The RD-58 (manufacturer designation 11D58) is a rocket engine, developed in the 1960s by OKB-1, now RKK Energia. The project was managed by Mikhail Melnikov, and it was based on the previous S1.5400 which was the first staged combustion engine in the world.[1] The engine was initially created to power the Block D stage of the Soviet Union's abortive N1 rocket.[5] Derivatives of this stage are now used as upper stages on some Proton and Zenit rockets.[6] An alternative version of the RD-58 chamber, featuring a shorter nozzle, was used as the N1's roll-control engine.
The Buran spacecraft used two of an evolution of the RD-58M, called 17D12, as its main orbital correction engines. Instead of RG-1, it burned Syntin, and could be ignited 15 times.[11][12] It is assumed that it was the base for the RD-58S, which had practically the same specifications and powered the Blok DM-2M.[13] But the manufacturer states that the engine is compatible with both propellants.[1]
The current version of the engine is the RD-58M (manufacturer designation 11D58M), which has slightly reduced thrust, but increased isp. An even newer version is under development and is known as the RD-58MF (manufacturer designation 11D58MF). It will reduce thrust to 49.03 kilonewtons (11,020 lbf) to keep the same length but increase expansion ratio to 500:1. This will enable it to gain 20s of isp (to an expected 372s). It will eventually fly on the Blok DM-03.[14] This new version of the engine will be built in the Krasnoyarsk Machine-Building Plant.[15][16] During a November 2014 interview, Vladimir Kolmykov, the Deputy General Director of the Chemical Division of Krasnoyarsk Machine-Building Plant, stated that the production of Block-DM was suspended during that year, but work on the stage and development of the RD-58MF will resume during 2015.[17]
Versions
This engine has had many versions through the years:
RD-58MF (GRAU Index 11D58MF): Reduced thrust and increased specific impulse version expected to fly on the Proton and ZenitBlok DM-03. Will probably also use a carbon-carbon nozzle extension.[20]
RD-58S (GRAU Index 11D58S): Version designed to use Syntin synthetic propellant rather than RG-1. Used on the Blok DM-2M. Probably developed based on the 17D12.[13][21][22]
RD-58Z (GRAU Index 11D58Z): Version adapted to the Zenit Blok DM-SL.[9][23]
^ ab"DESCRIPTION OF ZENIT-2SLB, ZENIT-3SLB, ZENIT-3SLBF INTEGRATED LAUNCH VEHICLES". Land Launch User's Guide (Revision B)(PDF). Space International Services. 2014-10-01. p. 29. Archived from the original(PDF) on 2016-06-25. Retrieved 2015-06-03.
^Kiselev, Anatoli I.; Medvedev, Alexander A.; Menshikov, Valery A. (2012). "Section 2.2.2 Carrier rocket booster units". Astronautics: Summary and Prospects. Springer Science & Business Media. pp. 304–305. ISBN978-3709106488.