Soviet energy rocket

Introduction to the Energia Rocket

The Energia was a super heavy-lift launch vehicle developed by the Soviet Union in the 1970s-1980s, designed to support crewed space exploration and satellite launches.

As a pioneering rocket, it featured a modular design. The core stage was powered by four RD-0120 liquid oxygen/liquid hydrogen engines, and four strap-on boosters with RD-170 engines provided additional thrust, giving it a liftoff mass of about 2,400 metric tons and a low Earth orbit payload capacity of up to 100 metric tons.

Energia had two major missions. In 1987, it successfully launched the uncrewed Buran space shuttle, demonstrating its capability to carry large payloads. It was also planned for deep space missions like lunar and Mars exploration.

Though the Energia program was discontinued in the early 1990s due to political and economic changes, its advanced technologies and design concepts have had a lasting impact on subsequent launch vehicle development worldwide.