RD-215

The RD-215 (, GRAU index: 8D513) was a dual nozzle liquid-fuel rocket engine, burning a hypergolic mixture of unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (UDMH) fuel with AK-27 oxidizer (a mixture of 73% nitric acid and 27% dinitrogen tetroxide [] with iodine as a passivant). It was used in a module of two engines (four nozzles) known as the RD-216 (GRAU index: 8D514). The RD-215 was developed by OKB-456 for Yangel's Yuzhmash R-14 (8K65) ballistic missile. Its variations were also used on the Kosmos-1, Kosmos-3 and Kosmos-3M launch vehicles.

Versions

The family incorporate many versions:

• RD-215 (GRAU index: 8D513): Original design for the R-14 (8K65). Used also on the Kosmos-1 and Kosmos-3
• RD-215U (GRAU index: 8D513U): Improved engine for the R-14U (8K65U).
• RD-215M (GRAU index: 8D513M): Improved version used on the Kosmos-3M.
• RD-218 (GRAU index: 8D515): Modified design for the R-16 (8K64) first stage.
• RD-219 (GRAU index: 8D713): Modified design for the R-16 (8K64) second stage.

Modules

These engines were bundled into modules of pairs of engines. The serial production modules were:

• RD-216 (GRAU index: 8D514): Bundle of two RD-215, used on the R-14 (8K65), Kosmos-1 and Kosmos-3 first stage.
• RD-216U (GRAU index: 8D514U): Bundle of two RD-215U, used on the R-14U (8K65U) first stage.
• RD-216M (GRAU index: 8D514M): Bundle of two RD-215M, used on the Kosmos-3M first stage.
• RD-218 (GRAU index: 8D712): Bundle of three RD-217, powers the R-16 (8K64) first stage.

See also

• R-14 - Ballistic missile for which this engine was originally developed for.
• Kosmos-3 - launch vehicle that is uses an R-14 as first stage.
• Kosmos-3M - launch vehicle that is uses an R-14 as first stage.
• Rocket engine using liquid fuel

References

External links

• NPO Energomash official site.