ST. PETERSBURG, April 9 (Xinhua) -- Russia's United Engine Corporation (UEC), part of state-owned technology corporation Rostec, said Thursday it is developing a new engine called NK-3 for ultra-light space rockets.
According to the company, the NK-3 engine is designed to produce 4.5 tons of thrust and will use environmentally friendly fuel. It will also feature a thrust vector control system, allowing the rocket to change trajectory during flight and improve accuracy.
The engine is being developed for the ultra-light carrier rocket Voronezh. According to the plan, the rocket's first stage will use 12 NK-3 engines, while the second stage will use one.
Rostec said the project will help Russia begin operating ultra-light rockets and expand the market for launching small satellites. The company added that several versions of the engine are being developed, including models capable of adjusting thrust in multiple directions.
Mikhail Remizov, deputy general director of UEC, said the project is important because Russia currently does not have engines or rockets in this class. He noted that the new engine will support the growth of the country's space industry. ■
