Samara University named after Korolev has joined the project to create the Voronezh super-light launch vehicle, designed to launch small spacecraft (SC) weighing up to 250 kg into near-Earth orbits. The development is being carried out by "3D Research and Development" with the support of the "Vсход" funds (Interros Group) and the Strategic Technology Fund NTI.
University specialists and students will be involved in designing the propulsion system for the second stage control system, as well as the pneumatic-hydraulic system of the first stage engine. These components are critical for accurately placing satellites into their designated orbits.
Currently, several projects for light and super-light class launch vehicles are being developed in our country. Such carriers are very necessary for our cosmonautics to reduce the cost of launching small spacecraft — satellites, nanosatellites. Currently, these devices are launched into space as a piggyback cargo on "large" launch vehicles, which is quite expensive. The Voronezh super-light two-stage carrier project is already being implemented, and it is currently in the preliminary design stage. Our scientists and students are participating in the preliminary design of the fuel system, the so-called pneumatic-hydraulic system of the main sustainer engine of the first stage of the carrier; the engine itself is being developed at UEC-Kuznetsov. Our university is also designing the propulsion system for the second stage rocket control system; this system will consist of three gas engines located along three different axes, and it will be responsible for changing the orientation of the rocket in space, that is, it will help to put satellites exactly into the specified orbit.
The rocket, up to 30 meters high, will be able to put cargo into orbits of 400–500 km, and a three-stage modification for higher orbits is being considered in the future. Launches are planned to be carried out from the Vostochny Cosmodrome, where a specialized launch complex will be created for Voronezh. Up to 20 launches are expected annually by 2030.
At a recent meeting with the participation of RSC Energia, TsNIIMash, and UEC, the design solutions of Samara engineers were approved. The work will last about a year, and the Feniks student design bureau is actively involved in the development.
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