on every manned mission. they have also launched Gemini and Shenzhou. Proton was man-rated for the L1 (Zond) and the TKS missions. So hypergolics are not an issue. I know the Russians want to eventually phase out Proton because of environmental concerns about contaminating the steppes with residual toxins. Designing Kliper for other launchers (Onager, Zenit) may have been a factor for this. But also 20 tonnes to LEO capacity of Proton was excessive for the 13-15 tonne Klipper.<br /><br />Jon<br /><br />Jon <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars</em>  Arthur Clarke</p> </div>

 

[CalliArcale]

Well, there's hydrozine and there's hydrozine -- UDMH is, I'm told, a bit more dangerous than Aerozine-50 (which is what Titan uses). But it's still nasty, and the oxidizers can be pretty nasty too -- Proton uses the very popular nitrogen tetroxide. (So does Titan, of course.)<br /><br />Hypergolics were very popular for ICBMs, before solids were scaled up enough. You can't acheive a liquid-fueled 5-minute launch capability without hypergolics. And of course they are the propellant of choice for in-space maneuvering, for exactly the same reason -- you can store them for a long time without them boiling away like cryogenics, and you don't need an igniter so the engine is much simpler and more reliable. But they are toxic, heavy, and less efficient than cryogenics, so their time as the primary propellant for launch vehicles is probably limited.<br /><br />Proton is going to be around for a while, though. It's a heckuva vehicle for lofting heavy commsats to geosynchronous transfer orbit. Too bad it never got the chance to lift people. It probably never will.<br /><br />Happy birthday, Proton. <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#666699"><em>"People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but actually from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint it's more like a big ball of wibbly wobbly . . . timey wimey . . . stuff."</em>  -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink"</font></p> </div>