# Briz-K

> Russian liquid-propellant orbit-insertion upper stage

**Wikidata**: [Q35468](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q35468)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/briz-k

## Summary
Briz-K is a Russian liquid-propellant orbit-insertion upper stage manufactured by the Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center. Classified as a rocket model and a subtype of space tug, it is designed to move payloads from a reference orbit to a target orbit or direct them toward an interplanetary trajectory.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Instance of a rocket model; subclass of space tug.
- **Function:** Russian liquid-propellant orbit-insertion upper stage.
- **Manufacturer:** Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center.
- **Country of Origin:** Russia.
- **Grau Index:** 14С12.
- **Propulsion System:** Powered by one S5.98M engine, four 11D458 engines, and twelve 17D58E engines.
- **Language Availability:** Documentation available in Galician (gl).

## FAQs
**What is the primary role of the Briz-K?**
The Briz-K functions as a space tug and upper stage, designed to transport payloads from a reference orbit to a specific target orbit or to set them on an interplanetary trajectory.

**Who manufactures the Briz-K?**
The Briz-K is produced by the Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center in Russia.

**What engines power the Briz-K?**
The stage is equipped with a propulsion suite consisting of one S5.98M engine, four 11D458 engines, and twelve 17D58E engines.

**How is the Briz-K classified in the aerospace industry?**
It is classified as a "rocket model" and is a specific implementation (subclass) of the broader "space tug" category of spacecraft.

## Why It Matters
Briz-K represents a critical component in modern spaceflight logistics, specifically within the Russian space program. As a space tug, it solves the problem of reaching specific orbits that launch vehicles cannot achieve efficiently on their own. By providing the necessary thrust for orbit insertion and complex maneuvers after the initial launch phase, Briz-K enables precise satellite deployment and extends mission capabilities. This technology reduces the need for larger, more expensive launch vehicles by optimizing the final leg of the journey, thereby facilitating access to geostationary orbits and interplanetary missions.

## Notable For
- Being a Russian-manufactured liquid-propellant orbit-insertion stage.
- Serving as a technical example of a "space tug," a class of vehicle that includes other notable stages like Centaur, Fregat, and Blok D.
- Featuring a complex propulsion arrangement including the S5.98M, 11D458, and 17D58E engines.
- Holding the Grau index designation 14С12.

## Body

### Definition and Classification
Briz-K is a Russian liquid-propellant orbit-insertion upper stage. In the taxonomy of spacecraft, it is defined as an instance of a "rocket model" and is a subclass of "space tug." As a space tug, its fundamental purpose is to act as a spacecraft vehicle that moves payloads from a reference orbit to a target orbit or directs them toward an interplanetary trajectory. It is synonymous with the concept of an "upper stage" or "Oberstufe," serving as the final propulsion element in a launch architecture.

### Technical Specifications
The Briz-K is identified by the Grau index **14С12**. Its propulsion architecture is composed of three distinct types of engines, indicating a capability for both primary thrust and precise attitude control:
*   **Main Engine:** 1 x S5.98M
*   **Secondary Thrusters:** 4 x 11D458
*   **Tertiary Thrusters:** 12 x 17D58E

### Manufacturing and Origin
The vehicle is a product of the **Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center**. Its country of origin is **Russia**. As a piece of Russian aerospace hardware, it contributes to the legacy of orbital transfer vehicles similar to the Fregat and Blok D families.

### Operational Context
As a space tug, Briz-K operates in conjunction with launch vehicles to extend mission capabilities. It functions by separating from the launch vehicle in a reference orbit and then using its own propulsion to perform orbital transfers. This capability is essential for deploying satellites into geostationary orbits or for providing the velocity changes (delta-v) required for interplanetary missions. By taking over the final insertion duties, it allows the primary launch vehicle to focus on the initial ascent, thereby optimizing the overall efficiency of the space launch system.