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Russian Proton Launch Vehicle Engine Device

Russian Proton Launch Vehicle Engine Ignition System Device The Proton is probably the most well known Russian launch vehicle, and is currently the world's largest launch vehicle. The basic launch vehicle, known as the Proton-K, consists of a first-stage with six engines that are fed propellants from a single, centrally located oxidizer tank surrounded by six outer tanks. The second stage has four engines and the third stage has one-each of them similar in design. For geostationary or deep space launches, the Proton-K uses a fourth stage. The most common fourth stage is the Block DM (and its numerous sub-variants). The restartable Block DM allows the Proton-K to boost 4.7 to 4.9 tons into geostationary transfer orbit. Over the years, the 4-stage Proton-K has launched a wide array of important Soviet and Russian deep space and communications payloads. Three-stage versions of the Proton are used for launching heavy 20-ton payloads such as the Zvezda and Zarya modules of the International Space Station. In the 1970s and 1980s, all the major components of the Mir and Salyut space stations were launched by the three-stage Proton-K. This Proton engine ignition device is an extremely rare space artifact. Great museum exhibit.