Launches of carrier rockets “proton-M”, scheduled for 2017 year, has been postponed indefinitely. The reason — total quality assurance at the enterprises of Roskosmos. On Wednesday, January 25, informed the Agency “Interfax” the press service of the Corporation.
“Are additional tests. This explains the possible delay in the launches of “proton” LV. The main thing is not to hurry and make sure once again complete reliability of equipment and compliance with the regulations of the materials from which it is produced,” — said the press service.
Recall: previously, the newspaper “Kommersant” reported that Roskosmos made a decision to withdraw at the Voronezh mechanical plant (VMZ) rocket engines RD-0210/0211 and RD-0213/0214, which are installed on the second and third stage of “Proton-M”.
the Problem with liquid-RD came to light during a fire test of one of the engines of the second stage. The results of the investigation revealed: when building instead of materials containing precious metals were used less heat-resistant, other types of engines produced at VMZ. Why the substitution of materials went unnoticed, now I understand the FSB, the Prosecutor’s office and the TFR.
In the end, at a meeting of the heads of Roskosmos, held in Voronezh on January 20, it was decided to withdraw to the manufacturer to check all engines “Proton”, released on VMZ over the past few years. Tens units, including those that have already been delivered to Baikonur.
Recall: December 1, 2016 at fault VMZ — due to the destruction of the RD-0110 — accident of the carrier rocket “Soyuz-U”, and was lost cargo ship “Progress MC-04″. All third stage rockets family “Soyuz” with the engine led to the accident, was withdrawn on VSW for checks. the General Director of the plant Ivan Koptev filed a resignation at own will in connection with “unsatisfactory performance and quality of products.”
Now to correct the situation at VMZ requested another engine company — NPO “Energomash”. He will conduct an audit and additional technical control of all engines already produced at VSW. Check affect the timing of launches of “Proton”.
in 2017, Roskosmos planned to spend 27 launches, of which at least eight were Protons. In the first quarter was scheduled for a commercial launch of the geostationary communications satellite Echostar 21, the second commercial launches of telecommunications satellites Hispasat 30W-6 (1F) and Asiasat 9. Now, “Roscosmos”, apparently, will have to pay substantial fines for postponement. Move and the triggers in the interests of the state — military communications satellite “Blagovest”, three satellites “GLONASS-M”, the meteorological apparatus “Electro-L”, the two satellites of the Space forces of the Russian Federation. Moreover, according to expert estimates, the timing of launches of “Proton” “went” significantly — since February, they are deferred at least until the summer.
What’s going on in the space industry, than Russia will pay for the mistakes of propulsion engineering?
— If you really decided to withdraw the VSW exception all the engines for “Proton”, “Roscosmos” will suffer serious costs, says the CEO of the company “Cosmocats”, one of the developers of the rocket “Angara” FSUE Khrunichev Khrunichev Pavel Pushkin. — From a financial point of view, speech can go about several hundred million dollars. But the main loss will be the image. In 2016 we lost the lead in launching a series of accidents of rockets “the proton” that happened 2-3 years ago — just enough time from contract to start-up. We can say we reaped the fruits of previous failures. Now, presumably, the confidence of foreign customers to Russian space technology will again be undermined, and the laurels of the main “space cabman” we will return soon.
“SP”: — Why does such a situation has arisen at VSW?
— In the space industry employs people from Russian society — not worse and not better. They often refer to his work rather carelessly. I with a similar attitude encountered in zero, in the period of their work in the Khrunichev centre. Employee logic is simple: a number of smart roommate works, so I could screw it up. As a result, the error is not noticed both.
This situation happened more than once, and it came to accidents. The classic example is the crash of the carrier rocket “proton-M” with companions “GLONASS” in July 2013. According to the investigators, the crash happened due to improper installation of angular velocity sensors. They turned 180 degrees, that is put upside down. This has distorted the operation of the control system of the rocket, caused its downfall and destruction. The damage exceeded 5 billion rubles.
tellingly, none of this error was not noticed. In the end, to criminal liability attracted the electrician, the master and controller of the enterprise, plus the representative of the defense Ministry, which has not verified the accuracy of tagging.
it is possible, in the present case events have followed a similar pattern: someone smart materials was replaced by another look, the third is not checked, and the fourth said, “you did the right thing”. Of course, with this need to do something.
“SP”: — the “Proton-M” can be replaced by other boosters?
— While operational was not included “Angara”, “proton-M” is the only booster with a payload of 22 tons (at the conclusion of the load on the reference orbit). If we talk about commercial contracts, the customer can go to the boosters of the Falcon series of the American company SpaceX. But the main customer of our space industry — the defense Ministry is deprived of this possibility.
Military satellites, designed to “Proton”, too heavy, and cannot be delivered to the orbit “Unions”.
“SP”: — “Angara” better “Proton-M”?
— load and some characteristics better. Is a new product it should have higher reliability and quality. But the cost of “Angara”. The cost is high and it is because of “proton-M” — has long been a Mature product, which the factories used to work.
“SP” — “Roskosmos” instructed to rectify the situation in Voronezh NPO “Energomash”. Why him?
the Design Bureau Khimavtomatika (KBKH), which is the developer of engines for the second and third stages of the carrier rockets “proton”, is part of led “Energomash”. In addition, such a solution can be associated with the person General Director of “Energomash” Igor Arbuzov. He first headed the company “Perm motors” which produced engines for the first stage of “Proton”. In the space industry, considered that the work of the enterprise when Arbuzov was immaculate.
Perhaps the command Arbuzov, who worked with him in Perm, I want to connect to the audit of VSW. In addition, it is “Energomash” has been appointed head of enterprise industry engines and MVC, you might say, is on the way of entering in “Energomash”.
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