Strela (rocket)

Strela
The Strela carrier rocket
FunctionOrbital carrier rocket
ManufacturerNPO Mashinostroyeniya, JSC "Khartron", Ukraine (control system)
Country of originRussia
Size
Height28.3 metres (93 ft)
Diameter2.5 metres (8.2 ft)
Mass105,000 kilograms (231,000 lb)
Stages3
Capacity
Payload to LEO
Mass1,400 kilograms (3,100 lb)
Associated rockets
FamilyUniversal Rocket
Launch history
StatusInactive
Launch sitesBaikonur Cosmodrome
Total launches3
Success(es)3
First flight5 December 2003
First stage
Diameter2.5 m (8.2 ft)
Powered by3 RD-0233 (15D95)
1 RD-0234 (15D96)
Maximum thrust2,080 kN (470,000 lbf)
Specific impulse310 s
Burn time120 seconds
PropellantN2O4 / UDMH
Second stage
Diameter2.5 m (8.2 ft)
Powered by1 RD-0235 (15D113)
1 RD-0236 (15D114)
Maximum thrust255.76 kN (57,500 lbf)
Specific impulse310 s
Burn time180 seconds
PropellantN2O4 / UDMH
Third stage – APB (Agregatno-Priborny Otsek)
Powered by1 RD-0237 (15D114)
Maximum thrust4.90 kilonewtons (1,100 lbf)
Specific impulse200 s
PropellantN2O4 / UDMH
External images
Strela launch vehicle launch 19.12.2014
Strela launch vehicle launch 19.12.2014
Strela launch vehicle launch 19.12.2014

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.

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.