Sea Launch User's Guide

2. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION
Overview
The Zenit-3SL is a liquid propellant launch vehicle (LV) system capable
of transporting a spacecraft to a variety of orbits. Figure 2-1 shows the
Zenit-3SL principal components:
• Zenit Stage 1.
• Zenit Stage 2.
• Block DM-SL upper stage.
• Payload unit.
11.39 m
(37.4 ft)
Payload
unit
4. 9 m
(16.3 ft)
10.4 m
(34 ft)
Block
DM-SL Stage 2
32.9 m
(108 ft)
Stage 1
4.15 m
(13.6 ft)
3.7 m
(12.1 ft)
3.9 m
(12.8 ft)
3.9 m
(12.8 ft)
265807J3-040R1
Figure 2-1. Zenit-3SL Launch Vehicle
Design
The original two-stage Zenit was designed by KB Yuzhnoye to reconstitute
former Soviet military satellite constellations quickly. The design
emphasizes robustness, ease of operation, and fast reaction times. The
result is a highly automated launch capability using a minimum complement
of launch personnel.
REV B D688-10009-1 2-1