At the Technoprom-2026 forum in Novosibirsk, the United Engine Corporation (ODK) (part of Rostec) for the first time presented a full-size mock-up of the NK-3 engine for Voronezh ultralight space rockets. This is the first domestic liquid-propellant rocket engine of this class created in modern Russia.
The development by Samara's ODK-Kuznetsov enterprise has a thrust of 4.5 tons and runs on environmentally friendly fuel. The engine is designed for installation on the first and second stages of the launch vehicle. At the same time, some of the first-stage engines and the second-stage engine will be equipped with a thrust vector control system, allowing for flight trajectory correction.
A total of three modifications of the NK-3 are being created. The first stage of the Voronezh is planned to be equipped with 12 such engines, while the second stage will receive one NK-3 with a high-altitude nozzle and the possibility of a double launch.
Most of the engine components, including oxidizer and fuel pumps, turbine, and gas generator, are being designed from scratch. To accelerate production and reduce costs, complex parts are planned to be manufactured using 3D printing. Currently, the preliminary design has been completed, and the development of working design documentation is underway.
The project is being implemented by order of the private company "3D Research and Development" and will allow Russia to enter the segment of commercial ultralight launches for placing small satellites into orbit.