Albatros 1 view Credit - © Mark Wade

Winged orbital launch vehicle. Family:

Unique Russian space shuttle design of 1974. Hydrofoil-launched, winged recoverable first and second stages. Hydrofoil would have been propelled to launch speed by the launch vehicles rocket engines, using a 200 tonne fuel store in the hydrofoil. Advantages: launch from the Caspian Sea into a variety of orbital inclinations, variations in launch track possible to meet range safety requirements. Proposal of Alexeyev/Sukhoi OKBs.

Manufacturer: Alekseyev, Sukhoi. LEO Payload: 30,000 kg (66,000 lb). to: 220 km Orbit. Associated Spacecraft: Albatros Raketoplan. Liftoff Thrust: 7,263.400 kN (1,632,877 lbf). Total Mass: 320,000 kg (700,000 lb). Core Diameter: 7.00 m (22.90 ft). Total Length: 109.00 m (357.00 ft).

• Stage0: 1 x Albatros Momentum Block. Gross Mass: 2,000,000 kg (4,400,000 lb). Empty Mass: 1,800,000 kg (3,900,000 lb). Motor: x None. Thrust (vac): 0 N ( lbf). Isp: 455 sec. Burn time: 110 sec. Length: 70.00 m (229.00 ft). Diameter: 10.00 m (32.00 ft). Propellants: Lox/LH2.

• Stage1: 1 x Albatros Carrier Aircraft. Gross Mass: 1,250,000 kg (2,750,000 lb). Empty Mass: 210,000 kg (460,000 lb). Motor: 4 x RD-0120. Thrust (vac): 7,840.000 kN (1,762,500 lbf). Isp: 455 sec. Burn time: 580 sec. Length: 91.00 m (298.00 ft). Diameter: 7.00 m (22.90 ft). Propellants: Lox/LH2.

• Stage2: 1 x Albatros Raketoplan. Gross Mass: 320,000 kg (700,000 lb). Empty Mass: 82,000 kg (180,000 lb). Thrust (vac): 1,960.000 kN (440,620 lbf). Isp: 455 sec. Burn time: 270 sec. Length: 49.00 m (160.00 ft). Diameter: 7.00 m (22.90 ft). Propellants: Lox/LH2.