NPO Energomash, part of Roskosmos, has successfully fire tested the RD-171MV engine (Tsar Engine) for the Soyuz-5 launch vehicle, Roscosmos reported. It is noted that its thrust exceeds 800 tons – this is the most powerful engine in the world. The first launch of the Soyuz-5 rocket is scheduled for 2023.
“The finishing rocket engine has the final version of the design, tests confirm the compliance of the engine characteristics with the requirements of the technical specifications,” the message on the Roskomos website says. The corporation clarified that the engine worked for 1461 seconds in nine fire tests. It is noted that the tests were carried out regularly and the initially laid down characteristics were confirmed.
Igor Arbuzov, General Director of NPO Energomash, said that the engine runs on an environmentally friendly naphthyl-oxygen fuel pair. He also noted that now the next engine of this series is being assembled in the workshop.
The RD-171MV engine is an upgraded version of the RD-171M engines used for the Zenit launch vehicle. Until 2013, it was produced in Ukraine. In addition to the Soyuz-5, the RD-171MV will be used in the side blocks of the Yenisei super-heavy class rocket. Its first launch is scheduled for 2028.