Function Carrier rocket Country of origin Ukraine | Manufacturer Yuzhnoye Diameter 3.9 metres (13 ft) | |
Height 57.35 metres (188.2 ft) Mass 458,900 kilograms (1,011,700 lb) | ||
The Zenit-2M, Zenit-2SB, Zenit-2SLB or Zenit-2FG is an Ukrainian expendable carrier rocket derived from the Zenit-3SL. It is a member of the Zenit family of rockets, which were designed by the Yuzhnoye Design Bureau. It is a modernised version of the Zenit-2, incorporating modifications and upgrades made to the design for the Sea Launch programme.
Launches of Zenit-2M rockets are conducted from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 45/1. Commercial launches are conducted by Land Launch, and use the designation 2SLB, however as of 2011, no commercial launches have been ordered. Launches conducted by Roskosmos or the Russian Space Forces use the designation 2M. The designation 2SB can also be applied to the rocket when it is being used as part of a larger vehicle, such as the Zenit-3SLB.
The first launch of a Zenit-2M occurred on 29 June 2007, carrying the last Tselina-2 ELINT satellite for the Russian Space Forces, Tselina-2 satellites having been previously launched by older Zenit-2 rockets. The second launch, carrying the Fobos-Grunt and Yinghuo-1 spacecraft, was conducted on 8 November 2011, using a modified configuration designated the Zenit-2FG. This configuration incorporated the payload fairing used on the Zenit-3F rocket, and a special adaptor for the Fobos-Grunt spacecraft, which incorporated a Fregat-derived propulsion system.
Zenit-2 and Zenit-2M have been superseded by the Zenit-3SLB evolution flying since 2008. On 11 December 2015 the Zenit-3 was flown for probably the last time, with another Zenit-3 in storage with expired warranty, so it is unlikely that the older Zenit-2 and Zenit-2M versions will fly again.