The propulsion system will use zero-emission fuel and have a thrust vectoring system designed to change the flight path

Photo: United Engine Corporation

United Engine Corporation included in Rostec State Corporation is working on the development of a new engine, the NK-3, with 4.5 tons of thrust for small-lift launch vehicles. The propulsion system will use zero-emission fuel and have a thrust vectoring system designed to change the flight path. 

UEC-Kuznetsov’s NK-3 is intended for the first and second stages of the Voronezh ultra-light launch vehicle. The first stage involves 12 engines, the second stage uses one engine. 

To speed up the work process, it is planned to make complex housing components via additive techniques. This will facilitate production of parts and assemblies with various configurations within a short time to facilitate testing and choosing the best version. Moreover, such approach will help speed up the preproduction efforts. 

For engine testing, it is planned make the most of UEC-Kuznetsov’s existing production facilities, which ensure the full production cycle. 

Ultra-light launch vehicles are designed to put commercial satellites into Earth orbit, the launch vehicle payload will be 250 kg. This will enable relatively small satellites to be carried to the intended orbit. 

Full-cycle manufacturing of the RD-107А/RD-108А rocket engines for Soyuz type rockets is established at UEC-Kuznetsov. Many years of development and production of liquid-fuel rocket engines and gas turbine power plants allow the company to reduce the cost of new products to the greatest extent.