New reference information on the UR700

Quick introduction. I have recently been working on Chelomei’s UR-700, his Universal Rocket System, based on a design unit that eventually became the Proton. It was intended to replace the N-1 as the vehicle to take the Soviet Union to the moon.

Thanks to a comment left on these forums, I was refered to a website which had photos of something I never knew was built – a large scale model of the UR700, for vibration testing! It was made at 1/10th scale.

Before we get started, here’s a render I did, which shows you the overall configuration. I think this will help you understand the layout.

The rubber hoses were used to fill it with water, for when it was suspended, and given the vibration tests. It was also suggested that alcohol would be the correct liquid to use, instead of water.

The second tube from the left is block B, and labeled in red with the Russian letter B. Second stage.

This is described as a “tank farm”, showing the connections between the second and third stages. I’m particularly interested in the fan of rods, I have never seen such a structure on a rocket before.

I think the white assembly at the top of the next picture must be the mechanism to shake everything foor the test.

Translating from the original source, as best as I can:

In fact, the fuel tanks in the side components and the central units are the same. It is seen that the maximum filling level of the fuel of the first and second stages (100% T 100% and II T I) are flush.

Above the oxidizer and fuel tanks of the first stage oxidizer tanks are installed, (at the three side blocks), and the fuel, (also three blocks) used in the engines of the second stage. Thus, the rocket consists of identical rocket units, which are designed so that they are collected and tested, and can be transported by rail from the factory to the launch site.

At launch the first and second stage engines start siimultaneously start simultaneously. The oxidizer and fuel to the second stage engine begins to flow from the tanks, located on top of the side blocks.

This appears to be descibing the way the boosters on the side have more fuel, which is transferred into the central stage, so it is still fully fuelled when the side boosters are dropped, despite having been firing since launch.

Again, translating:

The side end units end with angled cones. On the right cone there’s a visible mark “maximum oxidant engine center blocks” (100% O n).  “n” might mean “intermediate”. Here, the difference is clearly visible in the structure of the upper cone lateral blocks. Thee cone, where the oxidizer tank located, has power (?)  near the upper edge area of the tank bottom.

On the cylindrical part of the block, which is in the center of the picture, you can see  the mark for the maximum level of fuel for the center block engines (100% T n).

I’m strugging to make any sense of this bit:

“Those. This tank has a cylindrical shape and a cone on them (as opposed to an adjacent block) is empty. “

But I note with great interest that only one of each cone pair has a seam halfway up! Is this relevant?

“The third stage of the rocket is a “stripped down” version of the first stage of the UR-500 rocket.” (Which became the Proton)

I am not clear on what became of this model, and I think the author also does not know. But there was apparently also a second model, and this one was intentionally destroyed.

The original source for this material is here:

http://frs-vetlana.livejournal.com/333518.html

And if you are interested in space history, it’s worth exploring that site fully!

Finally, here’s an exploded view of the parts, (my render), in case that helps you understand the layout better.

More pages from my blog on the UR 700:

Chelomei’s UR-700

UR-700 Launch version finished

Why did the Soviet manned Lunar program fail?