Strela (rocket)

Strela (Russian: Стрела, arrow) is a Russian orbital carrier rocket, derived from the Soviet/Russian UR-100NU missile. It conducted its maiden test launch on 5 December 2003, carried its first functional payload on 27 June 2013, and a second one on 19 December 2014.

Strela was originally planned to be launched from the Svobodny Cosmodrome, with test launches being conducted from existing UR-100 silos at the Baikonur Cosmodrome. Svobodny was closed in 2007, without seeing any Strela launches. It is unclear whether a Strela launch complex will be incorporated into the Vostochny Cosmodrome, which is being built on the site of Svobodny.[citation needed]

Strela differs from the Rockot, which is also derived from the UR-100, in that it has undergone fewer modifications, such as the absence of an additional Briz-KM upper stage, as used on the Rockot. However it is equipped with a repurposed APB as upper stage, which was originally a maneuvrable warhead "bus" from MIRV system of UR-100 missile. It is also launched from silos, whereas the Rockot is launched from flat pads.

Launch history

See also

• Comparison of orbital launchers families
• Comparison of orbital launch systems
• Dnepr rocket

• Isakowitz, Steven J.; Hopkins, Joseph P.; Hopkins, Joshua B. (2004). . (4th ed.). Reston, VA: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. pp. 469–479. ISBN 978-1-56347-591-7 – via the Internet Archive.