# Soyuz

> Russian and Soviet rocket family

**Wikidata**: [Q1299641](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1299641)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soyuz_(rocket_family))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/soyuz-q1299641

## Summary
Soyuz is a Russian and Soviet rocket family, part of the R-7 family of expendable launch vehicles, first launched in 1966 and widely used for crewed spaceflight and satellite deployment. It remains a cornerstone of Russia's space program, known for reliability and cost-effectiveness.

## Key Facts
- **Country of Origin**: Soviet Union (now Russia).
- **First Launch**: November 28, 1966.
- **Manufacturer**: Progress State Research and Production Rocket Space Center.
- **Predecessor**: Vostok rocket family.
- **Successor**: Soyuz-2 series.
- **Key Variants**: Soyuz-U, Soyuz-FG, Soyuz-2.
- **Engines**: RD-107 (4 units), RD-108, and RD-0110.
- **GRAU Index**: 11A511.
- **Payload Capacity**: Up to 7,000 kg to low Earth orbit (varies by variant).

## FAQs
### Q: What is the Soyuz rocket used for?
A: The Soyuz rocket is primarily used for launching crewed spacecraft, satellites, and cargo to the International Space Station (ISS), serving as Russia's main orbital launch vehicle since the 1960s.

### Q: How does Soyuz compare to modern rockets like SpaceX's Falcon 9?
A: Unlike reusable rockets such as the Falcon 9, Soyuz is an expendable launch vehicle, meaning it is discarded after a single use. However, it is renowned for its reliability and lower operational costs.

### Q: Is Soyuz still in use today?
A: Yes, Soyuz rockets remain active, though newer variants like Soyuz-2 have largely replaced older models. They continue to launch crewed missions and satellites, including for international partners.

## Why It Matters
The Soyuz rocket family is pivotal in the history of space exploration, enabling consistent access to space for over five decades. Its reliability has made it the go-to vehicle for crewed missions, particularly after the retirement of the U.S. Space Shuttle. Soyuz has ensured uninterrupted human presence on the ISS, fostering international collaboration. Its cost-effectiveness and adaptability have allowed Russia to maintain a competitive edge in the launch services market, even amid advancements in reusable rocket technology. As of 2023, Soyuz rockets have conducted over 1,900 launches, cementing their status as one of the most successful rocket families in history.

## Notable For
- **Most Crewed Launches**: Responsible for the majority of crewed missions to the ISS since 2000.
- **Longest-Running Rocket Family**: In continuous service since 1966, with incremental upgrades.
- **Versatility**: Adapted for various payloads, from satellites to Progress cargo ships and Soyuz crew capsules.
- **International Cooperation**: Used by the European Space Agency (ESA) and other nations for launches from Baikonur Cosmodrome.
- **Backbone of Russian Space Program**: Critical for military, scientific, and commercial space operations.

## Body
### Development and Launch History
- **First Flight**: The original Soyuz rocket (11A511) debuted on November 28, 1966, though early variants experienced failures.
- **Key Upgrades**: 
  - **Soyuz-U** (1973): Introduced improved engines and became the most frequently launched variant.
  - **Soyuz-FG** (2001): Featured modernized systems for crewed missions.
  - **Soyuz-2** (2004): Digital control systems and increased payload capacity.

### Key Specifications
- **Stages**: Three-stage design derived from the R-7 Semyorka ICBM.
- **Propulsion**:
  - **First Stage**: Four RD-107 engines.
  - **Second Stage**: One RD-108 engine.
  - **Third Stage**: One RD-0110 engine.
- **Launch Sites**: Primarily Baikonur Cosmodrome (Kazakhstan) and Vostochny Cosmodrome (Russia).

### Variants and Upgrades
- **Soyuz-M/L**: Early variants for testing and satellite launches.
- **Soyuz-U2**: Used for Energia-Buran program and Mir space station.
- **Soyuz-2.1a/2.1b**: Current operational variants with digital avionics.

### Missions and Achievements
- **Crewed Missions**: Over 70 Soyuz spacecraft launches carrying cosmonauts and astronauts.
- **Notable Flights**: 
  - **Soyuz 1** (1967): First crewed mission, ending in tragedy.
  - **Soyuz 11** (1971): First space station docking, crew perished during reentry.
  - **ISS Resupply**: Over 80 cargo and crew missions to the ISS since 1998.

### Legacy and Retirement
- **Transition to Soyuz-2**: Older variants like Soyuz-FG were retired in 2019, with Soyuz-2 becoming the primary workhorse.
- **Continued Use**: Soyuz-2 remains operational, with planned use through the 2020s alongside new Russian rockets like Angara.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Rocket",
  "name": "Soyuz",
  "description": "Russian and Soviet rocket family, part of the R-7 family, used for crewed spaceflight and satellite launches since 1966.",
  "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soyuz_(rocket_family)",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q204255",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soyuz_(rocket_family)"
  ],
  "manufacturer": "Progress State Research and Production Rocket Space Center",
  "countryOfOrigin": "Soviet Union",
  "dateOfFirstLaunch": "1966-11-28",
  "rocketEngine": ["RD-107", "RD-108", "RD-0110"],
  "payloadCapacity": "7000 kg (LEO)"
}

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. [Source](http://danielmarin.naukas.com/2016/11/29/50-anos-del-primer-vuelo-de-una-soyuz/)
3. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_lau_det/soyuz.htm)