Baikal (rocket booster)

The Baikal was a proposed reusable rocket booster stage designed by the Molniya Research and Industrial Corporation of Russia. It was intended to be used as a first stage booster for various launch vehicles, primarily the Angara family of rockets, with the aim of significantly reducing launch costs.

The Baikal booster was designed to detach from the main launch vehicle after completing its initial boost phase. Unlike traditional boosters that parachute down or are expendable, the Baikal would have been equipped with wings and jet engines. After separation, it would perform a powered flyback to a designated airfield, landing horizontally like a conventional aircraft. It could then be refurbished and reused for subsequent launches.

Key features of the Baikal design included:

• Reusability: The primary goal was to reduce launch costs through the reusability of the booster stage.
• Winged Flyback: Utilizing wings and jet engines for controlled atmospheric return.
• Horizontal Landing: Landing at a conventional airfield, simplifying recovery and refurbishment.
• Compatibility: Designed to be compatible with the Angara family of launch vehicles and potentially others.

Development of the Baikal booster faced significant funding challenges and was ultimately not brought to fruition. Despite not being implemented, the Baikal design remains a notable example of efforts to develop reusable rocket technology within the Russian space program. The concept contributed to ongoing research and development in reusable launch systems worldwide.