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A legend has it that, when in the wake of the post-Moon Race shake up at NPO Energia, Valentin Glushko took over a position of the Designer General, he put a condition before the Soviet government. A test stand had to be built for a full-scale version of a future heavy-lift vehicle, which would replace ill-fated N-1. The lack of such facility was widely blamed for the failure of the N-1 booster during four test launches. The Soviet government agreed with Glushko's terms. At the end of the 1970s, a giant test facility for the Energia rocket, which could also serve as the launch pad for the vehicle was founded at Site 250. Known as UKSS, from Russian abbreviation "Versatile Stand/Start," the pad became the biggest launch structure in Baikonur. It was set up at the edge of the giant artificial flame trench 40 meters deep. Unlike regular launch pad, the complex was designed to withstand the pressure of the engines with the total trust of 4,000 tons burning for dozens of seconds as the rocket remains attached to the pad during the test. A movable service tower equipped with cargo and passenger elevators and a crane, allowed access to the rocket in vertical position on the launch pad. UKSS command complex controlling pre-launch processing, fueling and the engine firing was located three kilometers from the pad at Site 250A. The facility was protected for a possible on-pad explosion. A special propellant storage complex (see photos below) is built several kilometers from the pad to support testing or launch. This complex can hold 3,60o tons of hydrogen, 3,600 tons of oxygen, 1,200 tons of kerosene and 3,000 tons of nitrogen. Duruing the live test firing, the Energia rocket was consuming around 11 tons of propellant every second!
The first launch from Site 250 May 15, 1987, 21:30 Moscow Time, Site 250: The first Energia super booster (Number 6SL) is launched from Site-251 in Baikonur carrying a Polyus military payload. The rocket performed flawlessly, however, Polyus orbital maneuvering system fired in the opposite direction due to the control system problem causing the payload to fall in the ocean.
Baiterek During 2004, Russian and Kazakh officials discussed the possibility of building a launch complex for the heavy version of the Angara rocket in Baikonur. A formal agreement between two governments on the construction of the complex dubbed Baiterek was reached on December 22, 2004. According to one proposal, the complex would use the former launch pad for the Proton rocket at Site 200, however an alternative plan called for deploying the complex at Site 250. In June 2005, the representative of the Khrunichev enterprise said that Kazakh funding for the construction of the launch complex for the Angara rocket had already started. At the time, the construction of the complex was expected to take from five to six years. The system would eventually replace Proton, which was expected to fly until 2010-2015. |
PICTURE GALLERY
Development scale model of Site 250. Copyright © 2002 by Anatoly Zak
The construction of the Energia test stand at Site 250. Credit: NIIKHIMMASH (top) and Baikonur Museum
The Energia rocket sits on just completed test stand at Site 250. Credit: Baikonur Museum
At the turn of the 21st century Energia complex at Site 250 is falling apart. Copyright © 2001 by Anatoly Zak
General view of Site 250 looking south from the Buran landing complex. Copyright © 2001 by Anatoly Zak Movable service tower at Site 250. View from the fueling tower. Copyright © 2001 by Anatoly Zak
Command and control area at Site 250A. Copyright © 2001 by Anatoly Zak
Propellant storage area serving Site 250. Copyright © 2001 by Anatoly Zak
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