Khrunichev State Space Research and Production Center

Proton-M Launch Vehicle

Courtesy of Khrunichev

Proton-M Launch Vehicle

Courtesy of Khrunichev

Kazsat under test in Khrunichev

Courtesy of Khrunichev

Breeze-M Upper Stage produced in Khrunichev

Courtesy of Khrunichev

RockotLaunch Vehicle

Courtesy of Khrunichev

Angala Rocket b integrated in Khrunichev

Courtesy of Khrunichev

The Khrunichev State Space Research and Production Center

is one of the world's largest aerospace companies.

Its history goes back to 1916, production of the first Russian car called Russo-Bait.

Starting in the mid-1920's, Khrunichev became one of the USSR's largest aircraft plants. Khrunichev produced bombers including Tupolev's ANT-4, ANT-6, TU-2, Petlyakov's PE-2, and Ilyushin's IL-4, as well as Myasishchev's M-4, 3M, M-50 strategic long-range bombers.

In the late 1959 the plant switched to rocketry. In the 1960-80s, Khrunichev developed and produced four generations of inter-continental ballistic missiles that became the backbone of the country's Strategic Missile Forces.

In 1962, Khrunichev embarked on the development of a powerful UR-500 launch vehicle, later known as Proton. Proton is the heavy-lift launcher for Russia's Federal Space Programs. It is also used for a commercial launch to geostationary orbits.

Proton M, a modernized version of the Proton, has been operated since 2001. It has enhanced guidance, navigation and control systems and better overall performance. Configured with Breeze M upper stage booster, another Khrunichev product, Proton M offers a better value to the international market of launch services. Proton M / Breeze M is the staple of Russia's space program for the first decade of the 21 st century. Over 40 commercial launches have been performed using Proton since 1996.

Contracted by India Space Research Organization, Khrunichev has designed and manufactured a fundamentally new LOX/Hydrogen upper stage booster called 12 KRB for India's GSLV - complete with requisite ground facilities at the Shar launch base in India. The cryogenic upper stage operates on environmentally-clean high-performance propellant. The stage has successfully flown on the GSLV three times.



Based on the converted SS-19 ICBM, the Rockot launch vehicle has been developed to provide government and commercial launches. Rockot is marketed by Eurockot, a Russian-German joint-venture company established by Khrunichev and Astrium.





Another promising area of Khrunichev's activities is the development of space systems based on small satellites for remote earth sensing. In 2005, Rockot launched Monitor E, the first in a constellation of remote sensing satellites.

According to an inter-governmental agreement between Russia and Kazakhstan, Khrunichev together with the Russian Space Communications Company developed a space communications system for Kazakhstan, known as Kazsat.

Today Khrunichev is working on a third Russian ISS module, the Multi-Purpose Laboratory Module (MLM). Based on FGB-2, a structural clone of the currently flying FGB-1, the MLM is scheduled for launch in 2007.



Khrunichev is developing a new family of launch vehicles called Angara that includes a complete range of boosters, from small-lift to heavy-lift. The Angara family will guarantee Russia's access to outer space from its own territory.

Khrunichev Space Center Main Entrance

(C) 2006-10 Seiji Yoshimoto

Khrunichev Space Center

(C) 2006-10 Seiji Yoshimoto

Proton Hotel

(C) 2006-10 Seiji Yoshimoto

Khrunichev Space Center

(C) 2006-10 Seiji Yoshimoto

Present Khrunichev's Major Development and Production Activities:

Heavy space modules and stations:

  • Zvezda Service Module for ISS

  • Zarya Functional Cargo Block for ISS

  • Functional Cargo Block II for ISS

  • Research Modules, etc.

Launch vehicles and upper stages:

  • Proton, Proton M, Rockot

  • Angara AS, Angara A3, Angara 1.2, Angara 1.1

  • Breeze KM, Breeze KS, Breeze M, KVRB

Small spacecraft:

  • Monitor series

  • Express MD series

  • Kazsat
This page is prepared by NPO InterCoS with special courtesy of Khrunichev Space Center and Federal Space Agency of Russia.
Other than noticed individually, NPO InterCoS has Copyright of this page.