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Tsyklon-4
Function	Carrier rocket
Manufacturer	Yuzhnoye (design); Yuzhmash (manufacturing); Khartron (control system);
Country of origin	Ukraine
Size
Height	39.95 m (131.1 ft)
Diameter	3.0 m (9.8 ft)
Mass	198,250 kg (437,070 lb)
Stages	3
Capacity
Payload to {{{to}}}
Associated rockets
Family	R-36 / Tsyklon
Comparable	Zenit
Launch history
Status	Cancelled
Launch sites	Alcântara ACS Pad
First stage – 11K69
Powered by	1 × RD-261 + RD-855 Vernier engine
Maximum thrust	2,970 kN (303 tf)
Specific impulse	300.4 s (2.946 km/s)
Burn time	119 seconds
Propellant	N2O4 / UDMH
Second stage – 11S692
Powered by	1 × RD-262 + RD-856 Vernier engine
Maximum thrust	995 kN (101.5 tf)
Specific impulse	314 s (3.08 km/s)
Burn time	162 seconds
Propellant	N2O4 / UDMH
Third stage
Powered by	1 × RD-861K
Maximum thrust	76 kN (7.8 tf)
Specific impulse	325 s (3.19 km/s)
Burn time	450 seconds
Propellant	N2O4 / UDMH
	[edit on Wikidata]

The Tsyklon-4, also known as Tsiklon-4 and Cyclone-4, was a Ukrainian carrier rocket which was being developed for commercial satellite launches. Derived from the Tsyklon-3, it had a new third stage, a larger payload fairing, and a modernised flight control system compared to its predecessor.^[1] The control system had been developed by JSC Khartron.^[2]^[3]

Specifications

Tsyklon-4 was a three-stage-to-orbit expendable launch system, built on the successful Tsyklon-3 rocket and using improved versions of that rocket's first two stages. The new features were mostly in the newly developed third stage:

The third stage has three times the propellant capacity of Tsyklon-3
The new rocket engine RD-861K with multiple ignition capability (3 to 5 times)
A modern western-like control system capable of precise orbit injections
A new fairing derived from Ariane 4 is under development. It has a diameter of 4 metres (13 ft), with controlled temperature and cleanness conditions inside

Tsyklon-4 would have improved the fuelling system, allowing safe capture of toxic vapours from the vehicle's hypergolic propellant system.

The launch system would have been able to deliver up to 5,250 kg (11,570 lb) to a 185 km (115 mi) orbit, 4,900 kg (10,800 lb) to a 400 km (250 mi) orbit, or 500 kg (1,100 lb) to a geosynchronous orbit.^[4]

Development history

Development began in 2002, with the maiden flight aimed for 2006. Following a series of production delays, this launch date slipped, and was estimated to occur some time after 2015.

Tsyklon-4 had been planned to launch from a proposed launch pad at the Alcântara Launch Center in Brazil, which would have given the rocket access to all orbital regimes. However, Brazil backed out of the partnership with Ukraine in 2015, citing concerns over the project budget, the ongoing financial situation in both countries, and the future of the commercial launch market.^[5] Yuzhnoye began developing a two-stage derivative of Tsyklon-4, the Cyclone-4M, for Maritime Launch Services, a Canadian launch service provider. The new rocket was originally scheduled to be in service by 2020,^[6]^[7] though this date has been repeatedly pushed due to construction delays at the Canso launch site. Construction is currently estimated to be complete by 2024 or 2025.^[8] According to a 2021 press release, the first flight of Cyclone-4M was planned to take place at Canso in 2023; however, it failed to eventuate.^[9]

References

^ "Cyclone-4 Launch Vehicle". NPO InterCoS.
^ "Control systems for intercontinental ballistic missiles and launch vehicles". Archived from the original on 2010-02-05. Retrieved 2010-06-14.
^ Krivonosov, Khartron: Computers for rocket guidance systems
^ "Tsiklon-4". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on August 22, 2016. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
^ de Selding, Peter B. (16 April 2015). "Brazil Pulling Out of Ukrainian Cyclone-4 Launcher Project". Space News. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
^ Ruskin, Brett; Williams, Cassie (14 March 2017). "T-minus 1 year until rocket launch site construction starts in Nova Scotia". CBC News. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
^ Boucher, Marc (14 March 2017). "Exclusive: Maritime Launch Services Selects Nova Scotia Site for Spaceport Over 13 Other Locations". SpaceQ. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
^ Golubeva, Alena (9 April 2021). "Максим Дегтярев: "Спрос на выведение грузов на орбиту будет расти"" [Maxim Degtyarev: "The demand for placing cargo into orbit will grow"]. GMK Center (in Russian). Retrieved 11 May 2021. Компания получила разрешение, оформляет документы на получение земельного участка и уже в текущем году рассчитывает начать строительные работы. Сколько времени уйдет на строительство космодрома? – Три-четыре года. [The company has received permission, and is preparing documents for obtaining a land plot and expects to start construction work this year. How long will it take to build the cosmodrome? – Three or four years.]
^ Willick, Frances (12 May 2021). "Canso spaceport secures $10.5M, aims for first launch next year". CBC News. Retrieved 14 May 2021.