The RD-263 (GRAU Index 15D117) is a liquidrocket engine, burning N2O4 and UDMH in the oxidizer rich staged combustion cycle.[2] Four RD-263 engines form a propulsion module RD-264 (GRAU Index 15D119).[5] For the R-36MKB Yuzhnoye only ordered the first stage propulsion to Energomash, instead of both stages, arguing that they were overworked with the RD-270 development. By April 1970 Yuzhnoye was getting the engine documentation. By the end of 1972 Energomash started to test fire the engines in its own test stand. And by September 1973 the engine was certified for flight.[1] While the engine is out of production, the ICBM as well as the Dnepr remain operational as of 2015.[3]
Versions
The basic engine has been used for the
RD-263 (GRAU Index: 15D117): Initial version used on the R-36M and R-36MUTTKh first stage (15А14 and 15A18).[2][4]
RD-273 (AKA RD-263F): Improved version based on the RD-263F upgrade project. Version used on the R-36M2 (15A18M) and (15A18M2) first stage.[7][9][10][11]
^ ab"RD-263F". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on May 31, 2002. Retrieved 2015-07-24.
^ ab"RD-273". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on May 6, 2002. Retrieved 2015-07-24.
^ abcLardier, Christian. "Liquid Propellant Engines in the Soviet Union". Thirty-third IAA History Simposia. 19. American Astronautical Society: 39–73.