R-56 test model Credit - © Mark Wade Media Gallery

One design approach considered for Yangel's R-56 superbooster of the 1960's was a polyblock design limited to rail transport restrictions (4 x 3.8 m diameter stages clustered together). Although a dynamic test model was built and tested at Tsniimash, Yangel finally reached the conclusion that a monoblock design was clearly superior to polyblock versions. Further work on the polyblock design was abandoned. Tsniimash exhibits in its small museum the 1:10 structural simulation model of the 3.8 m diameter polyblock design.

Manufacturer: Yuzhnoye. Payload: 35,000 kg (77,000 lb). to a: 16,000 km ICBM trajectory. Liftoff Thrust: 16,549.000 kN (3,720,363 lbf). Total Mass: 1,165,500 kg (2,569,400 lb). Core Diameter: 7.60 m (24.90 ft). Total Length: 51.50 m (168.90 ft).

Tsniimash has 1:10 structural simulation model. Three stage carrier rocket with consecutive first and parallel second stages. Range indicated on placard; possibly considered as monster ICBM in competition with UR-500. Work began in 1961.

Manufacturer: Yangel. Total Mass: 1,197,000 kg (2,638,000 lb). Standard warhead mass: 35,000 kg (77,000 lb). Maximum range: 16,000 km (9,000 mi).

• Stage Number: 1. 4 x Stage: R-56 Polyblock Stage A. Gross Mass: 222,000 kg (489,000 lb). Empty Mass: 18,000 kg (39,000 lb). Thrust (vac): 4,410.000 kN (991,400 lbf). Isp: 320 sec. Burn time: 142 sec. Isp(sl): 300 sec. Diameter: 4.00 m (13.10 ft). Span: 4.00 m (13.10 ft). Length: 24.00 m (78.00 ft). Propellants: Nitric acid/Kerosene. No Engines: 1. Engine: R-56 Blok A. Range 16,000 km. Payload 35,000 kg. Tsniimash has 1:10 structural simulation model. Three stage carrier rocket with consecutiveively divided first and paraell divided second stages. Work began in 1961. Chief designer Yangel. Source: Placard, TsNIIMASH.

• Stage Number: 2. 4 x Stage: R-56 Polyblock Stage B. Gross Mass: 55,500 kg (122,300 lb). Empty Mass: 5,000 kg (11,000 lb). Thrust (vac): 784.000 kN (176,250 lbf). Isp: 330 sec. Burn time: 205 sec. Diameter: 4.00 m (13.10 ft). Span: 4.00 m (13.10 ft). Length: 10.00 m (32.00 ft). Propellants: Nitric acid/Kerosene. No Engines: 1. Engine: R-56 Blok B.

• Stage Number: 3. 1 x Stage: R-56 Polyblock Stage B. Gross Mass: 55,500 kg (122,300 lb). Empty Mass: 5,000 kg (11,000 lb). Thrust (vac): 784.000 kN (176,250 lbf). Isp: 330 sec. Burn time: 205 sec. Diameter: 4.00 m (13.10 ft). Span: 4.00 m (13.10 ft). Length: 10.00 m (32.00 ft). Propellants: Nitric acid/Kerosene. No Engines: 1. Engine: R-56 Blok B.

• Placard, TsNIIMASH Museum, .

• Konyukhov, S N, and Andreyev, L V, 49th International Astronautical Congress, "Big space unknown projects of M K Yangel", Sept 28 - Oct 2, 1998, Melbourne, Australia.

• Konyukhov, S N, 1999 IAF Congress, Amsterdam, "R-56 Heavy-Lift Booster", Paper IAA-99-IAA.2.3.02. As summarized by Marcus Lindroos