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Zenit Land Launch Series

The Zenit Land Launch series adapted the modernized Zenit two-stage base for commercial and government missions from Baikonur. Three-stage 3SLB vehicles used Block DM-SLB, while 3SLBF or 3F missions used Fregat-SB; the programme flew from 2008 through the final Zenit launch in 2017.

Zenit Land Launch Series
jurvetson · CC BY 2.0; the exact Wikimedia Commons record identifies jurvetson as the photographer/source of this byte-matched Zenit-3SL launch photograph, links the original Flickr record, and records that the CC BY 2.0 status was reviewed and confirmed. Credit jurvetson, link the source and licence, and indicate changes if modified. This licence does not grant trademark, logo, personality, or other third-party rights; do not imply photographer or Sea Launch endorsement. · Source
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Identity

Aliases
Zenit-3SLBZenit-3SLBFZenit-3FLand Launch Zenit
Family Name
Zenit
Full Name
Zenit Land Launch Series
Status
retired
Type
rocket
Variant Name
Land Launch

Details

Description
The Zenit Land Launch series adapted the modernized Zenit two-stage base for commercial and government missions from Baikonur. Three-stage 3SLB vehicles used Block DM-SLB, while 3SLBF or 3F missions used Fregat-SB; the programme flew from 2008 through the final Zenit launch in 2017.
Dimensions
Diameter
…
First Flight Year
2,008
Last Flight Year
2,017
Parent Vehicle Family
Propulsion Configurations
  • Entries
    • Count
      1
      Placement
      core
      Propulsion System
      Role
      main
      Stage
      first-stage
      Variant Notes
      One exact RD-171M first-stage engine.
    • Count
      1
      Placement
      core
      Propulsion System
      Role
      main
      Stage
      second-stage
      Variant Notes
      One exact RD-120 second-stage main engine.
    • Count
      1
      Placement
      core
      Propulsion System
      Role
      auxiliary
      Stage
      second-stage
      Variant Notes
      One exact RD-8 second-stage vernier engine.
    • Count
      1
      Placement
      upper
      Propulsion System
      Role
      upper-stage
      Stage
      third-stage
      Variant Notes
      One exact integrated Block DM-SLB upper stage; its internal 11D58M engine is not duplicated as a second installation entry.
    Name
    Zenit-3SLB Land Launch configuration
    Notes
    Exact Zenit-3SLB stack: RD-171M first-stage main engine, RD-120 second-stage main engine, RD-8 second-stage vernier engine, and Block DM-SLB third-stage integrated upper stage.
  • Entries
    • Count
      1
      Placement
      core
      Propulsion System
      Role
      main
      Stage
      first-stage
      Variant Notes
      One exact RD-171M first-stage engine.
    • Count
      1
      Placement
      core
      Propulsion System
      Role
      main
      Stage
      second-stage
      Variant Notes
      One exact RD-120 second-stage main engine.
    • Count
      1
      Placement
      core
      Propulsion System
      Role
      auxiliary
      Stage
      second-stage
      Variant Notes
      One exact RD-8 second-stage vernier engine.
    • Count
      1
      Placement
      upper
      Propulsion System
      Role
      upper-stage
      Stage
      third-stage
      Variant Notes
      One exact integrated Fregat-SB upper stage; it remains distinct from the existing Soyuz Fregat-MT record.
    Name
    Zenit-3SLBF / Zenit-3F Land Launch configuration
    Notes
    Exact Zenit-3SLBF/3F stack: the same RD-171M/RD-120/RD-8 Zenit core with Fregat-SB replacing Block DM-SLB as the third-stage integrated upper stage.
Rocket Specs
Reusability
expendable
Stages Count
3

Links

Official Url
https://yuzhmash.com/en/the-next-successful-lift-off-of-the-lv-zenit-took-place/
Wikipedia Url
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land_Launch

Assets & Meta

Creation Time
July 13, 2026 at 10:47:12 UTC
Updated Time
August 1, 2026 at 16:44:18 UTC
Image
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Zenit Land Launch Series - AeroVia