# Volga > rocket upper stage designed in Russia **Wikidata**: [Q12090276](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12090276) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volga_(rocket_stage)) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/volga ## Summary Volga is a rocket upper stage designed in Russia, classified specifically as a space tug. Manufactured by the Progress State Research and Production Rocket Space Center, it is used to move payloads from a reference orbit to a target orbit or to direct them toward an interplanetary trajectory. It is utilized by the Soyuz-2.1a and Soyuz-2.1v launch vehicles. ## Key Facts - **Classification:** Volga is a rocket upper stage model and a subclass of "space tug," a vehicle designed to transfer payloads to specific orbits or interplanetary paths. - **Manufacturer:** The stage is produced by the Progress State Research and Production Rocket Space Center in Russia. - **Dimensions:** It has a diameter of 3.100 metres and a height of 1.028 metres. - **Mass:** The dry weight of the Volga upper stage is 840 kilograms. - **Operators:** It is deployed specifically with the Soyuz-2.1a and Soyuz-2.1v rocket variants. - **Identifiers:** The system is also known by the aliases 14S46 and 141KS, with the Grau index 14С46. - **Origin:** The country of origin is Russia. - **Function:** Its primary function is orbital transfer, moving payloads from a reference orbit to a target orbit or an interplanetary trajectory. ## FAQs ### Q: What is the primary function of the Volga upper stage? A: Volga functions as a space tug, designed to transport spacecraft payloads from an initial reference orbit to a precise target orbit or to set them on an interplanetary trajectory. ### Q: Which launch vehicles use the Volga upper stage? A: The Volga upper stage is used specifically with the Soyuz-2.1a and Soyuz-2.1v launch vehicles. ### Q: Who manufactures the Volga upper stage? A: It is manufactured by the Progress State Research and Production Rocket Space Center, a Russian entity. ### Q: What are the physical specifications of the Volga stage? A: The Volga stage has a dry mass of 840 kilograms, a diameter of 3.100 metres, and a height of 1.028 metres. ## Why It Matters The Volga upper stage plays a critical role in the modern Russian space program by enhancing the versatility of the Soyuz-2 launcher family. As a "space tug," it addresses the limitations of standard rocket stages by providing the capability to fine-tune orbital insertion. While a core launch vehicle might deliver a payload to a general reference orbit, the Volga stage takes over to execute the complex maneuvers required to place satellites into precise operational orbits or to give them the necessary velocity to escape Earth's orbit for interplanetary missions. This capability is essential for mission flexibility, allowing the Soyuz-2.1a and Soyuz-2.1v rockets to accommodate a wider range of payloads and mission profiles without requiring a complete redesign of the launch vehicle. Its development by the Progress State Research and Production Rocket Space Center ensures that Russia maintains a domestic capability for these specialized orbital transfer tasks. The relatively compact size of the stage—measuring just over a meter in height—allows it to fit efficiently within the payload fairing, maximizing the volume available for the satellite or cargo it is designed to propel. ## Notable For - **Space Tug Classification:** Unlike standard upper stages that may simply separate after burnout, Volga is explicitly classified as a "space tug," indicating a design focused on maneuvering payloads between orbits. - **Specific Compatibility:** It is distinctively tailored for compatibility with the Soyuz-2.1a and Soyuz-2.1v variants, serving as a specialized component for these specific launch systems. - **Compact Dimensions:** The stage is notable for its diameter being significantly larger than its height (3.1m diameter vs. 1.028m height), suggesting a disc-like or toroidal design structure optimized for specific aerodynamic or volumetric constraints. - **Interplanetary Capability:** The stage is designed not just for Earth orbit adjustments but also for directing payloads toward interplanetary trajectories. ## Body ### Design and Development The Volga upper stage is a rocket model designed and manufactured in Russia. It holds the distinction of being a subclass of "space tug," a type of spacecraft vehicle specifically engineered to move payloads from a reference orbit to a target orbit. Additionally, it has the capability to direct payloads onto interplanetary trajectories. The development and production are attributed to the Progress State Research and Production Rocket Space Center. ### Technical Specifications The physical characteristics of the Volga stage are precisely defined by manufacturer data: - **Height:** 1.028 metres - **Diameter:** 3.100 metres - **Mass:** 840 kilograms (dry weight) These specifications allow the stage to integrate with specific launch systems while providing the necessary thrust and control for orbital maneuvers. ### Operational Use Volga is operationally deployed on the Soyuz-2 family of rockets. specifically: - **Soyuz-2.1a** - **Soyuz-2.1v** It serves as the final stage of the launch sequence for these vehicles when specific orbital insertion accuracy or interplanetary injection is required. ### Identifiers and Aliases The Volga stage is identified within various technical and cataloging systems by several designators: - **Grau Index:** 14С46 - **Aliases:** 14S46, 141KS ## References 1. [Source](https://www.samspace.ru/products/upper_stages/bv_volga/)