The Soyuz-U2 (GRAU index 11A511U2) was a Soviet, later Russian, carrier rocket. It was derived from the Soyuz-U, and a member of the R-7 family of rockets. It featured increased performance compared with the baseline Soyuz-U, due to the use of syntin propellant, as opposed to RP-1 paraffin, used on the Soyuz-U.[1]

Soyuz-U2
FunctionOrbital carrier rocket
ManufacturerSamara Progress
Country of originSoviet Union
Size
Height34.54 metres (113.3 ft)
Diameter2.95 metres (9 ft 8 in)
Mass297,800 kilograms (656,500 lb)
Stages2
Capacity
Payload to LEO
Mass7,050 kilograms (15,540 lb)
Associated rockets
FamilyR-7 (Soyuz)
Launch history
StatusRetired
Launch sitesLC-1/5 & 31/6, Baikonur
Total launches72
Success(es)72
Failure(s)0
First flight23 December 1982
Last flight3 September 1995
Type of passengers/cargoSoyuz crew
Progress cargo
Zenit, Orlets spy satellites
Gamma telescope

The increased payload of the Soyuz-U2 allowed heavier spacecraft to be launched, while lighter spacecraft could be placed in higher orbits, compared to those launched by Soyuz-U rockets. In 1996, it was announced that the Soyuz-U2 had been retired, as the performance advantage gained through the use of syntin did not justify the additional cost of its production. The final flight, Soyuz TM-22, occurred on 3 September 1995 from Gagarin's Start in Baikonur.

The Soyuz-U2 was first used to launch four Zenit reconnaissance satellites, then it delivered crewed Soyuz spacecraft to space stations Salyut 7 and Mir: missions Soyuz T-12 to T-15 and Soyuz TM-1 to TM-22. It also supplied the stations with Progress cargo spacecraft: Progress 20 to Salyut 7, Progress 25 to 42 to Mir, followed by the new generation Progress M-1 to M-18 and finally M-23. Other missions included the Gamma telescope and three Orlets reconnaissance satellites. In total, Soyuz-U2 was launched 72 times and experienced no failures over its operational lifetime.[2][3]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Wade, Mark. "Soyuz 11A511U2". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on August 29, 2002. Retrieved 2008-12-24.
  2. ^ Krebs, Gunter. "Soyuz-U2 (11A511U2)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2008-12-24.
  3. ^ McDowell, Jonathan. "R-7 family". Launch Lists. Jonathan's Space Page. Archived from the original on 2008-06-22. Retrieved 2008-12-24.