KVD-1

KVD-1 (12KRB)

Country of origin	USSR/Russia
First flight	2001-04-20, GSAT-1 Mission, GSLV debut flight
Last flight	2010-12-25, GSAT-5P launch, GSLV Mk I final flight
Designer	KB KhIMMASH
Application	Upper stage engine
Associated LV	GSLV Mk 1
Status	Retired
Liquid-fuel engine
Propellant	Liquid oxygen / liquid hydrogen
Mixture ratio	6
Cycle	Staged combustion
Configuration
Chamber	1 + 2 verniers
Performance
Thrust, vacuum	69.6 kN (15,600 lbf)
Chamber pressure	5.6 MPa (810 psi)
Specific impulse, vacuum	462 s
Burn time	800 s (600 s in a single burn)
Gimbal range	None; uses 2 vernier engines for attitude control
Dimensions
Length	2.14 m (7 ft 0 in)
Diameter	1.58 m (5 ft 2 in)
Dry mass	282 kg (622 lb)
References
References

KVD-1 was an upper stage LOX/LH₂ cryogenic engine developed by the Isayev Design Bureau (now KB KhIMMASH) of Russia in the early 1960s. It is a modified version of the RD-56, developed for a never-completed cryogenic upper stage of the N-1 super-heavy lift rocket, with the goal of enabling crewed lunar missions by the USSR. The KVD-1 produces a thrust of 7.5 tonnes.

Initial development

KVD-1 was originated from the RD-56 engine which were intended to be used for the Soviet crewed lunar programs. RD-56 (11D56) engines were developed for N1M rocket programme, the planned derivative of N1, but later they were abandoned due to four successive launch failures of N1. Later the design of the engine was sold to ISRO under the name "KVD-1" under a deal worth $120 million with the Soviet agency Glavkosmos which enabled ISRO to import 2 KVD-1 engines and an agreement for transfer of technology from Russia.

ISRO programme

The engines were proven to be inefficient because of their low thrust-to-weight ratio. Later the Russian space agency optimised the engine to launch payloads with a mass of 2.5 tonnes or less. The INSAT-4CR satellite with a mass of 2,140 kg was launched in 2007 but reached a lower than planned orbit due to the poor performance of the third stage's single KVD-1 engine. The satellite subsequently used its own propulsion to get to the planned orbit. Because of this the useful life of the satellite was shortened.

Sanctions imposed by United States

In 1991, an agreement was signed between India and Russia for technology transfer to India so that KVD-1 engines can be built indigenously in India. But later in July 1993, US imposed sanctions on ISRO and Glavkosmos saying it voids the Missile Technology Control Regime. After suffering setback in this case ISRO was forced to develop its own cryogenic programme.

Features

The engine was single chamber fueled rocket which could be used as cryogenic engines for launching of spacecraft that could be put in elliptical and geostationary orbits.

• Unfueled mass: 282 kg (621 lb)
• Height: 2.14 m
• Diameter: 1.56 m
• Specific impulse: 462 seconds
• Thrust: 69.60 kN (15,647 lbf)
• Burn time: 800 seconds
• Nozzle ratio：200

Use

KVD-1 was used in following launch vehicles

• GSLV Mk I

External links

• astronautix.com