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 A cycle of tests of several models of winged reusable rocket stages was completed in April 2013 with the use of TsAGI's UT-1M and T-117 wind tunnels. These winged stages are to become the reusable first stage of the MRKS-1 reusable space rocket system being developed in Russia under the Federal Space Programme. The tests of the models were focused on assessing the impact of the thermal load on the winged reusable rocket stages. Experiments designed to gauge their flight performance at subsonic and supersonic speed are slated for June.
In accordance with the outcome of the competition for a preliminary design of the Phase I Reusable Space Rocket System for operations from the Vostochny space launch centre, the MRKS-1 is being developed by Khrunichev Space Center in close cooperation with other Russian aerospace heavyweights, e.g. NPO Molniya, TsAGI, etc. The competition was held by the Federal Space Agency on 16 December 2011.
According to Khrunichev's official website, the MRKS-1 is a partially reusable modular vertical launch vehicle based on a winged reusable first stage featuring aeroplane configuration and returning to the launch area for horizontal landing on a class 1 airfield. The MRKS-1 also includes disposable second stages and upper stages. The winged first stage is equipped with reusable liquid-propellant sustainers. According to TsAGI, the MRKS-1's reusable first stage will allow high reliability and safety and will make booster impact areas unneeded. This will increase the effectiveness of future commercial operations. Under the Federal Space Agency requirements specification, the MRKS-1 is to loft a wide range of payloads into outer space, with their weight up to 35 t and more.
Photo: A model of the reusable winged rocket stage of the in-development MRKS-1 system in the UT-1M wind tunnel of the TsAGI Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute.
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