UEC’s Engines were Used to Lift off a Launch Vehicle Carrying the Bion-M Satellite
The satellite is designed for space biology, physiology and biotechnology explorations
Photo: United Engine Corporation
The RD-107А/RD-108А rocket engines produced by the Samara-based facility of United Engine Corporation (included in Rostec State Corporation) ensured a successful launch of the Soyuz-2.1b launch vehicle from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The Bion-M biology exploration spacecraft was carried into orbit.
The Soyuz-2.1b with the Fregat booster and Bion- M No.2 space explorer was launched on 20 August at 20:13 Moscow time from launchpad No.31 of the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The RD-107А/108А engines installed on stages I and II of the launch vehicle worked properly.
The Bion-M is designed for space biology, physiology and biotechnology explorations.
Stages I and II of all launch vehicles in the Soyuz family are equipped with the RD-107А/108А engines made by UEC-Kuznetsov. Thrust near the ground of the RD-107А (Stage I) is 85.6 tf, vacuum specific impulse is 320.2 s. For the RD-108А (Stage II), they are 80.8 tf and 320.6 s, respectively.
Russian market share of UEC is higher than 80% in the rocket engine segment and 100% by Russian manned launches. Statistical reliability of the engines is 99.9%.