LV Energia assembling
in the launch site assembly & test building.
Fly-by of the shell with stage I
and assembled rocket "package". |
LV Energia transportation
on a special transporter-erector |
In December 1982, in the assembly & test building, the
first "LV-test rocket package" was assembled and subjected
to dynamic tests and fit checks using the Ukrainian ground
support equipment.
In a period from March to October 1985, the core stage undergone
"cold" bench tests on the versatile complex "Stand-Start"
to verify the fueling technology including supercooled liquid
hydrogen fill in. Two firing tests of the core stage were
carried out thereupon.
During the first firing test (scheduled for 20 seconds),
2.58 seconds following the PU ignition, an "Automatic termination
of pre-launch processing" was commanded because of a slow
speedup of one pressurization pump. In parallel, a helium
pressure drop was recorded in several pneumatic lines. During
further examination of the rocket a destruction of one pneumatic
line (a tube of 20 mm dia) was revealed that required certain
measures to enhance reliability.
The first firing test scheduled for 390 seconds has been
accomplished without critical comments.
A large amount of ground experimental development of the
structure, functional testing of all its systems and equipment
was the key to success in designing LV Energia. Flight tests
only proved the design performance. In total, tests have
been carried out on 232 experimental setups and 30 strength
assemblies to verify LV Energia that corresponded to manufacturing
of four complete flight LV sets.
| |
LV Energia
on versatile complex
"Stand-Start"
(1986) |
Transportation of LV Energia
to versatile "Stand-Start" complex
(with a spacecraft attached
to the exterior) |
LV Energia on the versatile "Stand-Start" complex
for the first flight test processing |
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