CIS START 1
1. IDENTIFICATION
1.1 Name
START 1
1.2 Classification
Ø Family : START Ø Category : SPACE LAUNCH VEHICLE
Ø Series : Ø Class : Small Launch Vehicle (SLV)
Ø Version : START 1 Ø Type : Expendable Launch Vehicle (ELV)
1.3 Manufacturer : Nll Teplotechnik
VOTKINSK - RUSSIA
1.4 Development manager : Scientific and Technological
Centre "Complex"
MOSCOW, RUSSIA
1.5 Vehicle operator : Scientific and Technological
Centre "Complex"
MOSCOW, RUSSIA
1.6 Launch service agency : Scientific and Technological
Centre "Complex"
MOSCOW, RUSSIA
1.7 Launch cost : 3.5 - 7 M$ (1994)
2. STATUS
2.1 Vehicle status : Operational
2.2 Development period : START 1 is a converted 3-stage solid propellant SS-25 Sickle
(RS-12M Topol) ICBM with an added solid stage 4
2.3 First launch : 25.03.93
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3. PAYLOAD CAPABILITY AND CONSTRAINTS
3.1 Payload capability
3.1.1 Low Earth Orbits
ORBIT TYPE PEO CIRCULAR
Altitude (km) 300 1 000
(Perigee/Apogee)
Inclination (°) 90
Site Pletsetsk
Payload mass (kg) 450 230
APOGEE PERIGEE ALTITUDE (km)
ALTITUDE
km 300 500 700 1 000
300 450 - - -
500 425 370 - -
700 405 350 320 -
1 000 385 320 280 230
1 500 340 280 200 110
FIGURE 1 - PAYLOAD (kg) INTO ELLIPTICAL POLAR ORBITS
For launches from the Plesetsk cosmodrome, the payload mass for 76° orbits increases by 30 kg as
compared with that presented.
In the absence of special requirements for the accuracy of orbital injection of satellites, the payload mass
increases by 70 kg as compared with the masses given herein above.
3.1.2 Geosynchronous and Interplanetary Orbits
ORBIT TYPE GTO INTERPLANETARY
Payload mass (kg) N/A N/A
3.2 Spacecraft orientation and separation
Ø Thermal control manœuvres :
Ø Nominal payload separation velocity :
Ø Rotation rate :
Ø Deployment mechanism type :
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3.3 Payload interfaces
3.3.1 Payload compartments and adaptors
FIGURE 2 - START 1 PAYLOAD FAIRINGS
3.4 Environments
3.4.1 Mechanical environment
Maximum accelerations acting on satellite during launch and in flight are as follows:
Ø along longitudinal axis - do not exceed 9 g,
Ø along transversal axis - do not exceed 2.5 g.
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3.4.2 Acoustic vibrations
The spectral density of vibrations at the places where the satellite is fixed to the platform corresponds to the
values given in the figure 3.
FIGURE 3 - THE SPECTRAL DENSITY OF VIBRATION AT THE PLACES
OF FIXING SATELLITE TO SPACE LAUNCHER
Ø Acoustic pressure
The maximum values of acoustic pressure at the places where the satellite is fixed to platform do not exceed
135 dB in frequency band of 50 ... 4 000 Hz.
3.4.3 Shock
During tests of satellite equipment, amplitudes of the shock spectrum are applied as stated in the figure. 4.
FIGURE 4 - THE AMPLITUDES OF SHOCK ACTION SPECTRUM
TO APPARATUS OF SATELLITE
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3.4.4 Thermal environment
Action levels stated below correspond to the base versions of the "Start-1" and "Start" Space-Launchers (SL)
and may be defined more exactly for the concrete type of satellite in accordance with its mass-geometrical,
design and scheme-ballistic features:
Ø Temperature Mode during Launch Preparation
During launch preparation of the SL, in the technological buildings and in the volume under the fairing the
temperature + 10.5 ... + 26°C under air humidity within Transport and Launching Canister (TLC) 25 ... 70% is
maintained.
Ø Temperature Mode under Firing during Space-Launcher Flight
Temperature of the inner surface fairing in flight does not exceed + 80°C (this may be defined more exactly
additionally).
Ø Heat Action after Fairing Drop
Fairing drop for the "Start-1" Space-Launcher is carried out when a velocity is not more than 3 470 m/sec at
the heights more than 79 km.
Fairing drop for the "Start" Space-Launcher is carried out when a velocity is not more than 3 534 m/sec at
the heights more than 87 km.
Ø Heat Action during Satellite Separation
During burning of the kick retro boost motor at the last stage of the SL at the moment of satellite separation,
2
the heat flow to side of the satellite, does not exceed 0.5 kcal/m .s for 0.3 s.
During burning of the post-boost stage motor of the SL at the moment of satellite separation, the heat flow to
2 2
side of the satellite is 0.1 kcal/m .s and to rear bottom of the satellite does not exceed 5.5 kcal/m .s for 9 s.
Ø Variation of static pressure under fairing
During Space-Launcher flight the volume under the fairing is not sealed and static pressure in this volume
approximately corresponds with the atmosphere pressure under the current value of flight height or slightly
exceeds it.
2
Under fairing drop, the jump of static pressure does not exceed 0.003 kg/cm .
3.5 Operation constraints
Ø Ground constraints ù Regulatory requirements may be sent to the Satellite Developer under
ú request or may be included by STC "Complex" in the satellite launch
Ø Flight constraints ú documentation by the Space-Launcher during its agreement with the
û Satellite Developer company.
Ø Launch rate capability
Launch preparation time from mating with the payload is given as just under 40 h.
Space Launch System provides up to three launches per year.
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4. LAUNCH INFORMATION
4.1 Launch site
Ø START 1 is launched from a platform.
It can be launched from various sites.
Ø START launches had been proposed from a launch base in SOUTH AFRICA.
Ø The first START 1 was launched from PLESETSK.
Ø The second START 1 was launched from SVOBODNY. The launch pad is a former strategic nuclear
missile base in the Amur Oblast region of far eastern RUSSIA less than 100 km from the border with
CHINA'S province of MANCHURIA. This START 1 is the first lift-off from RUSSIA'S new SVOBODNY
commercial-launch centre.
FIGURE 5 - LAUNCH PAD FOR START LAUNCH VEHICLE
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Ø Canada's Akjuit Aerospace
Aerospace has joined forces with RUSSIA'S Scientific and Technological Center to offer satellite
launches to low-polar Earth orbits by Russian Start launch vehicles from the Spaceport CANADA in
CHURCHILL, MANITOBA.
Spaceport CANADA is located at CHURCHILL Research Range on the store of Hudson Bay, the former
operational sounding rocket-launch centre, and will provide a "complete, turnkey service for non-military,
commercial space customers".
The START 1 and five-stage START will be launched from the launch vehicles privately operated centre
from 1998, the venture hopes.
Ø Space Launch System of the Start Family
The Space-Launchers of the family of multipurpose transportable Space Launch System "Start",
developed by the Scientific and Technological Center "Complex" are intented for rendering of services for
launch of small satellites into Low-Earth Orbits (LEO).
In addition to Space-Launchers, the "Start" Space Launch System also includes processing equipment for
transportation and final assembling of the Space-Launchers and complex units, as well as launching
equipment for final preparation and launch of the Space-Launchers (SL).
Final Space-Launcher assembling and satellite installation on the SL are carried out at the Technical Site
of the Launch Range.
Following integrated and electric checks of the SL, the Launch Stand and the special module with ground
equipment for preparation and launch are transported to the Launch Site.
The satellite may be transported to the Launch Site within the structure of the Space-Launcher and
separately in its own canister followed by installation on the SL and necessary checks at the Launch Site.
The Launch Stand, equipped with an apparatus module, permits mate-mounting and checkout work with
Space-Launcher, as well as lift of Space-Launcher to the vertical position and launch itself. The
thermostatic control system of the Launch Stand makes it possible to sustain the given temperature-
humidity mode in the interior of the Transport-and-Launching Canister (TLC) with the Space-Launcher.
4.2 Sequence of flight events
Start operations are initiated at the moment when the signal is generated from the Command Center.
The transport-and-Launching Canister (TLC) with the Space-Launcher (SL) is moved from the horizontal
position to the vertical one. Following this, practically at once, launch of SL is carried out by "cold" scheme:
by ejection of the Space-Launcher from the TLC through a special gas generator.
Following the withdrawal of the lower face of the SL at a height of a few meters above the front face of the
TLC, firing of the primary stage motor is carried out.
Each boost stage operates for approximately one minute until full propellant burnout. After that it separates
from the SL.
At the separation phase, prior to the firing of the last but one stage motor, the fairing separation is carried out
by the solid rocket motors installed on it.
On finishing the stating process, under which the worked off last but one stage motor is separated and is
twisted around the transversal axis by the retro boost motor, the Space-Launcher continues flight with
inoperative last stage motor during the "pause". In this case, stabilization and programmed orientation of its
angular position are carried out by Gas-Jet Orientation System.
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On finishing the "pause" the guidance and control system generates signal to the last boost stage motor
firing which at the given height provides the velocity corresponding required orbit.
Worked off last boost stage motor is separated by breaking explosive bolts and the retro boost motor firing,
then the post-boost stage motor, operating by a "pushing" scheme, is fired. After the completion of the
process of the moving apart from the last boost stage motor, the Space-Launcher, using the post-boost
stage motor, compensates deviations of the kinematic parameters caused by random factors during the last
boost stage burning.
After the post-boost stage motor changes to a "pulling" scheme (when the kinematic parameters
corresponding to the given orbit of the satellite are attained, the guidance and control system generates
signal to open explosive locks fixing the satellite).
During moving away to safe distance from the satellite, the post-boost stage is turned and is placed by its
motor into trajectory which prevents subsequent satellite collision.
4.3 Launch record data
NUMBER OF
LAUNCH DATE ORBIT RESULT REMARK
SATELLITES
25.03.93 1 LEO Success Pletsetsk
04.03.97 1 LEO Success Svobodny
24.12.97 1 LEO Success Svobodny
05.12.00 1 LEO Success Svobodny
20.02.01 1 LEO Success Svobodny
Ø Failures : none
Ø Previsional reliability : 97.5%
Ø Success ratio : 100%
4.4 Planned launches
Two further START 1 launches are foreseen in 2001 depending on launchers selection which has to be
finalized.
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5. DESCRIPTION
5.1 Launch vehicle
FIGURE 6 - START 1
5.2 Overall vehicle
Ø Overall length : 22.7 m
Ø Maximum diameter : 1.8 m
Ø Lift-off mass (approx.) : 47 t
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5.3 General characteristics of the stages
STAGE 1 2 3 4
Designation SS-25 STAGE 1 SS-25 STAGE 2 SS-25 STAGE 3 -
Manufacturer (1) NADIRADIZE NADIRADIZE NADIRADIZE
NADIRADIZE
Length (m) 9.2 - - -
Diameter (m) 1.8 - - -
Dry mass (t) - - - -
Propellant:
Ø Type Solid Solid Solid Solid
Ø Fuel - - - -
Ammoniome Ammoniome Ammoniome -
Ø Oxidizer
perchlorate perchlorate perchlorate
Propellant mass (t) 28 7.7 3.6 2
Ø Fuel - - - -
Ø Type - - - -
Ø Oxidizer - - - -
Tank pressure (bar) - - - -
Total lift-off mass (t) - - - -
(1) Now the MOSCOW Institute of Thermal Technology
Ø Upper part
VEHICLE
DESIGNATION EQUIPMENT FAIRING
BAY
Manufacturer - -
Mass (kg) - -
Ø Launch vehicle growth capability
A post-boost stage can be added if required. The post-boost stage motor compensates deviations of the
kinematic parameters caused by random factors during the fourth stage burning.
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5.4 Propulsion
STAGE 1 2 3 4
Designation SS-25 STAGE 1 SS-25 STAGE 2 SS-25 STAGE 3 -
Engine - - - -
Manufacturer - - - -
Number of engines - - - -
Engine mass (kg) - - - -
Feed syst. type - - - -
Mixture ratio - - - -
Chamber pressure - - - -
(bar)
Cooling - - - -
Specific impulse (s) - - - -
Ø Sea level - - - -
Ø Vacuum - - - -
Thrust (kN) - - - -
Ø Sea level - - - -
Ø Vacuum - - - -
Burning time (s) ~ 60 ~ 60 ~ 60 -
Nozzle expansion - - - -
ratio
Restart capability - - - -
5.5 Guidance and control
5.5.1 Guidance
Autonomous inertial guidance and control system.
5.5.2 Control
STAGE 1 2 3 4
Pitch, yaw
Gas dynamic
Roll (1) Gas dynamic control
rudders
Deflection
(1) On the primary stage motor of the SL, gas-dynamic rudders are installed which, in combination
with a gridwork of stabilizers and aerodynamic rudders that open in the process of the launch,
are used for flight control until separation primary stage.
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6. DATA SOURCE REFERENCES
1 - Russian Magazine of Science and Technology n° 1, Space missile complexes by
Alexander RYAZHSKIKH
2 - Via Satellite, RUSSIA: transforming missiles into launchers, p. 60 to 64
3 - Jane's Space Directory 1997-1998
4 - AIAA 93-2315 - Multipurpose transportable missile - Space complex "Start"
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