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Searching for details: The author of this page will appreciate comments, corrections and imagery related to the subject. Please contact Anatoly Zak. Related page: Soyuz-2 rocket
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A high-performance Fregat space tug originated as a boost stage for the Soviet Mars probes. It was later adapted for many deep space missions, thanks to its ability to fire engines multiple times and function in space for prolonged periods of time. Technical specifications of the Fregat upper stage (118; 207):
Formally, the development of the Fregat upper stage started in 1992 in conjunction with the Rus project, envisioning a series of upgrades of the Soyuz rocket family. The Fregat was expected to serve as a fourth (upper) stage of the Soyuz-2 rocket, delivering payloads from low "parking" orbits into various high-altitude orbits or sending planetary probes into deep space. Potentially, the Fregat could be adapted to serve as the third stage of the Soyuz rocket, instead of Block I stage, to form Vostok-2/Fregat booster. In such configuration, the rocket could launch cargo into low- and mid-altitude orbits, as well as into sun-synchronous orbits. Finally, Fregat could become the third stage of the Zenit rocket, or the fifth stage of the Proton M/Block D combination. When combined with Block D onboard the Proton, Fregat could deliver 3,500 kilograms of payload to geostationary orbit, compared to 2,600 kilograms without it. NPO Lavochkin claimed that Fregat's performance characteristics would exceed those of any contemporary vehicle. The stage inherited many of its components from previous Soviet hardware, reducing the development cost and increasing overall reliability of the system. Fregat-2 NPO Lavochkin also proposed the Fregat-2 version of the upper stage, equipped with a jettisonable external tank. If lifted by the Zenit rocket, the Fregat-2 could deliver 2,300 kilograms of payload into the geostationary orbit, while in combination with the Proton M rocket, 4,000 kilograms could be inserted into the same orbit. (118) Written and illustrated by Anatoly Zak; Last update: May 29, 2007 |
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Fregat upper stages at NPO Lavochkin's testing and checkout station, KIS. The development and test version is on the foreground, a demo version is on the background. Click to enlarge Copyright © 2001 Anatoly Zak
An original concept of the Fregat-2 upper stage with a jettisonable external tank, which was evaluated around 2001. Credit: NPO Lavochkin
Upgrading Soyuz with the off-the-shelf Fregat upper stage would enable it not simply "loop" around the Moon, but enter the orbit around the Earth's natural satellite. Soyuz/Fregat combination could be launched by an upgraded version of the Soyuz rocket. Copyright © 2007 Anatoly Zak
View of the open avionics container on the Fregat upper stage. Click to enlarge Copyright © 2001 Anatoly Zak |
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