The RD-215 (Russian: Ракетный Двигатель-215, romanized:Raketnyy Dvigatel-215, lit.'Rocket Engine 215', GRAU index: 8D513) was a dual nozzle liquid-fuel rocket engine, burning a hypergolic mixture of unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (UDMH) fuel with AK-27 oxidizer (a mixture of 73% nitric acid and 27% dinitrogen tetroxide [N2O4] with iodine as a passivant). It was used in a module of two engines (four nozzles) known as the RD-216 (GRAU index: 8D514). The RD-215 was developed by OKB-456 for Yangel's Yuzhmash R-14 (8K65) ballistic missile. Its variations were also used on the Kosmos-1, Kosmos-3 and Kosmos-3M launch vehicles.

Versions

The family incorporate many versions:

  • RD-215 (GRAU index: 8D513): Original design for the R-14 (8K65). Used also on the Kosmos-1 and Kosmos-3
  • RD-215U (GRAU index: 8D513U): Improved engine for the R-14U (8K65U).
  • RD-215M (GRAU index: 8D513M): Improved version used on the Kosmos-3M.
  • RD-218 (GRAU index: 8D515): Modified design for the R-16 (8K64) first stage.
  • RD-219 (GRAU index: 8D713): Modified design for the R-16 (8K64) second stage.

Modules

These engines were bundled into modules of pairs of engines. The serial production modules were:

  • RD-216 (GRAU index: 8D514): Bundle of two RD-215, used on the R-14 (8K65), Kosmos-1 and Kosmos-3 first stage.
  • RD-216U (GRAU index: 8D514U): Bundle of two RD-215U, used on the R-14U (8K65U) first stage.
  • RD-216M (GRAU index: 8D514M): Bundle of two RD-215M, used on the Kosmos-3M first stage.
  • RD-218 (GRAU index: 8D712): Bundle of three RD-217, powers the R-16 (8K64) first stage.
RD-215 Family of Engines
EngineRD-215RD-215URD-215M
GRAU8D5148D514U8D514M
Development1958-19601960-19611966-1968
PropellantAK-27I (73% nitric acid, 27% N2O4, and iodine passivant) / UDMH
Combustion chamber pressure7.355 MPa (1,066.8 psi)
Thrust, vacuum887 kN (199,000 lbf)887 kN (199,000 lbf)890 kN (200,000 lbf)
Thrust, sea level740 kN (170,000 lbf)740 kN (170,000 lbf)742.8 kN (167,000 lbf)
Isp, vacuum289 s (2.83 km/s)289 s (2.83 km/s)291.3 s (2.857 km/s)
Isp, sea level246 s (2.41 km/s)246 s (2.41 km/s)248 s (2.43 km/s)
Burn time146sN/AN/A
Length2,205 mm (86.8 in)2,205 mm (86.8 in)2,205 mm (86.8 in)
Diameter2,260 mm (89 in)2,260 mm (89 in)2,260 mm (89 in)
Dry weight575 kg (1,268 lb)575 kg (1,268 lb)570 kg (1,260 lb)
UseR-14 (8K65), Kosmos-1 and Kosmos-3R-14U (8K65U)Kosmos-3M

See also

External links