Tsyklon-2


The Tsyklon-2, also known as Tsiklon-2 and Tsyklon-M, GRAU index 11K69, was a Ukrainian, previously Soviet orbital carrier rocket used from the 1960s to the late 2000s.

History

A derivative of the R-36 ICBM, and a member of the Tsyklon family, the Tsyklon-2 made its maiden flight on 6 August 1969, and conducted 106 flights, the last one occurring on 24 June 2006. It was the most reliable Soviet/Russian carrier rocket ever used, having failed only once, and the second most reliable carrier rocket overall, behind the Atlas II. Along with Tsyklon-3, the Tsyklon-2 was retired in favor of new-generation and all-Russian carrier rockets, such as the Angara and Soyuz-2.

Description

Like the Tsyklon-3, the Tsyklon-2 was derived from the R-36 Scarp ICBM. However, it was slightly shorter and had a lower weight mass when fueled.