RD-0124

The basic version of the RD-0124 engine designed to replace RD-0110 is a four-chamber unit. The pivot chambers are used to provide launch vehicle control at the third stage leg of the flight. Staying within the same dimensions as they switched over to close-loop configuration with exhaust turbine gas afterburning in the main chambers and increased chamber pressure and nozzle area expansion ratios, engine designers from Voronezh succeeded in raising the specific impulse by as many as 33 units, which is equivalent to adding 950 kg to Soyuz’ payload capacity. The engine has been through a comprehensive cycle of test trials, and preparatory work is going on now to launch batch production at the Voronezh Mechanical Plant.