R-56 test model - R-56 dynamic test model Credit: © Mark Wade. 12,695 bytes. 119 x 477 pixels.

One design approach considered for Yangel's R-56 superbooster of the 1960's was a polyblock design limited to rail transport restrictions (4 x 3.8 m diameter stages clustered together). Although a dynamic test model was built and tested at Tsniimash, Yangel finally reached the conclusion that a monoblock design was clearly superior to polyblock versions. Further work on the polyblock design was abandoned. Tsniimash exhibits in its small museum the 1:10 structural simulation model of the 3.8 m diameter polyblock design.

Payload: 35,000 kg. to a: 16,000 km ICBM trajectory. Liftoff Thrust: 1,687,500 kgf. Total Mass: 1,165,500 kg. Core Diameter: 7.6 m. Total Length: 51.5 m.

• Stage Number: 1. 4 x R-56 Polyblock Stage A Gross Mass: 222,000 kg. Empty Mass: 18,000 kg. Thrust (vac): 450,000 kgf. Isp: 320 sec. Burn time: 142 sec. Isp(sl): 300 sec. Diameter: 4.0 m. Span: 4.0 m. Length: 24.0 m. Propellants: Nitric acid/Kerosene No Engines: 1. R-56 Blok A

• Stage Number: 2. 4 x R-56 Polyblock Stage B Gross Mass: 55,500 kg. Empty Mass: 5,000 kg. Thrust (vac): 80,000 kgf. Isp: 330 sec. Burn time: 205 sec. Diameter: 4.0 m. Span: 4.0 m. Length: 10.0 m. Propellants: Nitric acid/Kerosene No Engines: 1. R-56 Blok B

• Stage Number: 3. 1 x R-56 Polyblock Stage B Gross Mass: 55,500 kg. Empty Mass: 5,000 kg. Thrust (vac): 80,000 kgf. Isp: 330 sec. Burn time: 205 sec. Diameter: 4.0 m. Span: 4.0 m. Length: 10.0 m. Propellants: Nitric acid/Kerosene No Engines: 1. R-56 Blok B

• 193 - Placard, TsNIIMASH Museum, .
• 417 - Konyukhov, S N, and Andreyev, L V, 49th International Astronautical Congress, "Big space unknown projects of M K Yangel", Sept 28 - Oct 2, 1998, Melbourne, Australia.
• 430 - Konyukhov, S N, 1999 IAF Congress, Amsterdam, "R-56 Heavy-Lift Booster", Paper IAA-99-IAA.2.3.02.

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R-56 test model - R-56 dynamic test model C Credit: © Mark Wade. 76,160 bytes. 401 x 576 pixels.

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R-56 - detail view - R-56 - detail view of interstage of test model of monster rocket Credit: © Mark Wade. 19,814 bytes. 198 x 431 pixels.

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R-56 test model - R-56 dynamic test model Credit: © Mark Wade. 32,660 bytes. 158 x 578 pixels.

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R-56, R-26, 63S1 - From left to right, dynamic test models of: R-56 monster launch vehicle; R-26 ICBM; Kosmos 63S1 launch vehicle Credit: © Mark Wade. 35,088 bytes. 261 x 436 pixels.

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