|
|
The Block-D was developed in the
early 1960s as an upper stage for both the manned L3 lunar mission on
the N1 rocket, as well as for the Proton-K. A modified military version
was developed for the ICBM GR-1. For the Shuttle Buran was built in the
1980s, a double version. Finally, from the year 1999, the Zenit rocket
got a special version, the block DM-SL (B) with a slightly lower thrust
of the engine RD-58M.
The block D has been modified many times since its first introduction
in 1967. This also applies to the RD-58 engine, which in its newest version
has a carbon composite nozzle (Block DM-SL (B)). The engine itself is
constructed as a closed GG cycle. The fuel used is the combination kerosene
(RG-1) / LOX. In the period 1982-1996 synthetic kerosene (Sintin) with
a higher efficiency (Isp) was also used. But the production of Sintin
was discontinued in 1995.
With the project "Dvina" it is to be achieved a further improvement of
the block-DM for Angara-5 etc. So far, however, only the phase I (11S861-03)
was realized, and used for three times on the Proton-KM. In Phase II,
a new RD-58MF engine will deliver a longer burn time with greatly reduced
thrust.
Until September 14, 2015, the block D was used a total of 321 times on
the proton or zenith, of which 66 times for commercial payloads.
----------------------------------------------------------------
In 2014, RKK Energia issued a technical project for
the 14S48 Persei (Perseus) and
14S49 upper stages, which incorporated most features proposed
for the
Phase II upgrade in the DM-03 Dvina project.
The 14S48 variant was equipped with an old 11D58M engine, while the 14S49
would sport the new-generation 11D58MF engine. Both variants will feature
new compact flight control system.
Both stages would also have a new removable adapter, which could serve
as an interface for the largest payload fairing available for the
Angara-5 rocket.
|
