Function Carrier rocket Country of origin Soviet Union (Ukraine) Diameter 3 m (9.8 ft) | Manufacturer Yuzhmash Height 39.7 m (130.2 ft) | |
Mass 182,000 kg (401,000 lb) | ||
The Tsyklon-2 (cyclone-2), also known as Tsiklon-2 and Tsyklon-M, GRAU index 11K69, is a Ukrainian, previously Soviet orbital carrier rocket. A derivative of the R-36 ICBM, and a member of the Tsyklon family, it made its maiden flight on 6 August 1969, and has made 106 flights, the most recent on 24 June 2006 being its penultimate launch. It is the most reliable active carrier rocket currently in use, having failed only once, and the second most reliable carrier rocket overall, behind the Atlas II. It is being retired in favour of future modern and all-Russian carrier rockets, such as the Angara.
Having not flown since 2006, it was believed to have been retired when it was reported that the Tsyklon family of rockets was out of service following the final Tsyklon-3 launch in 2009, however in 2012 it was reported that one more remained to be launched, which was expected to carry the last US-P satellite into orbit in mid-2012. As of August 2013 that launch has not taken place, and no longer appears on launch schedules, leaving the Tysklon-2's status unclear.