More than 70 defective engines for the Proton rocket were discovered in Russia
All previously produced engines of the RD-0210/0211 and RD-0213/0214 series, intended for installation on the second and third stages of the Russian Proton-M rocket, will be re-assembled. This was stated by the General Director of the NPO Energomash, Igor Arbuzov, RIA Novosti reported.
"With regard to Protons, this concerns 71 engines or almost the whole reserve for the second and third stages. Presently, the schedule for the re-assembly is signed. A significant part of the work will be done in 2017 but we understand that inevitably some part of it will be left for 2018," he said. The first deliveries of the repaired units will begin in May.
Arbuzov also said that it is necessary "not to disrupt the schedule of launches under the Federal Space Program, launches in the interests of the Russian Defense Ministry and commercial launches." He also stressed that it would be crucial to provide the necessary groundwork so that delivery of new crews and cargo to the International Space Station would stay on schedule.
Previously, it was reported that precious metals from rocket engines were stolen in Russia. According to the media, this concerns dozens of engines for the Proton-M carrier rocket. Technical problems with engines surfaced during the test launch.