Cyclone-4M


The Cyclone-4M is a Ukrainian carrier rocket which is being developed for commercial satellite launches.

History

The Cyclone-4M is derived from the Tsyklon-4, which started its life as an all-hypergolic three-stage-to-orbit expendable launch vehicle planned for launch from a proposed site at the Alcântara Launch Center in Brazil. However, Brazil backed out of the partnership with Ukraine in 2015, citing concerns over the project budget, the ongoing financial situation in both countries, and the future of the commercial launch market. In March 2017, Canadian company Maritime Launch Services announced plans to begin launching a modified version, the Cyclone-4M, which features a Zenit-derived kerolox first stage in place of the originally planned R-36 ICBM-based first- and second-stage.

Design

This new first-stage design would use four kerolox engines derived from the RD-120 used on the second stage of the Zenit. The standard RD-120, however, while manufactured in Ukraine, uses a number of Russian-made components which would have to be replaced with Ukrainian-made equivalents. It is also planned to fit each of these engines with a gimballing mechanism for steering.
Cyclone-4M is planned for launch from a site in Canso, Nova Scotia, with construction beginning in 2018. The second stage completed qualification tests in October 2019. The rocket's maiden flight is planned for late 2021. It's planned to launch up to 8 rockets per year from 2022.