Resolute refusal: why the Russia stops production of its most powerful rockets “proton”
The management of “Roscosmos” is going to shoot production smoothly running and powerful truck rocket “proton” for “hangars”. Is this wise decision and how will it affect the development of Soviet cosmonautics?
The head of “Roscosmos” Dmitry Rogozin told RIA Novosti that the decision to stop work on the project “proton” after the last boosters to existing contracts. More “Roscosmos” plans to use only “the Hangar”.
Who uses “proton”?
“Proton” was the main workhorse of commercial launches, “Roscosmos”, despite its relatively high accident rate. The main reason is price. In the 90s and 2000s the main competitors of the Russian missiles was an American Delta IV Heavy and Ariane 5 European. Neither for the price and close could not approach to the Russian “Proton”.
After the appearance of the Falcon 9 began pricing movements and the cost of launch of “Proton” fell as much as up to $65 million.
However, it is worth to mention that the Falcon 9 has never demonstrated the claimed capabilities for the output low reference orbit. If the possibility of “Proton” is already repeatedly tested, the maximum load of 22.8 tons American Falcon into orbit has never sent. However, it is not related to technical capabilities of the missiles, just rarely want to output a lot into reference near-earth orbit. Therefore, Protons are most often used for a conclusion of space vehicles in geostationary and other orbits, which require significant energy costs. For example, the proton into orbit of the red planet the spacecraft of the project “Eczemas-2020”.
The main customers of “Proton” — not foreign partners, and the Ministry of defense, runs military satellites, and FGUP “Space communication”, dealing with broadcasting in Russia. They require relatively few runs per year, but the military is certainly not going to give starts “abroad”. (In fairness, recall that the Pentagon, too, prefers Russian launch vehicles).
Cons Of “Proton”