Soyuz U Vehicle Overview
A complete overview of the Soyuz U launch vehicle, including launch stats, vehicle info and launch locations.
Basic Info
Name
Soyuz U
Family
Soyuz
Manufacturer
First Launch
18 May 1973
Successful Launches
837
Failed Launches
22
Rocket Info (Soyuz-U-PVB)
Status
Inactive
Stages
2
Length
51 m
Diameter
3 m
Launch Mass
313 tons
Reusability
Not Reusable
Payload Info (Soyuz-U-PVB)
LEO Capacity
6,900 kg
The Soyuz-U launch vehicle was an improved version of the original Soyuz rocket. Soyuz-U was part of the R-7 family of rockets based on the R-7 Semyorka missile. Members of this rocket family were designed by the TsSKB design bureau and constructed at the Progress factory in Samara, Russia.
Launch Sites used by Soyuz U
Baikonur Cosmodrome
World's largest space launch facility, pivotal for Russian space missions.
Plesetsk Cosmodrome
Russian spaceport specialized in military satellites, known for high inclination and polar orbit launches.