The Kaliningrad OKB "Torch" clearly proves that rumors about the deplorable state of the Russian Space industry are greatly exaggerated. For more than a year, the rate of production of plasma engines SPD-50m for orbital devices is actively increasing there. What are the advantages of this engine and why is it albeit and in Russia and abroad?
OKB "TORK" - part of the structure of NGO Energomash, which is responsible in the state corporation Roscosmos for the development and construction of rocket engines. For 40 years already on the "Fare" serially produce engines of the SPD series, indispensable in orbital devices.
SPD is decrypted as a "stationary plasma engine". This is a very compact electrical package unit (SPD-50m in dimensions are not more than average audio colors, and weighs less than one and a half kg), capable of converting plasma gas and push it into space with a huge speed - about 30 km / s. For such an engine, the usual fuel does not need, a sufficient gas reserve is usually argon or xenon.
The only minus of SPD compared to chemical engines is a modest traction (16 MN), so they are not used for starting from the ground. But in weightlessness, they are ideal as maneuvery engines to correct the orbit and satellite orientation. Their main advantage is a large resource: over 3 thousand hours, or 11 with more than thousands of inclusions. Such a compact and durable engine frees the satellite space for additional equipment and allows them to work longer.
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Only last year "Torch" increased the production of SPD-50m one and a half times, releasing 215 engines against 111 in 2020. This is not the limit. Already today, the capacity of the design bureau allows you to collect at least one plasma unit per day. And by 2025, on the "Fare" plan to produce 60 engines every month. For this, the OKB is actively upgraded: go to CNC machines, increase the number of test stands and assembly sites, create new specialties and dial.
According to the general director of the Experimental Design Bureau, Gennady Abramenkov, such a rapid growth is associated with the increased influx of orders, not only from Russia, but also from abroad. For details, he, however, does not disclose. However, the demand of Russian engines of doubt does not cause, and that is why.
Since the beginning of the XXI century, domestic SPD began to buy all European manufacturers of commercial satellites. This allowed them to create a new generation of geostationary apparatuses, abandoning bulky chemical maneuver engines. Today, plasma engines are trying to produce abroad, but they are based on Russian developments.
At the same time, most European satellites are still equipped with SPD produced in Russia. For example, they are used in the Machines of the OneWeb - British competitor of Starlink Ilona Mask fighting for the satellite communications market and broadband Internet.
And with what do you think is related to the growth of the production of Russian plasma engines?
Is it really about increasing Western orders even in the current conditions? Or does Russia have their own plans for maneuver SPD for satellites?
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