Yuzhnoye KB reported that the US-Ukrainian Antares program was awarded the prestigious The Laurels for Team Achievement award of the International Academy of Astronautics this year.
Thanks to the joint work of Ukrainian and American engineers, who united two different schools of rocketry, it was possible in a short time to create a reliable, efficient and affordable commercial launch vehicle "Antares" for payload delivery missions to the ISS within the framework of NASA COTS programs and CRS. This provided the international cosmonaut team with provisions and equipment necessary for the operation of the ISS and implementation of research programs at the station.
The main developer of the launch vehicle is the American corporation Northrop Grumman. The main structure of the first degree of the Antares launch vehicle was developed at the Yuzhnoye Design Bureau and manufactured at the YuMZ State Enterprise (Yuzhmash) in cooperation with the Ukrainian enterprises Khartron-ARKOS, Kievpribor, Khartron-YUKOM, CHEZARA, RAPID "and others.
A professional approach to the design of the launch vehicle and the ground segment allowed full use of the existing infrastructure of the NASA MARS cosmodrome with minimal changes, making the Antares launch vehicle currently the largest rocket launched from the MARS cosmodrome. p>
The robust design solutions and system architecture of the Antares launch vehicle ensured the adaptability of the rocket design for rapid modernization aimed at improving the rocket's energy potential in accordance with the growing demand for the payload delivered to the ISS.
An effective control system for the preparation and implementation of launches of the Antares LV at the cosmodrome, which includes the practice and experience of two different schools of rocketry, as well as the participation of both American and Ukrainian experts, ensures the flawless execution of missions on time and within in accordance with the necessary parameters to support intensive operation on the ISS.
The rocket is characterized by high reliability and environmental safety, which allows launching in the vicinity of a nature reserve and populated areas in full compliance with all safety requirements, excluding the impact on the environment of Wallops Island, Virginia, USA.
The first launch of the Antares LV took place on April 21, 2013. As of today, 12 successful launches have been completed, about 30 tons of payload have been delivered to the ISS.
The Antares program is a vivid example of successful and effective international cooperation that serves the global goals of the peaceful development of outer space and further scientific and technological progress of mankind.
Winners of the award from the Yuzhnoye Design Bureau: Konyukhov S.N., Degtyarev A.V., Davydenko S.A., Kondratyuk A.N., Degtyarev M.A., Shevtsov E.I., Kushnarev A.P., Pozdnyakov D.O., Agarkov A.V., Baranov E.Yu., Mashchenko A.N., Ventskovsky O.M.
